Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto

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9 hours (approx.)

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Overview

The Minho region is an old Portuguese province and its located in the North of Portugal. Minho is known for its green landscapes, crossed by affluent rivers, and the biodiversity enriches the views for those who visit Minho. The region presents a big coastal zone with beautiful beaches.

The full-day Tour to Minho gives you the opportunity to visit the region and two cities: Guimaraes and Braga. Travel through the Minho and visit the historical centers of these two cities learning about Portuguese history in the process.

What's Included

Admission Ticket at Guimarães Castle
Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)
Admission ticket at Braga's Cathedral
Confortable transportation on a Minibus with A/C
Professional Guide

Gratuities
Personal expenses
Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
Lunch

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Calçada de Vandoma
4000 Porto, Portugal

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Porto (Pass By)

You will meet you guide at our Meeting Point near S. Bento Train Station and he will drive you to Braga, our first stop. On your way to the Minho Region, your guide will give you insights regarding the Portuguese history, development and cultural facts of portuguese heritage.

Bom Jesus Funicular

Famous for religious reasons but also for its architecture, the famous staircase and being the cause of the vertical tram, an amazing piece of 19th century engineering. This was the first of its kind to be installed in Portugal in 1882 and still uses its water powered system to power the 300 meter ramp in just 3min. The church was built by Carlos Amarante, who gave it an Italian-inspired neo-classical design that harmoniously blends into the landscape of northern Portugal. The staircase leading to the top contains 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style decorations along themes: Stations of the Cross, Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments and at the top, the eight biblical figures that contributed to Jesus' condemnation. Any visitor must take in the view from the bottom of the staircase. Facing up are the ornate granite fountains on the various landings and the white chalice-like outline on which the church itself "sits".

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Se de Braga

The first cathedral, older than Portugal.The Cathedral of Braga was the first Portuguese cathedral, erected several decades before the founding of the country. It began to be built at the end of the 11th century, and was concecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop Pedro in a solemn session on August 28, 1089. Competing in power with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and is the jewel of the city. D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of the first king of Portugal, are buried in the Chapel of Kings.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Braga

It's now time for a break. Enjoy some free time to explore Braga at your own pace or grab a bite to eat. Discover the city's charming streets, shops, and local attractions.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Guimaraes

Afterwards, we will go on a short drive to Guimarães: Is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Guimaraes Castle

The castle´s presence evokes the exciting mixture of legend, poetry and heroism that surrounds the beginning of Portuguese history. On this Monte Largo (Broad Hill), the nucleus of the future nation of Portugal was first developed.In circa 968, Mumadona, the countess of Galicia, ordered a castle to be built on this site, where the population could seek refuge from the constant attacks unleashed upon them by the hordes of Vikings, who arrived by sea from the north of Europe, and the Muslims, who made raids from the territories that they occupied to the south.On taking over the governorship of the province known as Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of León, Count Henry ordered another larger and more solid construction to be built. This represented the beginning of the important defensive structure that we can now see today, dominated by the square keep that stands between the four towers guarding each of the four corners of the walls.Although this is not strictly documented, it is very likely that the building that stands against the inner part of the northern wall was the residence of Count Henry and the birthplace of his son Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo

The small church of S. Miguel do Castelo was built in the 13th century. However, according to tradition, this church would have been built in the 12th century by Count Dom Henrique (Henry of Burgundy), where he would have baptised his son, the 1st King of Portugal Dom Afonso Henriques.Of Romanic style and reduced dimensions, this church reveals great simplicity in terms of decoration. Inside, under the floor of this church lie buried the great warriors of the nation’s founding period.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Centro Historico de Guimaraes

The historical centre in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. The city still has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow streets, paving slabs smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. For a moment you might imagine yourself to be in a mediaeval setting, where the nobility built their houses over time, such as the Mota Prego house, the Vila Flor and Toural palaces, and the many others that give Guimarães its unique atmosphere.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Specialized infant seats are available
Duration: the hours of duration are approximate 9 hours, The Tour is subject to local traffic, visit schedules, etc
Please kindly note that access that the castle of Guimaraes has limited access and the access to the walls are now prohibited.

Tours are usually in one language, but a second language may be used.
Group size maximum capacity is 27 people.
Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Our Free Walking Tour is available on a daily basis, in English and Spanish, at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. departing from Living Tours Agency located in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira 352, 4050-418 Porto
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 27 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WEST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025