Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 3,435 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto worth booking?
Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto is a 9-hour experience in Porto, Portugal, from $54 per person. It scores 86 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 3,435 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 86 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (3,435)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $54 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Transportation on a comfortable air-conditioned minibus
- Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)
- Entrance to Bom Jesus Sanctuary
- Walking Tour in Guimarães: UNESCO World Heritage since 2001
- Professional tour guide specialized on the destination
- Admission Ticket at Guimarães Castle - if selected
- Admission ticket at Braga's Cathedral - if selected
Not included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Porto
You will meet you guide at our Meeting Point near S. Bento Train Station and he will drive you to Braga, our first stop. On your way to the Minho Region, your guide will give you insights regarding the Portuguese history, development and cultural facts of portuguese heritage.
Pass by without stopping
Bom Jesus Funicular
Famous for religious reasons but also for its architecture, the famous staircase and being the cause of the vertical tram, an amazing piece of 19th century engineering. This was the first of its kind to be installed in Portugal in 1882 and still uses its water powered system to power the 300 meter ramp in just 3min. The church was built by Carlos Amarante, who gave it an Italian-inspired neo-classical design that harmoniously blends into the landscape of northern Portugal. The staircase leading to the top contains 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains, allegorical statues, and Baroque-style decorations along themes: Stations of the Cross, Five Senses, the Virtues, Moses receiving the Commandments and at the top, the eight biblical figures that contributed to Jesus' condemnation. Any visitor must take in the view from the bottom of the staircase. Facing up are the ornate granite fountains on the various landings and the white chalice-like outline on which the church itself "sits".
30 minutes here
Se de Braga
The first cathedral, older than Portugal. The Cathedral of Braga was the first Portuguese cathedral, erected several decades before the founding of the country. It began to be built at the end of the 11th century, and was concecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop Pedro in a solemn session on August 28, 1089. Competing in power with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and is the jewel of the city. D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of the first king of Portugal, are buried in the Chapel of Kings.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Braga
It's now time for a break. Enjoy some free time to explore Braga at your own pace or grab a bite to eat. Discover the city's charming streets, shops, and local attractions.
60 minutes here
Guimaraes
Afterwards, we will go on a short drive to Guimarães: Is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here.
120 minutes here
Guimaraes Castle
The castle´s presence evokes the exciting mixture of legend, poetry and heroism that surrounds the beginning of Portuguese history. On this Monte Largo (Broad Hill), the nucleus of the future nation of Portugal was first developed. In circa 968, Mumadona, the countess of Galicia, ordered a castle to be built on this site, where the population could seek refuge from the constant attacks unleashed upon them by the hordes of Vikings, who arrived by sea from the north of Europe, and the Muslims, who made raids from the territories that they occupied to the south. On taking over the governorship of the province known as Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of León, Count Henry ordered another larger and more solid construction to be built. This represented the beginning of the important defensive structure that we can now see today, dominated by the square keep that stands between the four towers guarding each of the four corners of the walls. Although this is not strictly documented, it is very likely that the building that stands 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.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo
The small church of S. Miguel do Castelo was built in the 13th century. However, according to tradition, this church would have been built in the 12th century by Count Dom Henrique (Henry of Burgundy), where he would have baptised his son, the 1st King of Portugal Dom Afonso Henriques. Of Romanic style and reduced dimensions, this church reveals great simplicity in terms of decoration. Inside, under the floor of this church lie buried the great warriors of the nation’s founding period.
10 minutes here
Centro Historico de Guimaraes
The historical centre in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. The city still has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow streets, paving slabs smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. For a moment you might imagine yourself to be in a mediaeval setting, where the nobility built their houses over time, such as the Mota Prego house, the Vila Flor and Toural palaces, and the many others that give Guimarães its unique atmosphere.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Porto
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Rua de Alexandre Herculano (next to Praça da Batalha)
Options you can book
Spanish Departure - No Entrances
Spanish Tour - No Entrances: By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in Spanish without entrance tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
Portuguese Tour With Entrances
By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in Portuguese with included tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
French Tour - With Entrances
By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in French with included tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
Spanish Tour - With Entrances
By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in Spanish with included tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
French Departure - No Entrances
French Tour - No Entrances: By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in French without entrance tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
English Departure - No Entrances
English Tour - No Entrances: By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in English without entrance tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
Portuguese Departure - No Entrances
Portuguese Tour - No Entrances: By choosing this option, you're booking the tour in Portuguese without entrance tickets to Guimarães Castle & Braga Cathedral
English Tour - With Entrances
By choosing this option, you are booking the tour in English with included tickets to Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Living Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Duration: the hours of duration are approximate 9 hours, The Tour is subject to local traffic, visit schedules, etc
- Please kindly note that access that the castle of Guimaraes has limited access and the access to the walls are now prohibited.
- 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
- Please note: this activity is available with different ticket options, with or without entrance fees included for Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3,392 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
3,392 verified traveler reviews for Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Anabela amazing guide (Braga e Guimares)
Anabela and Franco were amazing, with their passion and kindness they guided us in Braga and Guimaraes, and adviced us with many secrets and many curiosities of the places! Greats lunch recommendations with an amazing baclau with smash potatoes and broccoli robes 😊
via Tripadvisor
Amazing!
The tour was amazing, a lot of historical information, but not boring :) Thanks Anabela and Franco, for a very cosy, beautiful, inspiring day. You guys put a lot of effort into spoiling us 🤗 Obrigada! 🇵🇹♥️
via Tripadvisor
Braga
Had a great day with Annabel’s and Franco. Highlight of my day was the church in Braga, beautiful and intricate organ.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent experience
The tour was excellent! Our guide Anabela and Franco were very friendly, explained everything very well and were very considerate. It was a real pleasure being guided by them. They made the difference between an ordinary and an excellent experience!!!
via Tripadvisor
Very enjoyable
Very informative trip and well organizer. Enjoyed the day.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $54 to $62
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1,202
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Living Tours, who run 16 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.4.
See everything Living Tours runsWhy this scores 86
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Porto.
How much does Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto cost?
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Prices start at $54 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Porto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Porto is not rushed.
Is Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 86 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 3,435 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Porto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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Around 1,202 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Porto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Porto and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Porto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Porto?
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On Outty we rank every Porto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, Douro Valley Small Group Tour: 2 Wineries, Lunch & River Cruise, Best of Porto Walking Tour Small Group Experience and Local Guide. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Porto?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Porto?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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Included: Transportation on a comfortable air-conditioned minibus; Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience); Entrance to Bom Jesus Sanctuary; Walking Tour in Guimarães: UNESCO World Heritage since 2001; and Professional tour guide specialized on the destination. Not included: Gratuities; Personal expenses; Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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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. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Porto. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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Across 3,435 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto?
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There are 8 options to choose from, including Spanish Departure - No Entrances, Portuguese Tour With Entrances, French Tour - With Entrances, Spanish Tour - With Entrances. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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