Guimarães

Creative Arts
The old market of Guimarães was transformed into a space dedicated to the artistic, cultural and socio economical activities.

Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança)
This grandiose estate house of the 15th century was built by D. Afonso (the future Duke of Braganza) as a residence for his second wife.

Convent of St. Anthony of the Capuchins Friars (Convento do Santo António dos Capuchos)
Founded in 2008 by the Holy House of Mercy of Guimarães in order to preserve and value the artistic and cultural heritage of Guimarães.

Museum of the Castro’s Culture (Museu da Cultura Castreja)
The museum is lodged in Solar da Ponte, a country house of the 14th -18th century and the property of the Society Martins Sarmento.

Museum of Alberto Sampaio
The museum was founded in 1928 to receive the collections of the extinct College of Our Lady of the Olive Tree and other churches and convents in the region of Guimarães.

The Castle of Guimarães
It started to be a monastery founded by the Countess Mumadona Dias, in her estate, in the 10th century, following the death of her husband. The need to protect the monks and the Cristian population brought about the fortification of the precincts that later became the Castle of Guimarães.

Square of St James (Praça de S. Tiago)
The image of the Holy Virgin was brought by the apostle St. James and placed in a pagan temple situated in the square that from there on was called Square of St. James.

St. Michael’s church (Capela de S. Miguel)
This is a small plain building of the 12th century in the Romanesque style that is part of the complex of the Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. It was restored in the 20th century.

The church of Our Lady of the Olive Tree (Igreja da Nossa Senhora de Oliveira)
The origins of the Illustrious Royal College of Our Lady of the Olive Tree date back to the monastery of the Saviour of The World, the Holy Virgin and the Holy Apostles.

The Church of St. Francis (Igreja S. Francisco)
The Church and Convent of St. Francis were first built by order of king D. João I in 1400, but underwent several changes between the 15th and the 17th centuries.

Street of St. Mary (Rua de Santa Maria)
This is one of the first streets open in town, as it was planned to link the convent to the castle of Guimarães.

Square of Toural (Largo do Toural)
Considered as the heart of the town, the square is in the gate of the same name where once the cattle market took place.

Monument of Salado (Padrão do Salado)
This is a Gothic porch built in the Square of the Holy Mary to commemorate the victory of the battle of Salado in 1340.

Convent of St. Clare (Convent de Santa Clara)
This is regarded as one of the most opulent buildings of Guimarães, with a Baroque façade and the image of St. Clare in the middle. It was built in the 16th century.

House of the New Street (Casa da Rua Nova)
This is a good example of the civilian architecture of the town.

Palace and Cultural Centre of Vale Flor (Palácio e Centro Cultural Vila Flor)
It was built in the 18th century by the Carvalhos’ family. The gardens are decorated with granite statues of the first kings of Portugal.

House of the Lobos Machado (Casa dos Lobos Machado)
Dating from the second half of the 18th century, the façade is in the Rocaille style. The decoration, carved in the local granite of coarse grain, is vigorous and dynamic.

Chapels of the Stations of the Cross of Christ (Capelas dos Passos da Paixão de Cristo)
The Stations of the Cross or Via Sacra are demonstrations of popular devotion evoking the Passion of Christ and this can be seen not only in the churches but also in small oratories scattered in town.

Gardens and Park of the (Pousada de Santa Marinha da Costa)
The gardens and park of the Pousada de Santa Marinha represent a remarkable scenic group, with a significant botanic diversity. It was originally part of the old Monastery da Costa, founded in the 12th century.

The City Park
Located in the town centre, with a profusion of green vegetation, it is suitable for calm and pleasant walks. The park has some 30 hectares.

The Mount of Penha
The Mount of Penha or simply Penha offers a privilege view of the town of Guimarães and has magnificent surroundings. Here you can find a sanctuary, a mountain camping park, a mini-golf, maintenance circuits, an equestrian centre, as well as picnic areas and walking trails.

Park of Penha
At 500m high it is part of the National Ecologic Reserve, comprising an extensive green area of Guimarães.

Citânia de Briteiros
This archaeological site, in the vicinity of Guimarães, is a large oppida, a remarkable proof of the existence of primitive settlements of the pre-Roman period in the region. It has been restored and belongs to the Castro’s Culture of the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Village of St. Torcato
This is basically a rural village situated on the left bank of the river Selho.

Campo d’Ataca
According to the legend it was here that the Battle of St. Mamede was fought and D. Afonso Henriques conquered the leadership of the Portucalense County, the forerunner of Portugal, as an independent country.

Convent of Santa Marinha da Costa
A convent with remains of a pre-Romanesque temple.

Caldas das Taipas
This village has several attractions, among which a spa called “Old Baths”.

Ponte da Pisca
This medieval bridge is part of the parish of Creixomil.

Cellars of Casalinho
A place where you can taste and buy one of the best Vinho Verde wines in the region of Vizela.

In the Centre of Guimarães
In the centre of Guimarães you can find different sorts of shops selling a variety of products, from regional to beauty products and clothes.

Guimarães Shopping
This is a mall forming a complex of shops, restaurants, cinemas, supermarkets and a pharmacy.

Espaço Guimarães
A large retail park, where you can find different types of shops from decor to cloths, restaurants, a supermarket, a pharmacy and cinemas.

Factory Shops
Guimarães and the surrounding region is a well-known hub for the textile and shoe industry. In the headquarters of some of these factories you can find a shop open to the public with inviting prices and a variety of products.

Spa of Vizela
This is a unique spa, where you can swim in the spa swimming pool or relax and enjoy a massage and a treatment at the hands of the specialized staff.

HAMMAN
Arabic Spa located in House of Mourisco.

In Guimarães and surroundings (e. g. Vizela, Moreira de Cónegos, Guardizela) there are several restaurants offering not only the traditional Portuguese food but also Italian and Japonese food. Here is a list of restaurants suggested by Quinta de Freixieiro:

S.Gião *****
Avenida Comendador António De Almeida, 56 – Moreira de Cónegos – Guimarães – 253561853

Pirâmide do Egipto****
Largo da Estação,1 ( Estação de Comboios de Moreira De Cónegos) – Moreira De Cónegos – Guimarães – 918101504

Águia D’ouro****
Rua Ferreira Caldas, 94, Vizela – Guimarães – 253481216

Mikisushi****
Avenida Abel Salazar – Guimarães Shopping – Guimarães -253 098 669 – Park your car in the parking of the Guimarães Shopping, the restaurant is right outside next to the cinema theatre.

In the centre of Guimarães you can find a great variety of Bars and Restaurants, where people of all ages and venues go, including the university students that daily go to these places.
The disco bar Eskada is well known and a lively place to go.It is located in Vizela, a short distance from Quinta de Freixieiro.