Day Trip to Guimaraes Portugal: 1-day Itinerary

Guimaraes Portugal is a well-preserved medieval town in the district of Braga. The city has a long history that dates back to the 4th century, and it is considered as the birthplace of Portugal as this is where Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born.

There are many things to do in Guimarães that you may need a few days. But I put together an efficient one-day itinerary for independent travellers who want to travel on their own from Porto to Guimarães.

During a day trip to Guimarães, you will see a fortified castle, Gothic churches, a pilgrimage site with grottos, chapels and panoramic views, and the historical centre of Guimarães, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

So if you are spending a few days in Porto and want to venture out and see other parts of Northern Portugal, keep reading and find out how you can take a day trip from Porto to Guimarães Portugal.

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What you need to know before taking a day trip to Guimaraes Portugal

Before you take a day trip to Guimarães, take a look at these travel tips below:

• Take a Guimarães day trip any day of the week but try to avoid Mondays since some attractions are closed.
• I recommend starting your Guimarães day trip as early as possible. Arrive in Guimarães no later than 9:30. That will give you plenty of time to see everything in Guimarães.
• Wear your comfortable shoes for walking around Penha Mountain and the historical town.
• It is possible to hike up Serra de Penha but it will take an hour. Take the cable car to save some energy and time.
• Use GoogleMaps app to navigate around Guimarães.
• Bring your credit card as many places accept credit cards only. Also, bring cash for smaller purchases.

How to travel from Porto to Guimaraes

The cheapest and easiest way to travel from Porto to Guimarães is by taking the urban train. Start the journey from either São Bento Station or Campanha Station in Porto.

All you have to do is buy a ticket from the counter or kiosk. This means you pay €0.50 for the reusable Siga card and one title (means one ticket) for the cost of the train journey to Guimarães.

Porto to Guimarães train

• Urban train: from Porto São Bento Station to Guimarães Station
  • Time: 1 hour 12 minutes (about 1 train per hour)
  • Cost: €3.25 (plus €0.50 for the Siga reusable card)
  • Check: Comboios de Portugal website for prices and schedules

Remember to keep the card so you can take the train from Guimarães to Porto. And make sure to validate your card before getting on the train.

Guimaraes day trip: 1-day itinerary

While you can stay in Guimarães and take your time and explore the town in a few days, I put together an efficient one-day itinerary so you can see all the best attractions in Guimarães in one day.

The Guimarães day trip has two parts: Penha Mountain in the morning and the historical centre of Guimarães in the afternoon.

All you have to do is follow the numbered red pins on the interactive map and read the descriptions below.

Are you ready for a day trip to Guimarães Portugal? Here we go!

1. Take the Teleférico de Guimarães up to Serra de Penha

When you arrive at Guimarães Station, walk 15 minutes to the lower station at Teleférico de Guimarães (Penha Cable Car) and take the cable car up to Serra de Penha (Penha Mountain). Take the main road, Av. Dom João IV and turn right on R. do Rei Pegu.

It is possible to hike up Penha Mountain, but it will take more than an hour. So, to save time, spend €7.50 on a round-trip ticket. Plus, you can enjoy panoramic views of Guimarães from the cable car ride!

Address: Rua Aristides Sousa Mendes 37, Guimarães | Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm | Cost: €4 one way and €7.50 round trip

Serra de Santa Catarina, the ancient name of Serra de Penha, was an important pilgrimage site. Today, it is one of the most famous attractions in Guimarães.

The 617m mountain is the highest point in the urban areas of Guimarães. It has over 60 hectares of forest and greenery, and the park has many giant granite rocks covered with green moss and hiking trails.

Besides the serene natural surroundings, there is granite rock with carvings, grottos, churches and panoramic viewpoints where you can see the ancient city from above.

While there are many things to see on Penha Mountain, I will highlight all the best attractions worth seeing.

2. Santuário da Penha

Santuário da Penha (Sanctuary of Penha) is the first attraction you will see when you arrive at the top of Penha Mountain.

Inaugurated in 1947, the hilltop church was once a pilgrimage site. The building itself was made with granite from the region, so the church can blend in with the environment that surrounds it.

You can tour the inside of the church and see the Art Deco-styled interior. And make sure to walk to the back and see a magnificent view of Guimarães.

If you visit the Sanctuary of Penha around the second Sunday of September, you might even catch the annual pilgrimage and festival.

Address: Varanda de Pilatos, Guimarães | Hours: 10:30 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday), 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Saturdays and Sundays)

3. Gruta Nossa Senhora de Lourdes

Next, walk southeast and find Gruta Nossa Senhora de Lourdes (Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes).

When you arrive at the grotto, you will see the marble image of the Virgin of Lourdes inside a rock cavity. The image was sculpted as a gesture of gratitude and praise to Our Lady of Penha and the people of Guimarães.

Today, visiting the grotto is part of the annual pilgrimage to Penha Mountain.

Address: R. das 3 Bicas, Guimarães

It is quite interesting to roam around the area next to the grotto. Walk through narrow paths between the giant boulders and stone stairways until you reach an area west of the grotto. The area opens up to a rocky viewpoint where you can see the Sanctuary of Penha in the distance and with Guimarães as a backdrop.

4 & 5. Monument of Pius IX Penha and Capela de Santa Catarina

To the east of the rocky viewpoint is the Monument of Pius IX Penha, a monument dedicated to Pope Pius IX Penha who allowed Penha to become a sacred place of worship. To commemorate the kind gesture by Pope Pius IX, the city built a 5m tall Carrara marble statue on top of a large platform overlooking Guimarães.

Next, follow the paved path and find Capela de Santa Catarina, a hidden temple between the giant boulders. It is said that the 18th-century small chapel had a portable pulpit made out of wood and shaped like a chalice.

But I didn’t see the pulpit as the chapel wasn’t open. In fact, I can’t find the hours of operation anywhere. But if you are visiting Penha Mountain, try your luck and see if you can peek inside the chapel.

There isn’t much south of the chapel beside a mini-golf course and campsites. Walk in the north direction and see the next attraction on Penha Mountain.

Monument of Pius IX Penha Address: R. das 3 Bicas, Guimarães

Capela de Santa Catarina Address: R. de Santa Catarina, Guimarães | Hours: ?

6. Cruzeiro

On the way to another grotto in Penha Mountain, you will see a religious symbol called Cruzeiro. It is a stone statue with several steps at the base, a carved pedestal and a sphere with a Latin cross on the top.

When I was researching the cruzeiro, there are many versions of this statue around Northern Portugal. And later in the afternoon, you will see another one in the historical centre of Guimarães.

Address: R. dos Carvelhos, Guimarães

7 & 8. Gruta Ermida Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Saint Elias and Capela de São Cristóvão

Walk all the way to the park’s north side and see an important pilgrimage site from the 18th century. When you reach the cave formed by giant boulders and has a chapel and tower on top, this is where Gruta Ermida Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Grotto of Our Lady of Carmo), Saint Elias and Capela de São Cristóvão (St Christopher’s Chapel) resides.

First, walk into the grotto and see the image of Saint Elias at the entrance. Saint Elias is the Patron Saint of the Sleep, regarded highly by visitors. It is rather small, but you can’t miss it.

Then, turn right into the grotto and see inside the cave. This is the Grotto of Our Lady of Carmo. There is an altar with the Virgin Mary and two side altars.

Walk back to Saint Elias, and walk up the flight of stairway. It will lead you to the small St Christopher’s Chapel on top of the boulders. This is also part of the pilgrimage site, but many visitors come here to see a panoramic view of Guimarães.

Address: R. Nossa Sra. da Penha 8, Guimarães

It’s almost lunchtime! And if you are famished and want to try a local favourite, then walk two minutes to Adega do Ermitão.

The outdoor restaurant serves affordable snacks like sardines (€.30 each), codfish croquette (€0.80), flatbread with pork belly (€3) and many more things that are made on the grill. They wrap the cooked food with a big piece of paper and you can bring it to a nearby picnic table and use the paper as a tablecloth.

All the locals know about it – that’s why there is always a long queue!

Otherwise, backtrack all the way to the cable car upper station and take the next cable car back down to Guimarães.

Address: R.de Penha, Guimarães | Hours: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Closed Wednesdays)

9 & 10. Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos at Lago da República do Brasil

The walk to Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos is not that far. You would’ve seen it earlier on the way to the Penha Cable Car lower station.

The 19th-century Baroque church has a beautiful stone and blue-and-white azejelos tile curved facade with two bell towers on each side. There is an image of San Gualter and a Rococo-styled altarpiece inside the church.

However, you can only see the inside of the church if you make it before noon on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday. It might be a stretch for timing, but I included the church in this itinerary because seeing the exterior of the church is just as nice.

And also the beautiful Lago da República do Brasil right before the church. The square has a well-maintained manicured garden and a large fountain. I read somewhere that the city plants different types of flowers to keep this garden fresh and interesting.

Address: Largo de São Brás 42, Guimarães | Hours: 7:30 am to 12:00 pm (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays), 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays)

11, 12 & 13. Padrão do Salado and Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira in Largo da Oliveira

Keep walking northwest and enter the historical centre of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you enter Largo da Oliveira, you’ll see two important landmarks in this medieval square: Padrão do Salado and Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.

Padrão do Salado is a Gothic square stone monument with four arches and a raised cross with various images of saints. It was constructed in the 14th century to commemorate the Battle of Salado of 1340 against the Moors and was classified as a National Monument in 1910.

Remember the Cruzeiro on Penha Mountain? Padrão do Salado has a raised cross with all the same characteristics but on a much smaller scale.

And right next to the monument is Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães’ most iconic church.

The 15th church is one of the best Gothic churches in Northern Portugal. But the church was reconstructed throughout the years, and other architectural styles were introduced. This is why there are elements of Romanesque, Manueline, Neoclassical and of course, Gothic architectural features.

See the pristine interior of Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, including the silver altar of the Capela do Santíssimo Sacramento, the ornate altarpiece and various Baroque artwork.

Padrão do Salado Address: Largo da Oliveira 6, Guimarães

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Address: Largo da Oliveira 8, Guimarães | Hours: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Mondays to Saturdays) and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Sundays)

14. Have lunch at Praça de São Tiago

If you didn’t have a snack at the top of Penha Mountain, you must be starving by now. So for the next stop, it includes a delicious lunch in one of the oldest squares in Guimarães.

Praça de São Tiago (Santiago Square) is named after the apostle São Tiago, who brought the image of the Virgin Mary to Guimarães and placed it in a pagan temple in this square.

Today, Praça de São Tiago has many well-preserved buildings lining the perimeter of the square. You can see Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century and preserved medieval designs.

Moreover, many restaurants in Guimarães are located in this medieval square, making Praça de São Tiago the perfect spot for lunch and rest. Walk around and see the menus at each restaurant before sitting down.

I had lunch at Cozinha Regional Santiago, located near the square’s north end. They serve many traditional Portuguese dishes and a lot of seafood options. I had a typical Portuguese meal which included grilled fish, boiled vegetables and potatoes. It was affordable and quite delicious!

Address: Praça de São Tiago, Guimarães

15. Rua da Santa Maria

On the way to the castle, you’ll have to walk through Rua da Santa Maria, one of the oldest streets in Guimarães.

The medieval street was the main connection between the village’s lower and upper parts of the village back in the day. And it was considered an elite street because people of prestige inhabited it.

Today, it is one of the most beautiful streets in the historic centre of Guimarães. There are simple houses with wrought iron balconies and other decorative architectural elements. And there are many interesting points along Rua da Santa Maria including Antigo Convento de Santa Clara, Casa dos Valadares, and Casa do Arco.

Address: Rua da Santa Maria, Guimarães

And when you are in Guimarães, you must try one (or all) of the typical Guimarães desserts. They are different from other types of Portuguese desserts, and you can only find them in Guimarães.

Several dessert shops on Rua da Santa Maria sell typical Guimarães sweets. Divina Gula is a cute little cafe selling many types of Guimarães desserts. Grab some sweets on your way to the castle or have them on the way back.

Here are the names of the typical Guimarães desserts:

• Tortas de Guimarães – traditional almond cake with crispy dough filled with egg yolk, crushed almond and spaghetti squash. Also known as Toucinho do Céu (bacon from heaven)
• Toucinho-do-céu de Guimarães – egg yolk, crushed almond and spaghetti squash covered with powdered sugar
• Douradinhas de Guimarães – egg yolk, crushed almond and spaghetti squash in crunchy pastry

Divina Gula Address: R. de Santa Maria 44, Guimarães | Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm (except Mondays)

16. Paço dos Duques de Bragança

When you arrive at Paço dos Duques de Bragança and Castelo de Guimarães, you must buy the admission ticket at the ticket office first. Since I wanted to see both, I bought the combination ticket for €6.

First, visit Paço dos Duques de Bragança (Ducal Palace of the Braganza). The palace was constructed on the orders of Afonso de Barcelos, son of King João, in the early 15th century. He later became the first Duke of Braganza and he lived at the palace with his second wife, Constança of Noronha. When she became a widow, the Ducal Palace became a shelter for the needy.

Today, the Paço dos Duques de Bragança is classified as a National Monument.

As for the palace’s design, the building was based on French manor houses. The palace is structured around a central rectangular courtyard with six chimneys. The ground floor has a kitchen, store rooms, a long covered corridor inside of the courtyard and the bedrooms for the Duke and Duchess. The second floor has a chapel and some open spaces for temporary exhibitions.

Follow the guided path to see these rooms and see a diverse collection of 17th and 18th-century decorative arts including furniture, carpets, tapestries, ceramics, porcelain, weapons and armour.

Address: R. Conde Dom Henrique 3, Guimarães | Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Admission: €6 (for both Palace Duques de Bragança and Castelo de Guimarães)

17. Igreja de São Miguel

Igreja de São Miguel (Church of São Miguel) is a small and plain chapel between the palace and castle. But it is special because of the history of the church. It is said that Dom Afonso Henriques, who would become the first king of Portugal, was baptized here.

You can go inside and walk around the perimeter of the single-nave church and see the floor in the centre which is paved with graves of noble warriors.

Like many important buildings in Guimarães, the Church of São Miguel is also classified as a National Monument.

Address: R. Conde Dom Henrique 3, Guimarães | Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed Thursdays) | Admission: free

18. Castelo de Guimarães

And finally, you’ve arrived at the main attraction in Guimarães: Castelo de Guimarães (Guimarães Castle). Walk up to the top of Monte Largo (Broad Hill) and enter the castle with the combination ticket you bought earlier.

Guimarães Castle is the principal medieval castle in the northern region of Portugal. Countess Mumadona ordered the Romanesque castle in the 10th century to defend the Monastery of Santa Maria from attacks from the Vikings, Moors and Norsemen.

Between many heroic battles fought at the castle and the monarchs wanting to leave their imprint, the castle underwent many improvements. But in the end, the castle lost its defensive functionality because of new military tactics that developed over time.

The castle was restored in the 20th century and was classified as a National Monument.

And today, you can see the glorious castle in its restored state. You can walk around the castle’s perimeter with the entrance ticket and see the great defensive structure. See the pentagram-shaped castle which includes eight quadrangular towers, a military square and a 27m central keep.

Address: R. Conde Dom Henrique, Guimarães | Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Admission: €6 (for both Castelo de Guimarães and Palace Duques de Bragança)

19 & 20. Chafariz do Toural in Largo do Toural

Before you return to Guimarães Station to catch the next train back to Porto, visit Chafariz do Toural in Largo do Toural.

The Toural Fountain is a Renaissance fountain with three tiers (or three bowls) and an armillary sphere on the top. It was originally placed in the Toural Square in the 16th century but was moved to Largo Martins Sarmento in 1873. But the fountain was returned to the original address in 2011 for the European Capital of Culture 2012.

As for Largo do Toural, it is one of the most central and important squares in Guimarães. In the 17th century, Toural Square was considered the heart of the city as the square is just outside of the main gate of Guimarães. It was a place where merchants sold oxen and other goods.

Today, Toural Square is an open square with many cafes and shops around the perimeter.

Address: Largo do Toural 78, Guimarães

Other things to do in Guimaraes if you are spending more than one day in the city

There are many more things to do in Guimarães and the surrounding areas. If you have more time in Portugal and want to explore Guimarães, here are a few more things to do (see blue pins on the map):

1. Museu de Alberto Sampaio – The museum has over 2,000 pieces of religious art, paintings, sculptures, and jewellery in a former monastery.
2. Museo Arqueológico de Martins Sarmento – See a former Gothic convent’s collection of pre-roman Celtiberian and Roman archaeological ruins.
3. Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães – Admire José Guimarães’ three contemporary art collections: African Tribal Art, Pre-Columbian Art and Ancient Chinese Art.
4. Casa da Memória de Guimarães – See displays of everyday objects that shaped the lives of Guimarães people.
5. Centro Cultural Vila Flor – The cultural centre has many theatrical and performing arts shows. You can also stroll around the garden for free.
6. Igreja de São Francisco – Don’t miss the blue-and-white azulejos tiles and gold altar inside this Catholic Church.
7. Antigo Convento de Santa Clara – See one of the richest convents (which also houses the Guimarães City Council) in Guimarães.
8. Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo – Visit the late 17th-century Baroque church dedicated to Santa Teresa where the main altar has an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
9. Citânia de Briteiros – If you have a car, drive half an hour to the ruins at the archaeological site of the Castro culture.

Where to stay in Guimaraes Portugal

If you decide to spend more than one day in Guimarães, a handful of accommodations in Guimarães are excellent for an overnight stay. Here are some of my top picks:

• Hotel da Oliveira ($$) – Stay at the 4-star modern boutique hotel near Praça de São Tiago.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• EMAJ Boutique Hotel ($$) – Stay in a classified building from the 19th century in front of Largo do Toural.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Santa Luzia Art Hotel ($$) – Get a single room at this minimalist boutique hotel just outside of the city centre.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Are you ready to take a day trip to Guimaraes Portugal?

Whether you stay a day or two, Guimarães is one of the best towns to visit in Northern Portugal for solo travellers. If you are in Porto and looking for an easy day trip, look no further! Jump on the next train and visit the charming city of Guimarães!

Let me know in the comments if you followed my Guimaraes day trip itinerary and have any suggestions to improve it. Or if you have any other questions.

Thank you for reading my Guimarães Portugal post

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