Paulo was very prompt, friendly and knowledgeable! It was like being with family. Really fun! Thank you Paulo for a memorable day!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Professional local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation from Porto
- Guided walking tour through the UNESCO Historic Center
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized private experience
- Entrance ticket to Guimarães Castle
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Hotel Pick-up – Private Tours Hotel pick-up may be available depending on your accommodation location and vehicle type. You will receive your confirmed pick-up time and location the day before your tour via email, Viator's App or WhatsApp. Private Tours with Minibus For private groups travelling by minibus, pick-up locations are subject to Porto City Council regulations, which restrict access to certain areas of the city centre. Please provide your hotel or accommodation address when booking. Our team will arrange the most convenient authorised pick-up location. Important Information If you are asked to select a pick-up location during booking, please choose the one closest to your accommodation. Our team will confirm the final pick-up arrangements before your tour.
Itinerary
Your experience begins in Porto, where you will meet your local guide and depart towards Guimarães, the historic city known as the birthplace of Portugal. Enjoy a comfortable journey through the beautiful landscapes of Northern Portugal while learning about the history and traditions of the region.
Visit one of Portugal’s most iconic medieval landmarks. Built in the 10th century, Guimarães Castle is closely connected with the origins of Portugal and the early history of the Portuguese kingdom.
Discover this small Romanesque church located next to the castle, traditionally linked to the baptism of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques.
Admire the exterior of this impressive medieval-style palace, built in the 15th century for the Dukes of Braganza. Learn about the noble families that shaped Portugal’s history.
Discover the beautiful Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, an impressive 17th-century religious landmark in Guimarães. Admire its elegant Baroque architecture, detailed interiors and the peaceful atmosphere of this historic church located near the heart of the old town.
Visit one of Guimarães’ most important religious monuments, known for its Gothic architecture and deep connection to the city’s history.
See this unique Gothic monument built to commemorate the Battle of Salado, an important moment in Portuguese history.
Explore Largo da Oliveira, one of Guimarães’ most iconic squares and a symbol of the city’s medieval heritage. Surrounded by historic buildings, traditional architecture and charming cafés, this beautiful square is the perfect place to feel the atmosphere of the birthplace of Portugal.
Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage city center and experience its medieval atmosphere, traditional architecture, charming squares and historic streets.
Arrive back in Porto after a memorable half-day experience exploring Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. Your tour concludes with drop-off at your selected location, leaving you with unforgettable memories of one of Portugal’s most historic cities.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We’ve been on a lot of tours all over Europe. My tour to Guimaraes with Pedro Pais was one of the best. Pedro is an archeologist with a 20th century perspective, who is able to tie the past to the present. He was accommodating in making sure our wants and needs were met. I will definitely reach out to him again if I need a guide for Porto & the surrounding area.
Interactive conversations with our tour guide and his thorough knowledge of the subject matter. Would highly recommend this tour.
A great guide, Steve, who was very knowledgeable and answered lots of questions. It was a good introduction to Guimarães when you have limited time.
We enjoyed visiting the city of Guimaraes. However, this is how our “tour” went… Our guide, Steven, picked us up at 9:00, as planned. We drove to our destination which took 45 minutes. We spoke mainly of futball. When we arrived at the castle, we waited around while Steven took 10-15 minutes to pick up our tickets. We entered the castle without our guide since he had a fear of heights. It took all of 10 minutes to go around the entire perimeter of the structure. We came out and waited for him for about 5 minutes. He then walked us through the old city and told us we had free time for the next hour until 12:15 when we met up with him for our 45 minute drive back to Porto. We got a minimal amount of information from him. He didn’t offer us a water, snack, nor suggestion when we needed a bathroom break. This tour was basically a taxi ride round trip.
This was the smallest small-group tour possible with just the two of us and our British [Welsh ] driver /guide. Having his undivided attention added so much to this memorable half day as we were able to ask questions and learn so much more. The pace was relaxing and unhurried and we learned about the surrounding region in addition to Guimaraes
This was an excellent tour, starting at the Castle and making our way down to the old town, where we had about 3/4 hour of free time to explore by ourselves before being picked up.Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. His English was excellent. I cannot recommend this guide and tour highly enough.
he did an excellent job. We spent the morning learning about local history and the area. We had a little free time but not much as just a half day tour. Over all it was about as good as you could do in such a short time.
Highly recommend this 4-hour tour with Milena, a very knowledgeable and experienced guide. Accompanied by her driver, Milena explained the history and importance of this medieval area during our car ride to Guimarães. City highlights were the historic town center and amazing Guimarães Castle dating back to the 10th century.
It is a beautiful place to visit. Very well organized and very good guide Juliana. Highly recommended.
Guimarães is a wonderful city, full of history. The guide Paulo is a great knowledge of history, shared many interesting points and was very friendly, courteous and concerned.
Phenomenal tour with Adur, good knowledge of the country and professional history. 1•2•TOURS: you have a great collaborator!!!!
La experiencia ha sido muy positiva porque Guimaraes es una ciudad preciosa y muy interesante. La visita es corta, debería de durar una hora más mínimo pero suficiente para hacerse una idea y disfrutar de los encantos de este maravilloso enclave portugués.
Interesting, informative and entertaining tour. Our guide Steve - from Wales - was not only very competent, helpful and easy to understand but also a very safe driver.
If you are in the area of Porto and Guimarães and want to make a small group visit, with all the security measures, in small group with a very professional guide, do not hesitate to make it with Efun tours. Highly recommended the visit. Guimarães loved it. The city is very worth it. In addition, we were lucky to have an excellent guide, Hugo, archaeologist and expert in the history of the country. On the other hand, the safety measures adopted against COVID 19 by the organization should be highlighted. We are eager to get to know the city of Braga with Hugo and make the route through the wineries of the Douro. We'll definitely be back.
We did the 1/2 day tour with Mr. Americo. The same was punctual, kind and very professional. Arrived before the scheduled time! Fulfilled every script with a lot of sympathy. I recommend! We love Guimarães!
We were attended by the guide Hugo, very attentive and helpful explained the whole history of Guimarães with great enthusiasm and confidence we recommend this guide is congratulations we love the tour.
It was a pleasant surprise. The city and the way we were presented with it. Our guide Ugo showed a great knowledge not only historical, but Cultural and Portuguese customs. We had a very personal attention being a small group and their explanations and recommendations made a special and very pleasant morning to which of course contributed the scenarios in which we moved. You have to visit this castle, so well presented and preserved, but walking through the old town among granites transports you to another time on the tour. Highly recommended
In addition to visiting the palace and the fort, we were lucky to have an activity that recreated what happened around the fort. Fairs, forge, ferrer, music, etc. All as in the time and with costumes instruments, tools and utensils of that time.
Guimarães is a wonderful city located in the District of Braga, the North region and sub-region of the Ave and still to the former province of Minho, the inhabitants are super hospitable.
We liked Guimaraes, but what transformed the vizier into unforgettable was the sympathy, kindness and connection with the Hugo guide. Fully recommended.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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