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Minho Full-Day Tour: Discover the Green Landscapes and Historical Cities of Braga and Guimarães
4.7
1,579 Ratings
Porto
Embark on a full-day tour of the picturesque Minho region in Portugal, exploring the historical cities of Braga and Guimarães. Immerse yourself in the rich Portuguese history, admire the green landscapes, and indulge in a traditional lunch. Book now!
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Porto - Meet your guide at our Meeting Point near S. Bento Train Station, who will drive you to Braga, our first destination. During the journey to the Minho Region, your guide will share insights about Portuguese history, development, and cultural heritage.
- Bom Jesus Funicular - Renowned for its religious significance and architecture, the famous staircase, and the vertical tram, a remarkable piece of 19th-century engineering. This was the first of its kind in Portugal, installed in 1882, and still operates using its original water-powered system to ascend the 300-meter ramp in just 3 minutes. The church, designed by Carlos Amarante, features an Italian-inspired neo-classical design that blends seamlessly with the northern Portuguese landscape. The staircase leading to the top has 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style decorations, including themes like the Stations of the Cross, the Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments, and at the top, the eight biblical figures involved in Jesus’ condemnation. Visitors should take in the view from the bottom of the staircase, where ornate granite fountains and the white chalice-like outline of the church are visible.
- Se de Braga - The first cathedral, older than Portugal. The Cathedral of Braga, the first Portuguese cathedral, was built several decades before the country was founded. Construction began at the end of the 11th century, and it was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop Pedro on August 28, 1089. It competed in power with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and is the jewel of the city. D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of Portugal’s first king, are buried in the Chapel of Kings.
- Braga - Time for a break. If you chose the lunch-included option, your guide will take you to a local restaurant for a delicious traditional Portuguese meal with drinks included. Try the famous “Vinho Verde” wine, a white wine with unique characteristics. If you opted out of the included lunch, you will have free time to explore Braga’s old city center or choose a restaurant on your own. (Vegetarian option available upon request during booking.)
- Guimaraes - After lunch, we will take a short drive to Guimarães, considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born here.
- Guimaraes Castle - The castle evokes the exciting blend of legend, poetry, and heroism surrounding the beginning of Portuguese history. On this Monte Largo (Broad Hill), the nucleus of the future nation of Portugal was first developed. Around 968, Countess Mumadona of Galicia ordered a castle to be built here to protect the population from Viking and Muslim attacks. Later, Count Henry, upon taking over the governorship of the Portucalense province, ordered a larger and more solid construction, marking the beginning of the important defensive structure we see today, dominated by the square keep and four corner towers. It is believed that the building 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.
- Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo - This small Romanesque-style church, built in the 13th century, is traditionally believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by Count Dom Henrique, where he baptized his son, the first King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques. The church is simple in decoration, and inside, under the floor, lie the great warriors of the nation’s founding period.
- Centro Historico de Guimaraes - The historical center, within the old city walls of Guimarães, is linked to the formation and identity of Portugal and is a World Heritage site due to its originality and authenticity in restoration. The city boasts a well-preserved heritage with graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting narrow streets, paving slabs worn smooth by time, towers, and cloisters. You might feel as if you are in a medieval setting, where the nobility built their homes over time, such as the Mota Prego house, the Vila Flor and Toural palaces, and many others that contribute to Guimarães’ unique atmosphere.
What's Included
- Admission Ticket at Guimarães Castle
- All-inclusive lunch (only if selected. vegetarian & gluten-free preferences upon prior notice)
- Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)
- Admission ticket at Braga’s Cathedral
- Comfortable transportation on a Minibus with A/C
- Professional Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
Additional Information
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.
- Duration: the hours of duration are approximate 9 hours, The Tour is subject to local traffic, visit schedules, etc
- Lunch: included for option with lunch
- 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 meals are available if requested before the tour. Inform us before the tour starts.
- Tours are usually in one language, but a second language may be used.
- Group size maximum capacity is 27 people.
- Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Our Free Walking Tour is available on a daily basis, in English and Spanish, at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. departing from Living Tours Agency located in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira 352, 4050-418 Porto
Location
Living Tours
Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira
meeting point at Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, 352 -4050-418 Porto, next to São Bento train station
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(1579 Ratings)
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Lucindarey18
Sep 25, 2024
History and Exploration of life outside the bigger cities. - Bruno was very knowledgeable about the history of Portugal, how Braga and Guimaraes came to be, how Christianity played a role and the conflicts. Gave us ample time to wander the two towns. Will recommend for a smaller town feel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
70antoninak
Sep 25, 2024
Best of the Best - Perfect tour for those who like history and adventure, architecture and mystery. With our well experienced and highly professional gide we were both impressed and touched, we feel like finely we sow the earliest history of 🇵🇹, we were brought to the source of it's birth, it's origine. Thank you for this very pleasant trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
475axiniai
Sep 25, 2024
10/10 experience - Even if the weather was not on our side, the city and the places that we visited were amazing.
The guide Anabela was friendly and funny and the driver João Carlos made our trip go smothly
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hugomb6733uh
Sep 24, 2024
Amazing day trip. - The day trip was amazing, Diego (the guide) and Joao Carlo (driver) has done a magnificent work, full of historic information and very profetionals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gk32
Sep 24, 2024
Views and a castle - Diego was great, very punctual and informative. Highly recommend the tour it's nothing like the city. Thank you Diego.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reuvenhn
Sep 24, 2024
Awesome! - Awesome tour, Diego is an excellent guide, everything was as expected and even above expectation...
Well arranged, with passion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary_b
Sep 23, 2024
Loved Guimaraes. It... - Loved Guimaraes. It should have been first on the tour and Brahe second. Miguel, the driver and Diego, the guide, were first rate. Excellent service all round.
Review provided by Viator
Estherms9409cm
Sep 22, 2024
Visiting Braga and Guimaraes - Lovely tour with Miguel (driver) and Diego (guide). They made us enjoy both cities with good information and great vibes. In our opinion (this message is to the bosses of the company) Braga is beautiful, but Guimaraes has a lot more to offer, so I would have enjoyed more time spent there and less in Braga (just an honest thought, shared with other visitors). Nevertheless, this tour is a must! Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X8166mwadamd
Sep 22, 2024
Stunning day out - An amazing day out with idyllic scenery, delicious wine and extremely knowledgeable guides. Our tour guide David was brilliant!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
932geetanjalig
Sep 22, 2024
Brrsga & Guimaeras tour September 2024 - Awesome guided tour by Diego! Loved all the details and the historical explanation, it eas well organized and structured.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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