Minho Tour Private (Braga and Guimarães) Full Day
Porto, PT
97% of travellers recommend this
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Duration: 9 hours
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Private tour experience
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Includes lunch at local restaurant
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Expert guide in 4 languages
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
Explore the historic cities of Braga and Guimarães on a private full-day tour, guided by an expert and indulging in local cuisine.
Featured Reviews
Included
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Lunch -
Porto city walking tour (available from the day after your experience)
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
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Private tour
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Driver/guide
Excluded
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Gratuities -
Food and drinks, unless specified
Explore the historic cities of Braga and Guimarães on a private full-day tour, guided by an expert and indulging in local cuisine.
Highlights
- Visit the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Sameiro
- Take a ride on the Bom Jesus Funicular
- Explore the historic Se de Braga cathedral
- Enjoy a delicious traditional Portuguese lunch in Braga
- Discover the birthplace of Portugal at Guimaraes Castle
Pickup
Check if pick-up is available from your location, you will select during checkout (providers may allow other pickup locations)
What to expect
Porto
Your expert guide will collect you from your hotel/accommodation or meeting point and 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.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro
The first stop and visit will be at the highest point of our tour: Sitting at the top of the hill of the same name, at 566 metres of altitude, the Shrine of Our Lady of Sameiro is one of the most visited places of Marian worship in Portugal, providing a privileged view over the city of Braga. Every year attracting many devotees, especially during the pilgrimages of the first Sunday of June and the third Sunday of August.
20 minutes
Bom Jesus Funicular
Sitting at the top of the hill of the same name, at 566 metres of altitude, the Shrine of Our Lady of Sameiro is one of the most visited places of Marian worship in Portugal, providing a privileged view over the city of Braga. Every year attracting many devotees, especially during the pilgrimages of the first Sunday of June and the third Sunday of August.
30 minutes
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
Admission Included
Braga
It's now time for a break. If you chose the lunch included option the guide will take you to a local restaurant where you will have a delicious traditional portuguese meal with drinks included. Try the very famous "Vinho Verde" wine, a white wine with unique caracteristics. If you decided to not to include lunch on your tour, you will have free time and restaurant options to lunch on your own or to explore a bit more Braga's old city center. (Vegetarian option during lunch is available, make sure you request it during the booking process)
60 minutes
Guimaraes
After lunch, 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
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
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
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
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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Specialized infant seats are available -
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
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Please kindly be aware that the overall duration of the activity could be influenced by traffic conditions. We highly advise against scheduling any additional activities or making other plans within the hour following the anticipated completion time.
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Vegetarian and Gluten-free meal options are available if requested before the day of the booking. Make sure you inform us before the tour starts.
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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
What our experts say
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Try the famous 'Vinho Verde' wine. -
Visit the Bom Jesus Sanctuary early.
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Explore Guimarães' historic center.
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Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
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Request vegetarian meal options in advance.
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