Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto

based on 1108 reviews

Duration:9 hours (approx.)
Location: Porto, Northern Portugal

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The Minho region is an old Portuguese province and its located in the North of Portugal. Minho is known for its green landscapes, crossed by affluent rivers, and the biodiversity enriches the views for those who visit Minho. The region presents a big coastal zone with beautiful beaches.

The full-day Tour to Minho gives you the opportunity to visit the region and two cities: Guimaraes and Braga. Travel through the Minho and visit the historical centers of these two cities learning about Portuguese history in the process. Then have a traditional lunch (optional) at a local restaurant.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Porto
Your expert guide will collect you from your hotel/accommodation or meeting point and will drive you to Braga, our first stop. On your way to the Minho Region, your guide will give you insights regarding the Portuguese history, development and cultural facts of portuguese heritage.
2. Bom Jesus Funicular
Famous for religious reasons but also for its architecture, the famous staircase and being the cause of the vertical tram, an amazing piece of 19th century engineering. This was the first of its kind to be installed in Portugal in 1882 and still uses its water powered system to power the 300 meter ramp in just 3min. The church was built by Carlos Amarante, who gave it an Italian-inspired neo-classical design that harmoniously blends into the landscape of northern Portugal. The staircase leading to the top contains 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style decorations along themes: Stations of the Cross, Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments and at the top, the eight biblical figures that contributed to Jesus' condemnation. Any visitor must take in the view from the bottom of the staircase. Facing up are the ornate granite fountains on the various landings and the white chalice-like outline on which the church itself "sits".
3. Se de Braga
The first cathedral, older than Portugal. The Cathedral of Braga was the first Portuguese cathedral, erected several decades before the founding of the country. It began to be built at the end of the 11th century, and was concecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop Pedro in a solemn session on August 28, 1089. Competing in power with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and is the jewel of the city. D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of the first king of Portugal, are buried in the Chapel of Kings.
4. Braga
It's now time for a break. If you chose the lunch included option the guide will take you to a local restaurant where you will have a delicious traditional portuguese meal with drinks included. Try the very famous "Vinho Verde" wine, a white wine with unique caracteristics. If you decided to not to include lunch on your tour, you will have free time and restaurant options to lunch on your own or to explore a bit more Braga's old city center. (Vegetarian option during lunch is available, make sure you request it during the booking process)
5. Guimaraes
After lunch, we will go on a short drive to Guimarães: Is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here.
6.
The castle´s presence evokes the exciting mixture of legend, poetry and heroism that surrounds the beginning of Portuguese history. On this Monte Largo (Broad Hill), the nucleus of the future nation of Portugal was first developed. In circa 968, Mumadona, the countess of Galicia, ordered a castle to be built on this site, where the population could seek refuge from the constant attacks unleashed upon them by the hordes of Vikings, who arrived by sea from the north of Europe, and the Muslims, who made raids from the territories that they occupied to the south. On taking over the governorship of the province known as Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of León, Count Henry ordered another larger and more solid construction to be built. This represented the beginning of the important defensive structure that we can now see today, dominated by the square keep that stands between the four towers guarding each of the four corners of the walls. Although this is not strictly documented, it is very likely that the building that stands against the inner part of the northern wall was the residence of Count Henry and the birthplace of his son Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.
7. Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo
The small church of S. Miguel do Castelo was built in the 13th century. However, according to tradition, this church would have been built in the 12th century by Count Dom Henrique (Henry of Burgundy), where he would have baptised his son, the 1st King of Portugal Dom Afonso Henriques. Of Romanic style and reduced dimensions, this church reveals great simplicity in terms of decoration. Inside, under the floor of this church lie buried the great warriors of the nation’s founding period.
8. Centro Historico de Guimaraes
The historical centre in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. The city still has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow streets, paving slabs smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. For a moment you might imagine yourself to be in a mediaeval setting, where the nobility built their houses over time, such as the Mota Prego house, the Vila Flor and Toural palaces, and the many others that give Guimarães its unique atmosphere.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
• Third party services are subject to availability and may change without notice
• Usually our tours run in one language but there are cases of one extras language or more.
• Tours run in groups between 8 and 27 people
• Duration: the hours of duration are approximate 9 hours, The Tour is subject to local traffic, visit schedules, etc
• Reservation is mandatory and requires an email request/confirmation. Bookings must be confirmed at least 48 hours befor the date of the servisse. Cancellations within 48 hours or less will be fully charged.
• All tours depart from Porto
• Lunch: included for option with lunch
• Meeting point: Living Tours at Rua Mouzinho da Silveira 352, 4050 - Porto, next to São Bento train Station
• We support our communities. By taking a tour with us you are contributing to our cause: we offer a meal for the homeless and people in need.
• Please kindly be aware that the overall duration of the activity could be influenced by traffic conditions. We highly advise against scheduling any additional activities or making other plans within the hour following the anticipated completion time.
• Please kindly note that access that the castle of Guimaraes has limited access and the access to the walls are now prohibited.
• Vegetarian and Gluten-free meal options are available if requested before the day of the booking. Make sure you inform us before the tour starts.
• Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Free Walking Tour departs daily in English and Spanish at 9:30 a.m. from Cordoaria (Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 31, Porto) and 4:30 p.m. from Batalha (Rua Alexandre Herculano 412, Porto).

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : kathrynbO7451MK
Knowledgeable guide, JoseLuis. Saw many interesting buildings. Enjoyed the walking tour of Guimeres. Lunch was included which was very good.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-20 13:41:33

Posted By : wiseone1949
A full fun packed day seeing many sites and amazing places. The tour guide and driver were excellent, time to vosand free time perfect. A lovely lunch I would recommend
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-20 00:34:08

Posted By : Mahima_D
Was a lovely experience . Enjoyed the cities of Braga and Guimarães. Made new friends. Guide was very good and friendly

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-19 15:07:35

Posted By : Venture14820357976
A perfect day trip from Porto. Saw several interesting and historical areas around the region, but wasn’t tired out. Andre is the best guide!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-18 17:29:06

Posted By : NicoleTO
We really enjoyed our day tour and appreciated the knowledge, wit and humor of our guide Andre Vidal. We highly recommend this Tour !
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-17 12:16:15

Posted By : deolindag2022
Punctual, adequate transportation, careful, kind driver Rodrigues. Guide José Luís Pereira attentive, well prepared and kind. Poorly distributed times. There was no time at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus dos Montes. It would have been better to spend more time in Braga. Maybe starting 20 minutes early.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-17 02:29:05

Posted By : ejvv6
The experience has been fascinating because of the places visited, the knowledge, and the anecdotes, all from the hand of José Luis as a guide and Rodríguez as a driver, an excellent duo to carry out the tour with good treatment, respect and kindness. 100% recommended
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 09:14:48

Posted By : H5754EYgaryb
An informative day out. Got to visit places we wouldn't have seen Guide was very chatty and made time to speak individually with everyone. Pity the weather spoiled the experience but that can't be helped. Would not recommend the meal option as it was very poor. VERY basic and extremely bland - Athough nice opportunity to chat with other travellers.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 03:41:48

Posted By : Bruce_H
Really good trip . Guide was great!!! Tour was in English and French although we booked an English only tour!! Braga was fabulous!! Especially the Sanctuary Bom Jesus de Monte. It was drizzling rain and then pouring rain but our guide made the best of it!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 16:12:08

Posted By : TomaszW2978
Quite relaxed trip to two cities, very different but each beautiful, full of historical views, beautiful streets and impressive religious sites. Our tour guide, Castro (very kind, helpful and well organized) give a lot of interesting information and stories about each place visited.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-11 19:51:41