Guimarães Day Trip from Porto (+ Itinerary)
- Shal & James
- Nov 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 13
Craving a medieval fix? A Guimarães day trip from Porto serves up castles, cobblestones and the spot where Portugal quite literally began.
We grabbed the train to UNESCO-listed Guimarães — the birthplace of Portugal — and partied like it’s 1399! Think castles, cobbled lanes… and a scandalous history. In 1128, a son fought (and beat!) his mom here to kick-start the nation. Then in 1399, a cheeky illegitimate teen was crowned Duke, founding a dynasty that would rule Portugal (and Brazil) for nearly 300 years!
It’s charmingly medieval all year round, but go during one of its summer happenings and you’ll find the streets brimming with locals in costume, honey beer flowing, and lute players weaving through a blur of medieval food stalls.
CONTENTS
We’ve included opening hours, prices with currency conversions based on current exchange rates, and what we paid to help with planning—but things can change (things to do, hotels, the lot), so it’s always worth double checking to dodge any last-minute surprises.
12 BEST THINGS TO DO IN GUIMARAES
Things to do on a Guimarães day trip from Porto in order of photos above. *We meant to see theses four sights (not pictured above)… but got happily sidetracked by honey beer, medieval musicians, and street performers at the Afonsina Fair. Priorities, right?
1) PARTY LIKE IT'S 1399
Late Jun + 1st weekend Aug
Free
From jousts and street performers at the Afonsina Fair in late June to the Festas Gualterianas — held on the first weekend of August since 1452 — Guimarães keeps its medieval spirit alive all summer. We went to the Afonsina Fair and were utterly charmed by how this medieval town transformed into what felt like a film set — craftsmen at work, musicians playing, and guards standing watch over the palace.
2) PALACE OF THE DUKES OF BRAGANZA
Daily 10AM - 6PM; last entry 5:30PM
€8 pp; converted: £7 / US$9 (reduced pricing during the partial closure of the Ducal Palace)
Even though the Ducal Palace is currently getting a bit of a facelift — with no end date in sight — it’s still absolutely worth a wander. Those 39 pointy chimneys alone look like something straight out of a medieval chessboard. Built in the early 1400s by Dom Afonso, the (illegitimate but evidently well-funded) son of King João I, the palace once hosted royals, mistresses, and more than a few whispers of scandal. Inside, it’s part museum, part treasure trove — all soaring halls, Flemish tapestries, carved furniture, and gleaming suits of armour. And if you want the best view of those fairytale rooftops, climb up to Guimarães Castle just above — but don’t forget to buy your ticket first at the palace.
3) GUIMARAES CASTLE
Daily 10AM - 6PM; last entry 5:30PM
Entry included in the Ducal Palace ticket
Don’t forget to grab your ticket at the Ducal Palace (above) before heading up to Guimarães Castle — affectionately known as the “Cradle of the Nation.” Built in the 10th century, this fortress is believed to be where Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s very first king, was born and raised. It was here that he later rallied troops for the Battle of São Mamede in 1128 — a family feud that quite literally shaped a country. By 1139, Afonso had crowned himself king, setting Portugal on its path to independence. No wonder locals treat this castle like a national treasure — it’s where the whole story began
4) LARGO DA OLIVEIRA
24/7
Free
The beating heart of Guimarães with medieval arcades and cafés — legend says an olive tree here sprouted from a wooden cross carried back from the Holy Land.
5) PRACA DE SANTIAGO
24/7
Free
A neighbouring square known for its medieval charm and lively open-air cafés.
6) CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF OLIVE TREE
Daily ~9AM - 6PM
Free
Gothic beauty rebuilt after a miracle during the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota.
7) RUA DE SANTA MARIA
24/7
Free
The oldest street in town — nobles ordered their houses built here to be close to the castle.
8) ALBERTO SAMPAIO MUSEUM*
Tue-Sun 10AM - 6PM
€5 pp + €1 pp for the cloister; converted: £4.38 + £0.88 / US$5.76 + $1.15
Expect cloisters, relics, and gilded surprises at the Alberto Sampaio Museum — don’t miss the 14th-century tunic said to be worn by King João I at Aljubarrota.
9) CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS*
Tue-Sat 9:30AM - 12PM + 3-5PM; Sun 9:30AM - 1PM
Free
Tucked behind the medieval bustle of Guimarães’ old town, the Igreja de São Francisco still holds the Gothic apse of its Franciscan origins in 1400 and then blings out in Baroque glory with gilded woodwork and vivid azulejo scenes. Worth a detour for the architecture fan — and an ideal calm moment between castle and palace stops.
10) SANTOS PASSOS CHURCH
Mon-Sat 7:30AM - 12PM + 3-5PM; Sun 7:30AM - 12PM
Free (Couple of euros gets you the relics and bird's eye view of the formal gardens)
Twin towers framed by formal gardens, Igreja de São Gualter is a gothic-meets-Baroque beauty dedicated to Guimarães’ patron saint, a Franciscan friar who became something of a local celebrity. Originally founded in the 13th century and rebuilt around 1400 under King João I, the church blends its medieval bones with gilded altars, blue-and-white azulejos, and a serene cloister.
11) MONTE DE PENHA*
Daily 10AM - 6PM
€7.50 pp return; converted: £6.58 / US$8.64
Just a 10-minute cable-car ride from Guimarães, this granite-studded mountain swaps medieval streets for mossy boulders, woodland trails, and sweeping views. At its peak sits the Sanctuary of Penha, a serene pilgrimage church framed by sky-high viewpoints and picnic-perfect gardens
12) CITY WALLS*
24/7
Free
Once encircling the medieval town, these weathered granite ramparts still guard bits of Portugal’s origin story. Wander along their shadowed lanes and you’ll stumble upon the iconic inscription “Aqui nasceu Portugal” (“Portugal was born here”) — a proud reminder that this is where the nation took its first breath.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN GUIMARAES
BUXA
This spot sits right on Largo da Oliveira, where we snagged a patio table and spent lunch watching the square buzz with medieval fanfare. Because we visited during the Afonsina Fair, Buxa's terrace was decked out like a 14th-century film set — banners fluttering, minstrels wandering, and the odd jester rolling by on a gigantic ball. We both went for the cod with cornbread, one of their specialties — beautifully flavoured but quite the excavation project. Based on our experience we recommend going for a chicken or meat dish if you're not keen on navigating many tiny fish bones.
COR DE TANGERINA
Perched right beside the castle walls, Cor de Tangerina is Guimarães’ answer to slow, sustainable dining — and even for non-vegetarians, the menu looks downright tempting. Think colourful, organic dishes made from seasonal produce grown on their own farm, served in a rustic-chic space that spills out onto a leafy terrace. If we hadn’t been happily distracted by the medieval fanfare in the main square, this would’ve been our pick for a long, lazy lunch.
HISTORICO BY PAPABOA
If you have your heart set on sampling traditional Portuguese fare, then you may want to check out Histórico by Papaboa set on a leafy terrace overlooking a quiet square. The menu puts a modern spin on Portuguese comfort food (the cod with cornbread is also a specialty here).
BEST TIME TO VISIT GUIMARAES
The best time to visit Guimarães really depends on your mood — and your tolerance for crowds in doublets and chainmail. Spring (April–June) is glorious for mild weather and blooming gardens, while late June brings the Afonsina Fair, a full-blown medieval fair where the whole city transforms into the 12th century. August is another lively pick thanks to the Festas Gualterianas, Guimarães’ biggest religious celebration. But if you’d rather explore its cobbled lanes and castle views without the fanfare, autumn offers golden light, quieter streets, and plenty of time to linger over vinho verde.
STEAL OUR GUIMARAES DAY TRIP ITINERARY
For all the juicy details for each sight—think entry fees, opening times, and our recommendations—return to the section 12 Best Things to Do in Guimarães. It’s all there, neatly bundled and ready to make your planning a breeze.
10:25AM Train from Porto São Bento to Guimarães
11:45AM Explore squares, churches and city walls
1:30PM Lunch
2:30PM Visit the Duke of Braganza Palace and Guimarães Castle
4:00PM Browse the shops + soak up the Afonsina Fair / Festas Gualterianas festivities if in town for them
6:35PM Train from Guimarães to Porto São Bento
HOW TO GET TO GUIMARAES
Grab the train from Porto São Bento to Guimarães — it’s a breezy hour and twelve minutes, just long enough to sip a coffee, watch the Douro fade into rolling green hills, and wonder why more people don’t do this easy day trip.
HOW TO GET AROUND GUIMARAES
100% walkable.
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