Guimarães walking tour & city guide
The birthplace of Portugal, with a perfect medieval center.
Video by Walking Tours Portugal on YouTube. All rights belong to the creator. Like or comment on YouTube ↗
Guimarães is known as the 'cradle of the nation'. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, is said to have been born here in the 12th century, and a medieval wall in the city proudly declares 'Aqui nasceu Portugal' – Portugal was born here. Its beautifully preserved historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle and the palace
Guimarães Castle, with its sturdy keep and battlements, stands on a hill above the town and is one of the symbols of Portugal. Just below, the tiny Romanesque church of São Miguel do Castelo is traditionally said to be where Afonso Henriques was baptized.
The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, built in the 15th century with tall brick chimneys, houses tapestries, furniture and paintings, and its grand halls give a sense of medieval aristocratic life.
The medieval center
Rua de Santa Maria, one of the oldest streets, leads down from the castle through granite houses with wooden balconies to the heart of town. Largo da Oliveira and Praça de Santiago, two connected squares surrounded by medieval buildings, are full of café terraces and come alive in the evening.
The Toural square, with its wavy mosaic paving, marks the transition to the newer part of the city.
Visiting tips
Guimarães is about an hour from Porto by train and close to Braga. A cable car climbs from the city to Penha mountain, with granite boulders, a sanctuary and views over the region. The city was a European Capital of Culture in 2012 and has a lively cultural scene.
Top sights in Guimarães
- 1
Guimarães Castle
A symbol of the birth of Portugal.
- 2
Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
A 15th-century palace with tall chimneys.
- 3
Largo da Oliveira
A medieval square full of café terraces.
- 4
Rua de Santa Maria
One of the city's oldest streets.
- 5
'Aqui nasceu Portugal' wall
The famous inscription on the old town wall.
- 6
Penha cable car
A ride up to a mountain sanctuary.
Food markets & where to eat in Guimarães
Largo da Oliveira restaurants
Dining in the medieval heart of town.
Praça de Santiago bars
Lively terraces in the evening.
Traditional pastry shops
Local convent sweets.
Mercado Municipal
Fresh produce and local specialties.
Food to try in Guimarães
Toucinho do céu
A rich almond and egg cake, a local convent sweet.
Tortas de Guimarães
Small pastries filled with sweet squash and almonds.
Rojões
Fried marinated pork, a northern specialty.
Vinho Verde
A fresh wine from the Minho region.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Guimarães
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in GuimarãesCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Guimarães.
- eSIM for PortugalStay online from the moment you land.
Some links may be affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More cities in Portugal
▶ 6 videosLisbon
Seven hills, yellow trams and golden light.
▶ 6 videosPorto
Riverside houses, port wine cellars and blue tiles.
▶ 6 videosSintra
Fairytale palaces and mysterious gardens in the hills near Lisbon.
▶ 6 videosFunchal
Madeira's sunny capital of gardens, markets and wine.
▶ 6 videosLagos
Golden cliffs, hidden coves and a historic Algarve town.
▶ 6 videosFaro
The Algarve's walled capital beside the Ria Formosa lagoon.
▶ 6 videosCascais
A chic seaside town of beaches, cliffs and royal summers.
▶ 6 videosCoimbra
Portugal's historic university city on a hill.
▶ 5 videosÉvora
A Roman temple, a chapel of bones and the heart of the Alentejo.
▶ 6 videosAveiro
The 'Venice of Portugal', with painted boats and striped beach houses.
▶ 6 videosBraga
Portugal's religious capital, with a famous Baroque staircase.
▶ 5 videosÓbidos
A whitewashed medieval town inside castle walls.