Private Day Tour
Where Portugal's Story Began Eight Centuries Ago
Private Day Tour
Afonso Henriques declared himself first King of Portugal from this hilltop in the 12th century. The UNESCO-listed medieval city he left behind is one of the finest and most authentically preserved historic centres in the country.
Duration
Around 7 hours
Vehicle
Luxury Mercedes minivan
Format
Fully private
Distance
50 km from Porto
Private Day Tour
1–3 pax
€385
4–7 pax
€440
per vehicle
Full-day Braga & Guimarães tour, with lunch included. Price per vehicle, 1–3 or 4–7 passengers (2026/2027 rate card).
Book Your Guimarães Tour"Aqui nasceu Portugal" - Here Portugal was born. The inscription on Guimarães Castle says it all. This is where Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born in 1110 and from where he launched the Reconquista that would shape a nation. Today, the beautifully preserved medieval city - recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site - brings that extraordinary history vividly to life.
The 10th-century castle that watched over the birth of Portugal stands proud on a hilltop, its eight square towers and sturdy keep remarkably intact after a thousand years. Climb the battlements for sweeping views over the city and surrounding countryside, and feel the weight of history in a fortress that shaped a nation's destiny.
One of the most important examples of medieval civil architecture in Portugal, this vast 15th-century palace was meticulously restored in the 20th century and now serves as an official presidential residence. Its distinctive conical chimneys are instantly recognisable, and the interior - hung with Flemish tapestries and furnished with period pieces - offers a vivid window into ducal life.
Guimarães' UNESCO-listed old town is one of the best-preserved medieval urban landscapes in Europe. Wander the Rua de Santa Maria, lined with Romanesque-era houses and granite arcades, or linger in the Largo da Oliveira, where the Gothic canopy of the church creates a timeless scene. The streets here are essentially unchanged from the 15th century.
Rising 617 metres above Guimarães, the granite summit of Penha is scattered with enormous boulders, a Romanesque chapel, and a Carmelite monastery - and commands extraordinary views across the Minho. Take the cable car for a panoramic ride up the wooded slopes, or walk the trails through heather and moss-covered rock gardens to reach the top.
The Day in Guimaraes
A 50-minute drive brings you to the city where Portugal began. The day combines the hilltop medieval monuments with the living medieval streets of the historic centre and the panoramic heights of Monte da Penha.
Morning
The 10th-century castle is closely linked to the founding of Portugal. The small Romanesque chapel of Sao Miguel do Castelo - where Afonso Henriques is said to have been baptised - stands just below the ramparts. Both are free to visit and deeply atmospheric.
Late morning
The 15th-century palace of the Dukes of Braganca is the finest example of medieval civil architecture in Portugal, its distinctive chimneys visible from across the city. Inside, extraordinary medieval furniture, tapestries, ceramics, and weapons tell the story of the dynasty that would eventually rule all of Portugal.
Midday
Lunch and exploration in the UNESCO historic centre - Largo da Oliveira with its collegiate church, Praca de Santiago, and the graceful medieval streets with their iron balconies and vine-covered archways. One of the most beautiful old town centres in Portugal.
Afternoon
A cable car ride (optional) brings you to the hilltop sanctuary of Penha, where granite boulders rise from ancient forest and the views stretch across the Minho to the Geres mountains. A completely different atmosphere from the medieval centre below.
Evening
We return you to Porto in the early evening.
Good to Know
A few practical details to help you plan your visit to the birthplace of Portugal.
The exterior and ramparts of Guimaraes Castle are free to visit. The small chapel of Sao Miguel do Castelo also has no entry fee. The Palace of the Dukes next door has a small ticket price.
Yes. Our full-day Braga & Guimaraes tour combines the Castle and historic centre of Guimaraes with Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga and lunch included - ask us for the combined-day rate.
Guimaraes holds the EU's European Green Capital designation for 2026, recognising its environmental and sustainability commitments alongside its extraordinary heritage.
The cable car to Monte da Penha is optional and has a small fee payable on the day. Your guide will recommend it if weather and time allow - the views are exceptional.
Guimaraes is beautiful year-round. Summer brings festivals and the medieval market. Autumn and spring offer the best weather with fewer visitors.
A day in Guimarães is a journey to the very origins of a nation
Book Your Guimarães Tour