Travel Guide to Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Lapa

Getting There

• Public Transport

  From the center of Guimarães, walk to the Guimarães train station (Estação de Guimarães), which is about a 15-minute walk. Once at the station, take a train towards the nearby town of Fafe. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes. Get off at the Fafe station. From there, you can catch a local bus (Bus Line 34) that goes directly to Soutelo. Make sure to check the bus schedule in advance, as services may vary. After arriving in Soutelo, walk towards Monte de Penamourinha, where Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Lapa is located. The sanctuary is a short 15-minute walk uphill from the bus stop.

• Walking

  If you prefer to walk, you can take the scenic route from Guimarães to Soutelo. Start at the historic center of Guimarães and head towards Rua de São Francisco, then follow the signs towards the outskirts of the city. Continue along the path until you reach the N101 road. Follow N101 towards Soutelo. It's about a 6km walk and will take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. Once you arrive in Soutelo, you will need to navigate towards Monte de Penamourinha, where the sanctuary is located. This walk is moderately challenging as it involves some uphill sections.

• Bicycle

  For those who enjoy cycling, you can rent a bicycle in Guimarães. Start your ride from the city center and head towards the N101 road, following the signs to Soutelo. The ride is about 6km and takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Once you reach Soutelo, park your bicycle and walk to Monte de Penamourinha, which is a short distance away. The bike ride is mostly straightforward, but be cautious of traffic on the main roads.