How To Reach Guimaraes

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Guimaraes is widely considered to be the birthplace or the home of the evolution of Portugal as a country. The rich and diverse history of this tiny city is a major draw for tourists from all over the world. The city is equally easy to reach via road or rail services, the latter of which tends to be a bit more popular, owing to the more relaxed journey and affordable ticket prices. For international travellers the only way to reach is by flying to Porto Airport and then catching an inter-connecting train, bus or taxi service. Venturing around Guimaraes locally is also relatively easy, with exploration on foot being the recommended form of travel. There are additional bike rental services and tour bus services for visitors to choose from. 

The best and most convenient way to reach Guimaraes via air is by flying down to Francisco Sa Caneiro Airport in Porto and then taking a connecting bus or taxi service. The journey from Porto takes approximately an hour long and is quite scenic as well. Having no local airport of its own Porto is both the closest and best-connected airport option. There are several daily flights connecting it to multiple destinations across Portugal and the rest of the world. 

This is one of the best ways to reach Guimaraes for local visitors. There are multiple direct bus connections between Porto and the city for people to choose from. They are highly affordable and tickets can be purchased either in-person or online. The journey is about 55 km and takes just over an hour. Alternatively, there are private and public taxi services for visitors looking for a more private experience. The inter-connected highway system in Portugal is extremely efficient and easy to use. 

The journey by train is an even more popular way to reach Guimaraes. The journey time works out a little longer but is a more comfortable and and affordable one. The Portugese Railway Company is the go-to service provider and there are hourly trains departing from Porto for Guimaraes. The railway networks are well-connected to majority of the other major cities in and around Portugal. The journey from Lisbon to Guimaraes via train is nearly 4 hours long. Hence, using Porto as a transit destination is the best option. 

Being such a small city, getting in and around Guimaraes locally is relatively easy and hassle-free. There is an inter-city bus service that takes visitors on a quick tour of the best sights and sounds in Guimaraes and tickets for these tour busses can be purchased on reaching the city or online, depending on visitors preferences. Additionally, it is recommended to scale the city on foot as it is the ideal way to soak in its beauty. Being small in size, all the best places can easily be reached via short walk.