Guimarães is a city and municipality located in Northern Portugal, in the Braga district. Popular among tourists as a day-trip destination from Porto, it’s commonly referred to as the “Birthplace of Portugal” or the “Cradle City” (in Portuguese, “Berço de Portugal” or “Cidade Berço”)!
The historic center of Guimarães has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, making the city one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Guimarães was also the European Capital of Culture in 2012, together with Maribor in Slovenia!
So, do you want to know more about 1 Day In Guimarães: The Perfect Guimarães Itinerary? Keep reading!
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- Brief History of Guimarães
- Visiting Guimarães
- Guimarães Itinerary
- Map of the Guimarães Itinerary
- More Posts about Portugal
- More Posts about Travel Itineraries
- More Posts about World Heritage
- Where Do I Make My Reservations?
- More Posts about Portugal
- More Posts about Travel Itineraries
- More Posts about World Heritage
- Where Do I Make My Reservations?
- What Photography Gear Do I Use?
- What Photography Gear Do I Use?
Brief History of Guimarães
As I said before, Guimarães is widely known (and promoted) as the “Birthplace of Portugal”. This is because the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques or Afonso I of Portugal, was born here between 1106 and 1111 – hence the sign “Aqui nasceu Portugal” (or “Portugal was born here”, in English).


Moreover, the “Cradle City’s” historical importance is due to the Battle of São Mamede (in Portuguese, Batalha de São Mamede) – which took place on June 24th, 1128 in the vicinity of Guimarães and is considered the seminal event for the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal and its independence.

The city was settled in the 9th century and then called Vimaranis in honor of Vímara Peres, a nobleman who designated this area as the main government seat for the County of Portugal after conquering it for the Kingdom of Galicia.
World Heritage
Did you know that the Historic Center of Guimarães was part of Portugal’s eighth set of inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List? This 25th session of the World Heritage Committee took place in Helsinki (Finland), between December 11th and 16th, 2001.
Only one other Portuguese site was announced in the session: the Alto Douro Wine Region.
Nowadays, Portugal is the ninth country in Europe and the eighteenth country in the world with the most UNESCO sites, tied with Czechia and Poland. It has seventeen heritage assets (both cultural and natural) inscribed on the world list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
In the meantime, I’ve already had the opportunity to visit fourteen of them:
- Alto Douro Wine Region (2001)
- Convent of Christ in Tomar (1983)
- Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995) – Chalet of the Countess of Edla, Convent of the Capuchos, Moorish Castle, National Palace of Pena, National Palace of Sintra, Palace of Monserrate, Quinta da Regaleira, Villa Sassetti
- Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications (2012)
- Historic Center of Évora (1986)
- Historic Center of Guimarães and Couros Zone (2001, 2023)
- Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge, and Monastery of Serra do Pilar (1996)
- Monastery of Alcobaça (1989)
- Monastery of Batalha (1983)
- Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983)
- Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley (1998, 2010)
- Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden, and Hunting Park (Tapada) (2019)
- Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (2019)
- University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (2012)
Visiting Guimarães
The best way to visit the city of Guimarães is on a day trip from Porto. To get there from the capital of Northern Portugal, you have two options: travel by car (around 57 km) or public transportation (35 minutes by bus and 1 hour by suburban train).
However, Guimarães is also an excellent stop on a road trip through the Ave sub-region or the Braga district! In that case, I suggest you explore other destinations in the vicinity: Vizela (10 km), Fafe (13 km), Póvoa de Lanhoso (21 km), Braga (25 km), Vila Nova de Famalicão (29 km), Amares (35 km), Vieira do Minho (35 km), Cabeceiras de Basto (37 km), Celorico de Basto (37 km), or Vila Verde (38 km).
Guimarães Itinerary
Castelo de Guimarães
This Guimarães itinerary begins at the famous Guimarães Castle or Castle of Saint Mammes (in Portuguese, Castelo de Guimarães or Castelo de São Mamede), which is directly linked to Portugal’s foundation as a sovereign and independent nation!

Being the most visited medieval castle in Portugal, and one of the most beautiful and important castles of the country, Guimarães Castle has been recognized as a National Monument since 1881, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal since 2007!
Read my guide to Guimarães Castle, a must-see tourist attraction on any Guimarães itinerary!
Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo
The next stop in this Guimarães itinerary is the Church of São Miguel do Castelo or Church of Saint Michael of the Castle (in Portuguese, Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo), a religious temple where it’s believed King Afonso Henriques or King Afonso I of Portugal was baptized.

The Church of São Miguel do Castelo was first mentioned in 1226 and its consecration occurred in 1229. Designed in the Romanesque style, this medieval church is also called the Church of Santa Margarida do Castelo or Church of Saint Daisy of the Castle (in Portuguese, Igreja de Santa Margarida do Castelo).
Paço dos Duques de Bragança
This Guimarães itinerary continues at the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (in Portuguese, Paço dos Duques de Bragança), a ducal palace mainly inhabited in the 15th century. It is considered a unique architectural example in the Iberian Peninsula!

The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza was commissioned by Dom Afonso, around 1420 – the year of his second marriage to Constança de Noronha. Dom Afonso was the illegitimate son of King João I and accumulated the titles of 8th Count of Barcelos, 2nd Count of Neiva, and 1st Duke of Braganza!
Read my guide to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a must-see tourist attraction on any Guimarães itinerary!
Igreja e Convento de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
The next stop in this Guimarães itinerary is the Church and Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (in Portuguese, Igreja e Convento de Nossa Senhora do Carmo), whose construction began in 1685. First dedicated to Saint Theresa (in Portuguese, Santa Teresa) it was projected in the Baroque style.


In the second quarter of the 18th century, the church’s rectangular chancel was built at the request of Archbishop José de Bragança. The religious temple is covered with gilded carving, being especially notable the rocaille railing, and the joanine altarpiece.
Praça de São Tiago
This Guimarães itinerary continues at São Tiago Square or Santiago Square (in Portuguese, Praça de São Tiago or Praça de Santiago), one of the most famous medieval squares of its historic center. Do you believe that these now photogenic and colorful medieval houses were once viewed as unsanitary?

According to legend, the apostle Saint James (in Portuguese, São Tiago or Santiago) brought an image of the Virgin Mary to a pagan temple in this square. In the 17th century, a chapel was erected and dedicated to Saint James but ended up being demolished at the end of the 19th century.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
The next stop in this Guimarães itinerary is the Church of Our Lady of the Olive Tree (in Portuguese, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira), whose origins date back to 950. The temple was rebuilt by King John I as a result of a vow made to the Virgin of the Oliveira, for the victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota.


The Church of Our Lady of the Olive Tree is located in Olive Tree Square (in Portuguese, Largo da Oliveira), the most well-known medieval square of Guimarães. Here you can also find the Padrão do Salado, a 14th-century Gothic structure that has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
Museu de Alberto Sampaio
This Guimarães itinerary continues at the Alberto Sampaio Museum (in Portuguese, Museu de Alberto Sampaio), an art museum that occupies several buildings from the 13th, 15th, and 18th centuries, that formerly served the Insigne and Royal Collegiate of Our Lady of the Olive Tree.

The Alberto Sampaio Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 6 pm. As for tickets, they cost €5 (normal rate) or €2.5 (reduced rate for Youth Card or Student Card holders, and those over 65 years old), while children up to 12 years old don’t pay for admission.
Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos
The next stop in this Guimarães itinerary is the Church and Oratories of Our Lady of Consolation and Holy Steps (in Portuguese, Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos), in the República do Brasil Square (in Portuguese, Largo da República do Brasil) or Campo da Feira.


The Church and Oratories of Our Lady of Consolation and Holy Steps is a marvel of the 18th-century Portuguese Baroque style. Its five oratories depict the Passion of Jesus Christ and its fourteen framed paintings portray the Way of the Cross in polychrome 18th-century French engravings.
Largo do Toural
This Guimarães itinerary continues at Toural Square (in Portuguese, Largo do Toural), the most important square and place of gathering in the city. In the 17th century, it was a bull, oxen, and other cattle marketplace – hence the name (in Portuguese, “touro” means “bull”).

The Toural Square is interestingly frequented by swallows and not pigeons, like any other European city square. It’s worth mentioning Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Customs House Tower (in Portuguese, Basílica de São Pedro and Torre da Alfândega) with the sign “Aqui nasceu Portugal”.
Sanctuary of Penha
This Guimarães itinerary ends at the Sanctuary of Penha or Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Penha (in Portuguese, Santuário da Penha or Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Penha), a Marian sanctuary located on Penha Mountain, the highest point in Guimarães.

Designed by José Marques da Silva, the Sanctuary of Penha was built between August 1930 and September 1947. In addition to the Catholic temple, this sacred place includes chapels, caves, statues, fountains, boulders, viewpoints, gardens, parks, and many other structures!
Read my guide to the Sanctuary of Penha, a must-see tourist attraction on any Guimarães itinerary!
Map of the Guimarães Itinerary
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Where Do I Make My Reservations?
- Hotels and Accommodation: Booking.com
- Tours and Activities: GetYourGuide
Share this blog post on your social media!
More Posts about Portugal
1 Day In Penafiel: The Perfect Penafiel Itinerary
Biscainhos Museum: Best Tips For Visiting This Year
How To Visit The Sanctuary Of Sameiro This Year
More Posts about Travel Itineraries
1 Day In Lake Bled: The Perfect Lake Bled Itinerary
2 Days In Bratislava: The Perfect Bratislava Itinerary
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More Posts about World Heritage
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Where Do I Make My Reservations?
- Hotels and Accommodation: Booking.com
- Tours and Activities: GetYourGuide
What Photography Gear Do I Use?
- Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
- Camera Lens: Fujinon XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
- Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action
- Small Tripod: Manfrotto PIXI Mini
- Smartphone Adaptor: Manfrotto PIXI Clamp
- Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC
What Photography Gear Do I Use?
- Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
- Camera Lens: Fujinon XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
- Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action
- Small Tripod: Manfrotto PIXI Mini
- Smartphone Adaptor: Manfrotto PIXI Clamp
- Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC