Tours & Activities in Guimaraes
The proud birthplace of Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first independent king (born here in 1110, he later used the city to launch the main Reconquest drive against the Moors), and thus the Portuguese kingdom.
Guimarães has beautifully preserved its illustrious past, its medieval center a maze of streets and picturesque squares framed by 14th-century buildings , while on an adjacent hill stands a 1,000-year-old castle and the enormous palace built by the first Duke of Braganza in the fifteenth century.
Guimarães' glory was recognized in 2001 , when Unesco declared its old center as a World Heritage Site. In 2012, the city was the European Capital of Culture, which has given it a more creative edge.
Itinerary:
- Padrão do Salado
- Oliveira Church
- Santa Maria Street
- Mumadona Dias Square
- Guimarães Castle
- Church of S. Miguel
- Paço dos Duques de Bragança
- Largo do Carmo
- Rua das Trinas
- Santiago Square
- Largo da Misericórdia
- Largo do Toural
- Alfândega Tower
Discover the city of Guimarães with visits organized by Minho Free Walking Tours. The visits to the city center are carried out every day at the available times, according to the previous reservation in GuruWalk.
Look for the guides with the green umbrella. Our team is made up of local, interested and enthusiastic guides, who provide the visitor with unique experiences and promote the history, culture, legends and traditions, as well as the gastronomy of their city.
Our tours can be booked for free, and as it is a free paid tour, at the end of the tour the traveler can pay what he considers our work was worth.
In our Guimarães Essential Free Tour we will tour the entire historic center of the city, from the most notable monuments such as the Oliveira Church and the Padrón del Salado, to the most picturesque corners such as the Viela da Arrouchela, all with the help of expert guides in local history.
Our tour begins in front of the Alfándega Tower, on which a phrase that defines Guimarães is written: Here Portugal was born. Throughout the tour we will unravel the turbulent medieval history of this city to clarify how much truth there is in that statement.
After visiting the Largo do Toural, we will enter the old walled space of Guimarães and walk through its most iconic streets, such as Rua da Rainha Maria II, until we reach the Oliveira and Santiago squares, meeting ancient palaces, churches and buildings along the way. gardens.
Next, we will ascend to the most monumental space in the city, where we will find the Palace of the Dukes of Bragaça, the Guimarães Castle and the sculpture of the first king of Portugal, Alfonso I, before which we will end our visit.
Embark on a journey where time folds, revealing the soul of a nation in the streets of Guimarães. Our Guimarães Free Walking Tour isn't just a stroll; it's a leap into the heart of Portugal's birth, a saga of over 3,000 years spun into a day of discovery. From the stirring whispers of Vimara Peres at the historic República do Brasil Square to the echoes of ancient legends at the imposing Guimarães Castle, every step uncovers a layer of the past, inviting you to live the stories that shaped a nation.
Our odyssey commences at the Historic República do Brasil Square, a testament to the city's foundational lore. Here, the saga of Vimara Peres, the revered warrior and administrator appointed by King Alfonso III of Asturias, sets the stage. It's not just a tale of conquest but of the genesis of a nation, where you'll feel the pulse of history that beats at the core of Guimarães.
As we tread the path less traveled, the São Francisco Church emerges as a beacon of spiritual and communal life, its stones steeped in the prayers of the Franciscan Order. Nearby, the remnants of the leather industry in the Zona dos Couros whisper of a time when Guimarães thrummed with artisanal prowess, a city at the vanguard of industrialization, where the legacy of craftsmanship and commerce melded with everyday life.
Winding our way to Largo do Toural, the very soul of Guimarães pulses underfoot. The inscription "Aqui Nasceu Portugal" is not just a statement but a proclamation of identity, etched into the fabric of the city. Each step through the historic center is a step back in time, with the medieval squares revealing layers of history, each with its own melody, its own rhythm.
The Largo da Oliveira is where history and legend intertwine, a square dominated by the Gothic Padrão do Salado shrine and the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira church. Here, the stories are as rich and varied as the architecture, from the heroics of Mumadona Dias to the legendary battles that have seared Guimarães into the heart of Portuguese identity.
Our journey then weaves through the enchanting Rua de Santa Maria, a thoroughfare that has borne witness to centuries of footsteps, leading us to the stoic Guimarães Castle. This fortress, perched majestically atop Mount Lalito, is a chronicle of stone, a testament to mythical battles, ancient legends, and the birthplace of a nation. The tales of King Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first monarch, come alive here, amidst the battlements that have watched over the city for a thousand years.
But Guimarães is not just a city of the past; it's a living museum where history and modernity converge. The Alameda Public Garden, with its lush vistas, offers a tranquil respite from the city's medieval heart, while Mount Penha, accessible by a scenic cable car ride, provides panoramic views that stretch across the horizon, a literal and metaphorical high point of our tour.
No visit to Guimarães would be complete without delving into the regal grandeur of the Duques de Bragança Palace, a masterpiece of architectural beauty and historical significance. Here, the opulence of the Portuguese nobility is on full display, a reminder of the city's enduring influence on the cultural and political fabric of the country.
As we navigate the cobbled streets, each turn reveals another layer of Guimarães' rich tapestry. From the Baroque splendor along Rainha D. Maria II Street to the historical insights around the Church of São Francisco, every landmark tells a story, every vista invites contemplation.
Join our Guimarães Free Walking Tour for an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of time. This is not just a tour; it's a journey into the heart of Portugal, an exploration of its very soul, where the legends of yesteryear are the companions of today. With insider tips and recommendations woven into the narrative, your time in Guimarães will be as enriching as it is unforgettable.
Let us guide you through this historical marvel, where every stone, every street, and every monument is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Portugal. Witness the blend of history, culture, and legend that makes Guimarães a city like no other. Join us, and take home memories as enduring as the stones of the castle, as sweet as the pastries of Largo da Oliveira, and as proud as the inscription at Largo do Toural. This is the essence of Guimarães, the heart of Portugal.
Discover enchanted and magical Guimarães !
Do you want to get to know the heart of Portugal? Join our Free Walking Tour in Guimarães and explore the cradle of the nation in a unique and exciting way.
This tour stands out because in addition to the rich historical and cultural information, we will delight you with local legends, mystical stories and fascinating symbols that you will only learn with us.
The tour will start at the Torre da Alfândega and pass through several highlights such as the Jardim da Alameda, Zona de Couros and its mysticism, Igreja e Convento de S. Francisco, Largo da República do Brasil and Igreja de S. Gualter, walk inside the wall and Museu Alberto Sampaio, Court and history of Mumadona Dias, Jardim do Carmo and its legends, Paço dos Duques, Capela de S. Miguel, Castelo, ru to Santa Maria, Praça De Santiago and its symbols, Praça da Oliveira and Padrão do Salado, rua da Rainha and the Porta da Vila until finishing at the famous Largo do Toural.
Don't miss the opportunity to discover Guimarães like never before!
Your historical and mystical adventure awaits you, reserve your place today and live an unforgettable experience in Guimarães !
Who is San Torcuato? Do you know that the story of Guimarães is also the story of the four trees? Do you know what they are?
Did you know that Guimarães was founded by a Galician lady? What was her name? Do you know that one of the first Portuguese archaeologists was born in Guimarães and discovered a place full of treasures?
Here you have the most complete tour of Guimaraes!
What will we see?
- Largo da Oliveira
- Church of Oliveira
- Street of Santa Maria
- (to taste a convent sweet)
- Mumadona Dias Square
- Church of Santa Cruz
- Guimaraes Castle
- Church of St. Michael
- Palace of the Dukes of Bragança
- Largo do Carmo
- Rua das Trinas
- Praca dos Laranjais
- Santiago Square
- Viela of S. Crispim
- Largo da Misericórdia
- Largo do Toural
- Alfandega Tower
- Couros area
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação and dos Santos Passos.
We will answer these and other questions in this tour, which is the most complete in Guimarães! It lasts three hours and includes visits to places that are not normally known by visitors. Are you ready for the adventure? Book this tour and get to know Guimarães in depth with a local guide!
