Minho Experience

Highlights of Braga and Guimarães

If you have already visited the city of Porto and still have one more day of vacation, take advantage and come with us to discover the pearls of Minho! We leave Porto behind and move towards the North of Portugal, we will start our tour in the city of Braga and the afternoon the city of Guimarães. We arrive at Bom Jesus do Monte, following up to the Sanctuary, we use the historic elevator, which is 140 years old. From this privileged place, you will have an incredible view of the city. It is worth visiting the Basilica, built in the 18th century, by the renowned architect from Braga, Carlos Amarante. A beautiful example of one of the first Portuguese neoclassical buildings. After visiting and walking around the Sanctuary, we head to the historic center of Braga, which for many years was known as the religious capital of the country. We will walk through the streets of the historic center, have a taste of a typical sweet from Braga and afterward, we visit the Sé or Cathedral, dating from the 11th century. Let's get to know the interior of this historic building, where are the graves of Count D. Henrique of Burgundy and Queen D. Teresa of Castile, parents of the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. After visiting the Cathedral of Braga, we continue our journey to Guimarães. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant, in the historic center of the city (not included in the price of the tour). After lunch, we'll take a walk through the fantastic historic center of the city, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will visit the Ducal Palace of the Bragança and the Castle of Guimarães. The Palace was built for Afonso the 1st Duke of Bragança, in the first quarter of the 15th century. In the 19th century, during the French Invasions, the Palace became a military barracks. In the 20th century it was rebuilt, opening to the public in 1959, when it became the official residence of the Portuguese President in the North of the Country. The objects that garnish the chambers are intended to recreate an inhabited manor house. The collections of tapestries, furniture, ceramics, paintings, and weapons are noteworthy. Right behind this magnificent building, we have the Castle of Guimarães, dating from the 10th century. It is closely associated with the Counts of Portucale (10th and 11th centuries) and it is related to some symbolic moments of Portugal's path to independence such as the Guimarães siege 1127, by Alfonso VII of Castile to Afonso Henriques; or the Battle of S. Mamede fought in its vicinity on 24th of June, 1128.