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As you come into Guimaraes the stunning Largo Republica do Brazil with the Sao Gualter Church behind are a stunning introduction into the quality of the architecture throughout the city. Guimaraes is historically probably the most important town in Portugal. It was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal and from where he launched attacks that drove back the Moors. Its cultural and architectural importance has been recognised as it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its significance in Portugal's history and the architecture ranging from 15-19th centuries. Most of the tourist attractions are found in the pedestrianised old town and you need to take a day or two to get round to do them justice.
It's not all history though, Guimaraes is a lively well looked-after town with students, business people and visitors all rubbing shoulders at the cafes and restaurants dotted around particularly in the old town. Bringing things right up to date there is even free wi-fi access in Santiago and Oliveira Squares within the old town!
As you can't fail to notice when visiting Guimaraes this was where the Portuguese kingdom is said to have been created. The first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born in Guimaraes in 1110 and he later launched the main Reconquista against the Moors from Guimaraes.
As is befitting such grand claims the medieval centre of the city is choc full of historic buildings and cobbled squares that apart from the brightly coloured cafe brollies gives you an idea of what these medieval streets would have been like to live in. Unsurprisingly the historic town has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the examples of architecture ranging from the 15th to the 19th centuries that consistently uses traditional Portuguese building materials and techniques.
The old town is northeast of the modern city of Guimaraes. Most of the tourist sights are within a demarcated tourist zone that stretches from Guimaraes Castle in the north on the hill and then south in a cluster of cobbled streets and squares.
There is no parking in the historic town, but there is pay & display street parking all around Guimaraes city centre and you can park close to the old town. There are specifically designated areas for disabled parking. There is also a large area for parking by the gardens in which the Castle and the Palace stand, but these tend to be full most of the time, although there are usually locals who will guide you to a parking space for a tip.
There are two tourist information offices in the old where the helpful staff can provide you with city centre maps (in English) with all the sights pinpointed. There is also a range of leaflets on other attractions in and around the city including museums and rural walking tours. The excellent tourist information website (link right) has a wealth of information on the town and its attractions including interactive maps and mp3 audio tours.
Posto de Turismo da Alameda, Alameda de S Damaso, 83, 4810-286 Guimaraes. Tel. 351 253 412450. Open: Mon-Fri 9.30 am-12.30 pm and 2-18.30 pm. Closed on weekends and holidays. Posto de Turismo da Praca de Santiago, Praca de Santiago, 4810-300 Guimaraes. Tel: 351 253 518790. Open: Mon-Sat 9.30 am-18.30 pm. Sunday 10.00 to 1 pm.
Zona de Turismo de Guimaraes, Largo Conego Jose Maria Gomes, 4800-419 Guimaraes. Tel: 351 253 518 394. Fax: 351 253 515 134. Email: info@guimaraesturismo.com
The big draw of the city tends to be up on the hill where Guimaraes Castle (Castelo de Guimaraes) and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca (Paco dos Duques de Braganca) are located. The seven towered castle has a fantastic strategic viewpoint overlooking Guimaraes and the hilly, terraced countryside around. Built in around 1100 it is still amazingly intact. This is one of the most fun places where you scramble all over the ramparts (not fenced so watch your children closely!) and imagine what it was like to be defending the town. It is open Jul-Sep 9.30 am-5 pm, Oct-Jun 9.30 am-12.30 pm and 2-5 pm. Admission is free on Sunday mornings.
Between the castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca is the diminutive Romanesque St Miguel Chapel (Capela de Sao Miguel). This is where it is supposed Afonso Henriques was baptised. Under the floor are graves of some of his comrades in arms marked by crosses, spears and shields.
In complete contrast just down the hill is the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganca. This is a massive and imposing building with distinctive turrets and brick chimneys. It was built in 1401 by the first Duke of Braganca but fell into ruin after this powerful family relocated to the Alentejo. It was sumptuously restored during the Salazar dictatorship as a presidential residence for the dictator. You can take a guided tour or more fun is to explore the rooms yourself where tapestries, paintings, armaments and furniture are all displayed. Open: 9.30 am-12.30 pm and 2-5.30 pm (closed: 1st January, Easter Sunday, 1 of May and 25 December). Tel: 351 253 41 22 73. Fax: 351 253 51 72 01. Admission free on Sunday mornings.
The rest of the attractions are clustered together around the old town which you can reach by heading downhill. Strolling around the medieval quarter you get an idea for the medieval street layout which is lined with historic buildings everywhere you look. Don't miss Rua Santa Maria, Guimaraes' first street and the ancient route from Mumadona's monastery to the castle. Largo da Oliveira and Praca de Santiago are the central points within the old town which become full of coffee drinkers and diners from later in the morning. Rua Dom Joao I was the old road to Porto and is very picturesque being lined with balconied houses.
Several of the historic buildings house museums and historical artefacts. Within the Romanesque cloister of the former convent of Igreja de Nossa de Senhora da Oliveira is the Alberto Sampaio museum housing a collection of ecclesiastical art and paintings, sculpture, ceramics and azulejos. Some of the highlights includes a 14th century silver-gilded triptych, a tunic said to have been worn by Joao I in 1385 at the Battle of Aljubarrots and a 16th century silver Manueline cross. English language notes are available in each room. Admission is free. Tues-Sun 10 am-12.30 pm and 2-5.30 pm. Tel: 351 253 423 910.
The Antigos Pacos do Concelho is the 14th century building on legs facing Largo da Oliveira that houses the avant-garde displays of the Museum of Modern Primitive Art. Admission free. Open Mon-Fri 9 am-12.30 pm and 2-5.30 pm. Sat-Sun 10 am-12.30 pm and 3-6 pm. Tel: 351 253 414 186.
The Museu Arqueologico Martins Sarmento displays a collection of Celtiberian artefacts in the Sao Domingos Church, a former convent. The museum is named after the archaeologist who in 1875 excavated Citania de Briteiros (see our webpage for more info).
With a definite studenty vibe Guimaraes old town is good for bar-hopping. There are lots of hotel choices in the tourist area of Guimaraes close to bars and restaurants and within easy walking distance or public transport links of the old town.
Fafe, 10 miles east of Guimaraes, and Vila Nova de Familicao, 16 miles west of Guimaraes also offer hotel accommodation.
Since 1452 the Festas de Cidade e Gualterianas have been celebrated in the town. Today this is a week long fair starting on the first weekend in August including folk dancing, rock concerts, bullfights and a carnival on the Monday.
During the first few weeks of November since 1992 Guimaraes hosts an annual Jazz Festival which showcases a host of new talent and the latest and most original trends in jazz.
Football is very much a part of Guimaraes modern culture. Vitoria de Guimaraes is the city's team, which plays in Portugal's Premier League. The Estadio de Afonso Henriques, just north-west of the city centre, is the 30,000 capacity stadium refurbished for Euro 2004.
Guimaraes is 52 kilometres from Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport in Porto so is within easy travelling distance either straight up the main motorways from Porto or as Guimaraes is within the Porto suburbano network, trains travel every hour or two from Porto. Buses link to Braga every 30 minutes to two hours and Porto every hour on weekdays.
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