Guimarães Portugal – the Most Beautiful Small Town in Europe
If you are wanting to discover what Conde Nast Magazine called “the most beautiful small town in Europe”, then make sure your travel plans include Guimarães in the northern part of Portugal.
An easy day trip from Porto (under an hour by car and over an hour by train), Guimarães is considered “the birthplace/cradle of Portugal” and served as the country’s first capital in the 1100s .
The city has been inhabited since the 800s and was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal – Afonso Henriques (or King Afonso I) sometime around 1109.
As a history lover, I felt transported back in time as I walked around the center of the city and visited some of the popular attractions – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guimarães is an amazing place to spend the day, especially for those who appreciate architecture, history, nature and exploring the birthplace of Portugal.
Visit the historic center of Guimarães – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The historic center of Guimarães, with its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets – as well as the nearby Palace Ducal de Bragança and Guimarães Castle – was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
The historic center – with all of its wonderful basilicas, squares (largos), palace, and castle – is roughly 40 acres and is just over 1.25 miles from start to finish and 2.7 miles roundtrip, including getting from and to the train station.
NERD ALERT: I have written this post as a walking tour, moving from one place to another with facts and descriptions of what you are seeing.
In my opinion, knowing the history of a city, a building, a monument, a statue makes for a richer travel experience.
Historic Center of Guimarães
Starting from the Guimarães train station, the historic city center is approximately 1/2 mile on foot or a 6 minute bus ride from the train station.
Torre Alfândega (Customs Tower)
I recommend starting at the landmark Customs Tower where you can see a sign stating “Aqui Nasceu Portugal” or “Here is where Portugal was Born”.
Also, the tower is where you can see a bit of the old medieval city wall.
By making the tower your first stop, you get a sense of the national pride felt by the locals and start to absorb the history the city has experienced.
Largo do Toural (Toural Square)
Next, travel a few steps to the Toural Square, to see where 17th century market stalls sold various products, including cattle and bulls (touro in Portuguese).
In today’s world, the Largo do Toural is considered the main city square and a wonderful place to visit nearby attractions, sit and enjoy a meal at one of the cafes, or do some shopping.
Basílica de São Pedro (St. Peter’s Basilica)
This church, with its tall bell tower, is located in the Largo do Toural.
Work began on this Catholic church in 1737, with the basilica designation in 1751. Construction ended almost 150 years later in 1883 or 1884.
The basilica’s architectural style is Neoclassical, a popular revival in the 1700s of the classical Greek and Roman architectural style, known for its beauty and its simplicity.
The Neoclassical elements seen at the basilica include the triangular pediment at the top, the functional columns built into the structure, and the balanced and symmetrical arched entries.
Largo da República do Brasil/Campo Feira
Our next stop is at one of the city’s most iconic views – the Largo da República do Brasil (Republic of Brazil Square) and its photogenic and manicured rectangular gardens.
The square, known locally as Campo Feira (Field of Markets) hosted markets where vendors sold animals, produce, grains, and different fabrics – linen, silk, wool, cotton.
At the top of the Campo Feira and its manicured gardens, we see the Igreja do Santos Passos (Church of Holy Path).
If you are walking up the sidewalk alongside the gardens towards the Santos Passos, you can enjoy “Portuguese pavement”.
The pavement’s different color stones create a mosaic – dark gray stones set in the shape of flowers in the midst of the vast white stones.
The gardens at the top of the hill and right before the church have four granite statues at each corner depicting St. Peter, St. Paul, St. James, and St. Jude.
Igreja do Santo Passos (Church of Holy Path)
Originally this site was home to two smaller churches, one built in 1576 and one built in 1594.
Work began on this Catholic Church in 1769, with the main part of the church finished in 1785 and the interior finished in 1798 and the bell towers started in 1862 and finished in 1875.
The church’s architectural style is Baroque, known for its more opulent and dramatic exteriors and interiors.
The curved exterior is decorated with azuelos, the famous Portuguese blue and white painted ceramic tiles.
Inside the church, you will see the altar with gilded panels depicting various scenes from Jesus’s life plus more azuelos along the walls.
Largo da Oliveira (Square of Oliveira)
We will now head back to another prominent square, the Largo da Oliveira – known to be the starting point of Guimarães.
The square is named for the large olive tree in the middle of the square and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Oliveira (Church of our Lady of Oliveira) across from the tree.
The first olive tree in the square dates back to the 1300s, brought over from a neighboring village. But, that olive tree did not survive.
In 1342, a cross was laid next to the dried up remains of the original olive tree. Within a week, the tree was green again with new growth.
The citizens of the city attributed the miracle to the Virgin Mary who became known locally as Our Lady of the Olive Tree (Nossa Senhora de la Oliveira), now the Patron Saint of Guimarães.
The tree remained in the square until 1870 when it was moved. Later, in 1985, the square was restored and another olive tree was planted, which is still there today.
The three dates of 1342, 1870, and 1985 are carved in stone around the current olive tree.
Here in the square, you can sit at one of the outdoor cafes, visit the local shops, and absorb all of the history contained in the starting point for the city.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Oliveira (Church of our Lady of Oliveira)
Across from the olive tree you see the church, which started as a monastery where both monks and nuns could worship.
Construction on the church began in approximately 950 by Countess Mumadona Dias, ruler in the region for about 20 years after the death of her husband.
Since the 900s, the church has experienced several rounds of renovations.
The first restoration came in 1387 as a way to keep a promise made by King João I after victory in a battle that helped to secure Portuguese independence.
At this time, the monastery was completely rebuilt in the style of Gothic architecture – with its pointed arches, gargoyles, and stained glass.
About two hundred years later, in the 1500s, the church tower was built and it incorporated architectural features known as “Manueline”.
The Manueline style of architecture is specific to Portugal and celebrates the Age Discovery, which reached the heights of global exploration under King Manuel I.
This style includes intricate stonework along with aspects of naval exploration – navigational tools and instruments, anchors, ropes – and incorporates symbols from the global trade Portugal had with Asia, Africa, and India.
We can see the Manueline architecture as part of the Cathedral’s stonework both within the pointed arches and at the top of the bell tower.
Comemorativo da Batalha do Salado/Padrão do Salado
The curious monument in front of the church commemorates victory in the Battle of Río Salado where King Afonso I fought off a Moorish invasion.
Built in 1340 and in the Gothic style of architecture with its pointed arches and elaborate decorations, the Padrão (Stone Pillar) also contains a very special cross.
According to legend, it is the same cross that, in 1342, helped revive the square’s original olive tree.
The cross, originally gold, was a gift from Pedro Esteves brought back to Guimarães from his travels to Normandy in France in the mid 1300s.
Capela de São Nicolau (Chapel of St. Nicholas)
As you exit the Largo do Oliveira in the opposite direction of the Padrão do Salado, there is a small chapel.
Originally built in 1663, the chapel celebrates São Nicolau, considered the patron saint of the students of Guimarães.
The chapel was deconstructed in the 1970, but its stones were saved and used again in 1988 to rebuild the chapel.
Praça de São Tiago (Saint James Square)
Along the cobblestoned streets of the historic center of the city, a stop in Saint James Square brings us to the location of the Tourist Office.
This square, according to folklore, is where the Apostle James brought an image of the Virgin Mary to a Roman temple in the square.
The square is another great place to sit and have a meal or enjoy a beverage and appreciate the buildings and architecture of the city.
Antiga Câmara Municipal de Guimarães (Old Town Hall)
On one side of Saint James Square, you can see the Old Town Hall.
With its medieval architecture – consisting of thick stone walls, rounded arched columns, and covered walkways – this structure stands between the Largo da Oliveira and Praça de São Tiago.
If you look at the top of the Town Hall, you will see a statue of a warrior, commemorating the same victory securing Portuguese independence that preceded the first round of renovations of the Church of our Lady of Oliveira.
Rua de Santa Maria (Street of Saint Mary)
Next to the Old Town Hall is one of the oldest streets in the city, the Rua de Santa Maria.
Dating back to the medieval times and the founding of the city in the 900s , the street was the address for the noble families as well as the church leaders.
Today, the residences along the Rua de Santa Maria illustrate the luxury and status of those who called it home for centuries.
Paço dos Duques de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza)
Following along the Rua de Santa Maria, we are now heading to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
The Dukes of Braganza, who made this palace their home, date back to 1442 and form one of the oldest duchies in Portugal.
Since the palace was not a continuous residence, the palace experienced moments of disrepair.
Starting in the early 1600s and continuing for the next 200 years, the stones from the palace were used in constructing and repairing nearby monasteries and convents.
In 1937, the Portuguese government commissioned a restoration of the palace, including the placement nearby of the statue of King Afonso I.
In 1959, the newly restored palace was reopened and now serves as a museum with rooms full of weaponry, tapestries, ceramics, and furniture.
The interior courtyard as well as the stone walls with objects illustrating the lives once lived in the palace help visitors feel a genuine connection to the history of Portugal and the area.
Castelo de Guimarães (Guimarães Castle)
The Countess Mumadona Dias built the Castle of Guimarães in approximately 968, on land outside of the city’s medieval walls.
This castle was originally built as a way to protect the monastery that the Countess had built from Germanic invaders from the north.
In the late 1000s, Henry, the Count of Portugal renovated the castle and made it into his primary residence.
In approximately 1109, Henry’s son, Afonso Henriques – later King Afonso I – was born in the castle.
The birth of the man who would become the first king of Portugal is another source of pride the city has as the birthplace of Portugal.
At the end of the 1200s and the beginning of the 1300s, King Denis (the 4th great grandson of King Afonso I) oversaw another round of renovations that resulted in the Castle as we see it today.
Tickets for both the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the Guimarães Castle can be purchased together by visiting this site.
When to Visit Guimarães
The climate has a bit of a Mediterranean feel allowing for higher humidity most months, given the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
Spring and Autumn are the best time to visit to avoid the summer crowds and summer heat.
Summer can be a great time to visit, but it is the hottest time of year and the humidity will make it feel hotter. And the summer months will likely have the highest number of tourists
It can get very windy in the winter, but the temperature does not generally fall beneath 32℉. While uncommon, it may snow given the location in the valley between the Penha Mountain and the São Bento das Peras Hill.
Given Porto’s 220 days of sunshine in a year, the winters do allow for some sun. But it is sunny for fewer than 4 hours per day in November, December, and January.
Things to do in Guimarães
In addition to visiting the historic city center, there are numerous festivals that can make for a wonderful addition to your itinerary in Guimarães.
Festas Gualterianas (Gualteriana Festival)
Held the first weekend in August since 1906, the Gualteriana Festival honors Sao Gualter (Saint Walter) who was a monk sent to Portugal in the early 1200s by Saint Francis of Assisi.
The festivities include the Linen Parade (Cortejo do Linho), the Battle of the Flowers (Batalha das Flores) and end with the Gualteriana March (Marcha Gualteriana).
The Igreja do Santos Passos and Campo Feira play host to the festivities with the iconic church and gardens decorated with lights.
Festas Nicolinas (St. Nicholas Festival)
Held from late November to early December, the St. Nichols Festival is a way for the students in Guimarães to honor their patron saint.
The festival includes eight celebrations. The most attended is the Pinheiro, which occurs after the Nicolinas Supper (Ceia Nicolina) where students play the Nicolinas Clang (Toques Nicolinas) on the drums while a Pinheiro (Pine Tree/Christmas Tree) is in a cart pulled by bulls.
The Igreja do Santos Passos and Campo Feira play host to these festivities as well with the church and gardens decorated by lights.
I would recommend at least half a day in Guimarães, especially if you want to explore more than the UNESCO World Heritage historic city center.
How Far is Guimarães from Porto?
Guimarães is conveniently located approximately 26 miles from Porto, making it a very easy day trip.
Traveling by Train
Direct trains from Porto to Guimarães take approximately an hour from the Porto Campanhã train station.
Here is information on the travel options via train.
Getting around Guimarães
Guimarães is a very walkable city, especially getting around the historic city center. Depending on your route, it is between 1.25 and 1.5 miles to get from the Torre Alfândega to the Castelo de Guimarães.
If you decide to walk from and to the train station, it is between 2.5 and 3.0 miles total. The streets are cobblestones and mainly flat.
Guima Bus
The bus is a wonderful way to explore the city outside of the historic city center (which is mostly free of most vehicles).
If you arrive in Guimarães via train, there is a bus stop called Estação CP Guimarães located right across the street from the train station.
You can take the bus to Placo Toural or to Campo da Feira instead of the 1/2 mile walk to start your tour of the historic center.
Here is the site for GuimaBus (the site will need to be translated to English) so you can look at routes and options based on your starting point.
Is Guimarães Portugal Worth Visiting?
For those interested in learning more about the history of Portugal as a country and visiting its first capital, Guimarães should absolutely be a part of your northern Portugal itinerary.
With its wonderful historic center that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its festive celebrations throughout the year, the city is very much worth visiting.
When I visited the city, I felt like I was transported back in time wandering the narrow cobblestone streets and absorbing the many different eras of Portuguese history.
Trip Planning Resources for Guimarães
If you’re ready to discover the wonders of this charming and historic city, here are some resources to start planning your trip today.
As a disclaimer, I may earn a small commission with each tour booked by clicking any of the links.
Half Day Private Tour from Porto to Guimarães
Electric Tuk Tuk Tour of Guimarães
Self Guided Walking Tour of Historic Guimarães
I’d love to hear about your travel plans and be a resource for you – join my Facebook Group to learn from me and others who have visited this amazing city!