Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto with Guimarães Castle, Braga Cathedral, and Bom Jesus Sanctuary
by Living Tours Porto
Choose from 8 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€94Overview
The Minho region in northern Portugal is known for its green landscapes, rivers, and a coastal area with beaches. This full-day bus tour from Porto visits two key cities in Minho: Braga and Guimarães. The trip lasts about nine hours and includes stops at several historical and cultural sites. The tour begins near Porto's S. Bento Train Station, where the guide provides information about Portuguese history and heritage during the drive to Braga. The first visit is to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, noted for its 19th-century funicular and a large Baroque staircase with 17 landings featuring fountains and statues. The church itself was designed by Carlos Amarante in a neo-classical style. Next is a stop at Braga Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Portugal, built in the late 11th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The tombs of Portugal’s first king’s parents are located there. Visitors then have an hour of free time in Braga to explore or eat. The tour continues with a drive to Guimarães, regarded as the birthplace of Portugal. Here, the group visits Guimarães Castle, built initially in the 10th century and expanded by Count Henry. The castle includes a square keep and four corner towers. Nearby is the small 13th-century Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo church, associated with the baptism of Portugal’s first king. The final stop is the historic center of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area inside the old city walls features well-preserved medieval architecture, including mansions, granite balconies, iron verandas, and narrow paved streets. The tour includes admission to Guimarães Castle, Braga Cathedral, and the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, transportation by air-conditioned minibus, and a professional guide specialized in the region. A free walking tour in Porto is available the day after the trip but is not part of the main tour. Lunch and hotel pickup are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Porto
Meeting the guide near S. Bento Train Station, participants begin the trip with a drive toward Braga. During the journey through the Minho region, the guide shares information on Portuguese history, cultural heritage, and regional development.
Bom Jesus Funicular
Known for its religious significance and architecture, this location features a 300-meter funicular powered by water since 1882, the first of its kind in Portugal, which climbs the ramp in just 3 minutes. The church at the summit was designed by Carlos Amarante in an Italian-inspired neo-classical style that fits the northern Portugal landscape. The staircase has 17 landings decorated with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style elements illustrating the Stations of the Cross, the Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments, and at the top, 8 biblical figures involved in Jesus' condemnation. Visitors are advised to view from the bottom the ornate granite fountains on the landings and the white chalice-shaped outline on which the church rests.
30 min
Se de Braga
The Cathedral of Braga, the first cathedral built in Portugal, was started at the end of the 11th century and consecrated in 1089. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and contains the tombs of D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of Portugal’s first king. The cathedral historically competed in influence with Santiago de Compostela.
30 min
Braga
Tour participants have about one hour of free time to walk around Braga’s city center, visit local shops, or find a place to eat before continuing to Guimarães.
60 min
Guimaraes
Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal, as Afonso Henriques, the first king, was born here. The group arrives for sightseeing in this historic city.
120 min
Guimaraes Castle
The castle was first ordered to be built around 968 by Countess Mumadona as a refuge from Viking and Muslim attacks. Later, Count Henry expanded the structure with a square keep and four corner towers. The castle is linked with Portugal’s origins and the likely birthplace of Afonso Henriques. The site combines legend and historical significance.
30 min
Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo
This small 13th-century Romanesque church is traditionally believed to have been built by Count Henry in the 12th century. It is where the first king of Portugal was baptized. The interior is simply decorated, and important early Portuguese warriors are buried beneath the floor.
10 min
Centro Historico de Guimaraes
The historic center inside the old city walls is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its authentic restoration. It features narrow streets paved with worn stones, granite balconies, iron verandas, mansions, archways, towers, and cloisters. The area reflects the medieval city where nobility built their homes over time, including notable palaces and houses.
30 min
Meeting point
Meeting Point: Calçada da Vandoma, Porto – just next to Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto). Look out for our friendly staff dressed in red and clearly identified with Living Tours. They’ll be ready to check you in and introduce you to your guide for the tour.
End point
Rua de Alexandre Herculano (next to Praça da Batalha)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto with Guimarães Castle, Braga Cathedral, and Bom Jesus Sanctuary
by Living Tours Porto
Choose from 8 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€94Overview
The Minho region in northern Portugal is known for its green landscapes, rivers, and a coastal area with beaches. This full-day bus tour from Porto visits two key cities in Minho: Braga and Guimarães. The trip lasts about nine hours and includes stops at several historical and cultural sites. The tour begins near Porto's S. Bento Train Station, where the guide provides information about Portuguese history and heritage during the drive to Braga. The first visit is to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, noted for its 19th-century funicular and a large Baroque staircase with 17 landings featuring fountains and statues. The church itself was designed by Carlos Amarante in a neo-classical style. Next is a stop at Braga Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Portugal, built in the late 11th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The tombs of Portugal’s first king’s parents are located there. Visitors then have an hour of free time in Braga to explore or eat. The tour continues with a drive to Guimarães, regarded as the birthplace of Portugal. Here, the group visits Guimarães Castle, built initially in the 10th century and expanded by Count Henry. The castle includes a square keep and four corner towers. Nearby is the small 13th-century Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo church, associated with the baptism of Portugal’s first king. The final stop is the historic center of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area inside the old city walls features well-preserved medieval architecture, including mansions, granite balconies, iron verandas, and narrow paved streets. The tour includes admission to Guimarães Castle, Braga Cathedral, and the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, transportation by air-conditioned minibus, and a professional guide specialized in the region. A free walking tour in Porto is available the day after the trip but is not part of the main tour. Lunch and hotel pickup are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Porto
Meeting the guide near S. Bento Train Station, participants begin the trip with a drive toward Braga. During the journey through the Minho region, the guide shares information on Portuguese history, cultural heritage, and regional development.
Bom Jesus Funicular
Known for its religious significance and architecture, this location features a 300-meter funicular powered by water since 1882, the first of its kind in Portugal, which climbs the ramp in just 3 minutes. The church at the summit was designed by Carlos Amarante in an Italian-inspired neo-classical style that fits the northern Portugal landscape. The staircase has 17 landings decorated with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style elements illustrating the Stations of the Cross, the Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments, and at the top, 8 biblical figures involved in Jesus' condemnation. Visitors are advised to view from the bottom the ornate granite fountains on the landings and the white chalice-shaped outline on which the church rests.
30 min
Se de Braga
The Cathedral of Braga, the first cathedral built in Portugal, was started at the end of the 11th century and consecrated in 1089. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and contains the tombs of D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of Portugal’s first king. The cathedral historically competed in influence with Santiago de Compostela.
30 min
Braga
Tour participants have about one hour of free time to walk around Braga’s city center, visit local shops, or find a place to eat before continuing to Guimarães.
60 min
Guimaraes
Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal, as Afonso Henriques, the first king, was born here. The group arrives for sightseeing in this historic city.
120 min
Guimaraes Castle
The castle was first ordered to be built around 968 by Countess Mumadona as a refuge from Viking and Muslim attacks. Later, Count Henry expanded the structure with a square keep and four corner towers. The castle is linked with Portugal’s origins and the likely birthplace of Afonso Henriques. The site combines legend and historical significance.
30 min
Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo
This small 13th-century Romanesque church is traditionally believed to have been built by Count Henry in the 12th century. It is where the first king of Portugal was baptized. The interior is simply decorated, and important early Portuguese warriors are buried beneath the floor.
10 min
Centro Historico de Guimaraes
The historic center inside the old city walls is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its authentic restoration. It features narrow streets paved with worn stones, granite balconies, iron verandas, mansions, archways, towers, and cloisters. The area reflects the medieval city where nobility built their homes over time, including notable palaces and houses.
30 min
Meeting point
Meeting Point: Calçada da Vandoma, Porto – just next to Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto). Look out for our friendly staff dressed in red and clearly identified with Living Tours. They’ll be ready to check you in and introduce you to your guide for the tour.
End point
Rua de Alexandre Herculano (next to Praça da Batalha)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.