Braga and Guimaraes: Day Trip from Porto

Braga and Guimarães are two of northern Portugal’s most rewarding cities, each under an hour and a half from Porto. Guimarães is where Portugal was born, with a castle and a perfectly preserved medieval centre. Braga is the country’s religious capital, famous for the dramatic baroque stairway of Bom Jesus. Do them separately, or both in one busy day.

Quick answer: both are on Porto’s urban train line from São Bento (about 1h15, a few euros). In Guimarães: the castle, the Palace of the Dukes (combined ticket €8) and the old town squares. In Braga: the cathedral, the old centre and Bom Jesus, ideally riding the 1882 water-powered funicular up and walking down the stairs. Both in one day is easiest by car or on a tour.

Getting there

• Train: urban trains run from Porto São Bento (and Campanhã) to both cities. Braga takes about 1h15, Guimarães a little longer. Fares are low and zone-based. There’s no direct train between Braga and Guimarães; take the bus (about 30–40 minutes).
• Car: about 50 minutes to either on the A3 or A7 (tolled), and 30 minutes between them. The easiest way to do both in one day.
• Tour: day tours from Porto cover both cities with transport and a guide. See Braga and Guimarães tours.

Guimarães: the birthplace of Portugal

Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, is said to have been born here. An old wall near the centre proudly declares “Aqui nasceu Portugal”: Portugal was born here. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Guimarães Castle: a classic 10th-century keep on a green hill. Walk the walls for views.
• Palace of the Dukes of Bragança: a 15th-century palace with a forest of brick chimneys, tapestries and huge halls. About €5 (some rooms are under restoration), or €8 combined with the castle. Free on the first Sunday of the month.
• Largo da Oliveira and Praça de Santiago: two of the prettiest squares in Portugal, lined with cafes and balconied medieval houses. Lovely for lunch.
• Penha: take the cable car up the hill above town for views, woods and picnics. It runs most of the year, with occasional maintenance closures.

Places to stay in Guimarães.

Braga: Portugal’s Rome

One of the oldest cities in Portugal, founded by the Romans, with a lively student population and churches on every corner.

Bom Jesus do Monte

The highlight, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A zigzag baroque stairway of 500-plus steps climbs past fountains and chapels to a church on a wooded hill, about 5km from the centre (take the city bus or a taxi). Ride the funicular, which opened in 1882 and is the oldest water-counterbalanced funicular still working in the world, up for a few euros, then walk down the stairs to see them properly. The gardens, stairs and church are free.

In the centre

• Braga Cathedral (Sé): the oldest cathedral in Portugal, with a treasury and the twin organs.
• Jardim de Santa Bárbara: a pretty flower garden beside the medieval archbishop’s palace.
• Rua do Souto and Arco da Porta Nova: the main shopping street and the old city gate.
• Sameiro Sanctuary: a short drive above Bom Jesus, with even bigger views.

Places to stay in Braga.

Both in one day?

It’s doable but busy. By car: Guimarães in the morning (castle, palace, lunch in Largo da Oliveira), then Braga in the afternoon (Bom Jesus, then the centre). By public transport, pick one per day or take a tour. Better still, stay a night in either. Both are lovely and much quieter in the evening.

What to eat

• Guimarães: toucinho do céu, a rich almond cake from the convents.
• Braga: bacalhau à Braga (fried cod with onions and potatoes) and pudim Abade de Priscos, a famous caramel pudding.
• Everywhere: a glass of fresh, slightly sparkling vinho verde. This is its home region.

Keep exploring the north

Continue to the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park, or see all our best day trips from Porto and where to stay in Porto.

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