Welcome to Guimarães
The beautiful and historic birthplace city has numerous national monuments and iconic buildings scattered throughout the city. Enjoy a stay at our Hotel GuimaGold and enjoy visiting Guimarães.
Points of Reference
Castle of Guimarães
One of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, located in Oliveira do Castelo – between Campo de São Mamede and the Dukes of Bragança Palace.
Dukes of Bragança Palace
Historical Centre
History
The stage for the events that led to the founding of Portugal, Guimarães is known as the "Cradle” of the Portuguese nation. A city full of marking and interesting events and history.
Its origins stretch back to the 10th centuries when still known as Vimaranes. Today, the Historical Centre conserves the peaceful evolution from the medieval era to a modern city while preserving an architectonic range of great heritage importance. A wander along the streets of Guimarães is to revisit times past.
Galery
Points of interest
#1 “Here was born Portugal”: The Alfândega Tower, a military feature of the at the end of the Alameda with the Largo do Toural square, is one of the best preserved sections of the wall. One of its walls is inscribed with the popular phrase “Here was born Portugal” which is so closely associated with the Cradle City.
#2 Gastronomy and wines: Guimarães provides some of the best Vinhos Verdes to accompany the rich regional cuisine. This is also your chance to get involved with the local sweets and cakes – the Tortas de Guimarães, Toucinho-do-céu, Bordados as well as the Cantarinha dos Namorados.
#3 Nicoline Festivals: If you’re visiting in November, take advantage to participate in one of the most important festivals of the city of Guimarães and intensely experienced by the city’s inhabitants. The Nicoline Festivals begin with Pine Day on 29 November that is then followed by the days of roubalheiras, novenas, maçãzinhas, posses and pregão.
#4 Citânia de Briteiros: Located 14 km away from the city, this is an archaeological site featuring typical Castrejo culture, a millennium old settlement of pre-Roman origins with remains surviving from the Bronze Age. An ideal location to visit on sunny days in addition to visiting Castro, we would recommend a picnic held in amongst the magnificent views over the Alto Minho region.
#5 Cultural range: Guimarães runs a vast cultural agenda. All year around, there are cultural and artistic events for every taste across the multiple venues located across the city.
#6 Penha Cable Car: The green space of Guimarães! Enjoy this space where nature is allowed to predominate, visiting its grottos and viewpoints. The cable car connects the city with the Penha Mountain on a voyage of 1,700 metres that is worthwhile simply for the panoramic views.
#7 Rua de Santa Maria: Along this street, there is evidence of times long gone, como Casa do Arco, Casa dos Peixotos, and the Gothic residence of Valadares de Carvalho, among the many other points of interest.
#8 Centuries old churches: In the Church of São Miguel da Oliveira, to the east of the Castle, there is the font in which the first King of Portugal Afonso Henriques, was baptised. With its Baroque style, the Church of Nossa
Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos is one of the most famous landmarks of Guimarães. With so many traditions and deep in history, it’s worth spending some time walking the route leading to the city’s multiple churches.