Authentic Braga & Guimarães Historical Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Braga's historic center
- Visit Guimarães Castle
- Discover the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte
- Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch
- Taste authentic green wine
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Braga and Guimarães
- Lunch featuring local cuisine
- Tasting of green wine
- Personal expenses
Itinerary
Pass by: Upon arrival in Guimarães, we begin our tour in the upper part of the city, where the Guimarães Castle is located. Our guide will tell you about Portugal's early history as you pass Portugal's oldest medieval castle and begin the descent into the city center.
This church dates back to the 13th century and is currently classified as a national monument. It is a building built in the Romanesque style, which was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century according to its original appearance. There is a legend associated with this church, according to which the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, was baptized here.
Pass by: This palace dates back to the beginning of the 15th century and its construction was ordered by D. Afonso (son of King D. João I) at the time of his marriage to D. Constança de Noronha. Over the years it served several purposes, causing wear and tear. At the beginning of the 20th century, the restoration of the palace began. It is classified as a national monument and currently serves as a museum, displaying works of tapestry, furniture, Chinese porcelain and paintings.
Along the descent to the residential area of the city, we will pass through Rua de Santa Maria, one of the first streets in Guimarães, which served as the main connection between the convent of D. Mumadona Dias, the residential area and the Castle.
This is a social square for the inhabitants of Guimarães, where you can find restaurants, bars and terraces, surrounded by the city's typical architecture. According to the legend, the name of the square is due to the apostle James who, on a pilgrimage, left an image of the Virgin Mary here. A church was built there in the 12th century, which was demolished in the 19th century.
Largo da Oliveira is one of the most emblematic and historic squares in Guimarães, Portugal. Its name comes from an ancient olive tree that symbolizes peace and tradition. This place has been the scene of significant events over the centuries, including medieval courts and crucial moments in the formation of Portugal as a nation.
In addition to the church, Largo da Oliveira is known for the Padrão do Salado, a monument that celebrates the victory of D. Afonso IV over the Moors in the battle of Salado in 1340.
From Largo da Oliveira you can see the church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira - Colegiada de Guimarães, whose origins date back to a monastery founded in the first half of the 10th century by Countess Mumadona Dias. The current church was built in 1387 by order of King D. João I, following models of Gothic architecture.
Braga Cathedral is one of the most emblematic and historic monuments in Portugal. Located in the city of Braga, this Catholic cathedral is a testament to the country's cultural and religious richness. Its construction dates back to the end of the 11th century, having been sacred and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop D. Pedro in 10891. The Braga Cathedral is considered the first Portuguese cathedral, built several decades before the founding of the nation itself.
The Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary is a jewel of the religious architecture and landscaping, located in Braga. With over 600 years of history, this site of Christian pilgrimage is a notable example of the European Sacri Monti, created after the Council of Trent in the 16th century. The sanctuary's Via Crucis, which winds up the mountainside, is made up of chapels, fountains and sculptures representing the Passion of Christ, culminating in the neoclassical church built between 1784 and 1811. The Staircase of the Five Senses, a baroque work, is a of the most emblematic elements of the set, symbolizing the human senses through fountains and statues. Bom Jesus do Monte was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2019, standing out for its harmonious integration with the natural landscape and its cultural and spiritual importance. The sanctuary offers panoramic views of Braga and is a testament to the religious tradition and influence of the Catholic Church in the region.
The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro, or simply Santuário do Sameiro, is one of the most important places of Marian worship in Portugal, located in the city of Braga. Founded on June 14, 1863 by Father Martinho António Pereira da Silva, the sanctuary is a symbol of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Sameiro is the second largest Marian pilgrimage center in Portugal, after the Sanctuary of Fátima, and is a place that attracts not only devotees, but also tourists, due to its rich history and its privileged location at the top of the mountain, at 566 meters of altitude. It offers a spectacular view over the city of Braga and the surrounding landscape.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
- Minimum booking of two people required for the tour to proceed.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
- Bring a camera to capture the scenic views and historic sites.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Travel time is already included with the total tour duration.
- Green wine - legal age to drink is 18 years old and above
Traveler reviews
Great experience-loaded with history
Ivo was a very personable and knowledgeable tour guide. Our tour occurred when the area was experiencing an extreme heat wave and we were traveling with an elderly family member. Ivo was able to adapt our tour to ensure my Mom got an excellent experience despite not being able to walk for long periods of time in the extreme heat. The tour itself was fantastic, with many sites being firsts for us and Ivo explained the history of the sites while also providing insight into the local culture. Great experience. We’re very happy that we chose this tour.
Beauty outside Porto
Diana is very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information on local history and culture. She always made sure to answer all our questions. We also enjoyed the free time in Braga and Guimaraes which are very beautiful. I recommend this tour to anyone interested in learning more about Portugal and its many traditions in a more personalized setting.
Oporto Road Trips - Braga and Guimaraes
Excellent trip. Communication with company was quick and easy (email/whatsapp). Our tour guide, Diana was fabulous, accommodating (2 older couples), friendly and very knowledgeable. We had a great day exploring Braga and Guimarães. Suggestion for lunch was appreciated and a great choice! Highly recommend Oporto Road Trips (if you can ask for Diana, but I am sure all guides are good). We would not have been able to see and do as much driving ourselves, this was good value for money and very enjoyable.
A day steeped in Portugal’s history
It was very informative. Our guide, Cheila, conveyed a lot if great information about the sights on our tour. She made the day very enjoyable by getting to know us and providing enough information so we could enjoy our free time on the tour. We highly recommend her.
Would not book again
This experience left a lot to be desired. The guide was knowledgeable enough to narrate on the way to each stop, but his delivery was lackluster and oddly dismissive — frequently questioning the historical accuracy of the very sites he was showing us rather than sharing their significance or the stories behind them. There were also a few awkward moments where he’d point out additional things to see, only to follow it up with the fact that we hadn’t paid for those tickets and didn’t have time anyway. The highlight of the entire day was honestly the lunch we found on our own. If you’re looking for a truly educational and engaging tour experience, I’d skip this one.