Guided Excursion to Historic Cities of Guimarães & Braga, Porto

Experience the earliest days of Portugal's history with this all-day guided excursion to Guimarães and Braga. You'll begin with a visit to Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal, where you'll see the historic center and sites like the Dukes of Bragança Palace and the 10th-century Castle of Guimarães. You'll spend the second part of the day exploring Braga, the oldest city in Portugal and its most important religious center, which you'll discover with visits to attractions like the 18th-century Bom Jesus Sanctuary.

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you an hour north to Guimarães. This city is known as the birthplace of Portugal, as the country's first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here. You'll stroll the historic center, whose medieval sites and buildings will transport you back in time. Your guide will take you to the imposing 10th-century castle and the Dukes of Bragança Palace, which has major French influence in its 14th-century architecture but has retained a particularly Portuguese character. 

You'll stop for a hearty lunch, where you can enjoy the tastes and flavors of northern Portugal. Afterward, you'll continue on to Braga, about 30 minutes away. Founded by the Romans in 16 BCE, Braga is Portugal's oldest city, and it's one of the country's main religious centers. For centuries, it has been an archiepiscopal seat and a pilgrimage site for Catholics, which you'll get to see as you explore the city with your guide. You'll visit sites like the 11th-century Cathedral, and the 18th-century Bom Jesus Sanctuary, located up on one of the hills looking over the city. After these visits, you'll have some free time to explore Braga on your own, before you're taken back to your hotel in Porto.