Private Guimarães and Braga Where You Pick the Visits, Funicular at 274 Metres

Porto

The day starts with a private pickup at your hotel or an agreed meeting point in Porto, and the drive to Guimarães in a private vehicle. On the way the licensed driver-guide sets up Guimarães and its part in the formation of Portugal, so the morning has some context behind it.

Guimaraes

A walk through the UNESCO listed historic centre of Guimarães, taken at a measured pace. It is one of the most complete medieval urban cores in Portugal.

Praca de S. Tiago

Oliveira Square, the Oliveira church and Saint James Square, the civic and religious centre of medieval Guimarães. This opening run gives the scale of the place, which is smaller and more intimate than people expect.

Rua de Santa Maria

Rua de Santa Maria, one of the emblematic streets of Guimarães, linking the lower civic quarter to the monumental one. The facades and the noble houses along it show how the city grew without breaks.

Paco dos Duques de Braganca

If you choose it: the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, one of the most important noble residences in northern Portugal, and a direct look at court life, political symbolism and dynastic power.

Costo extra

Igreja de Sao Miguel do Castelo

A stop at the small church of São Miguel do Castelo, traditionally linked to the baptism of the first king of Portugal. Its plainness, and its position next to the castle, are the whole point of it.

Guimaraes Castle

If you choose it: the Castle of Guimarães, the medieval fortress that defines the city and one of the strongest symbols in the country. The walls and the height they stand at connect the town directly to the origins of Portugal.

Costo extra

Braga

Lunch is deliberately flexible and is not in the base price. You can take a traditional restaurant or something lighter in the centre of Braga. After lunch the walk through the historic centre of Braga starts, laid out to avoid doubling back on itself.

Arco da Porta Nova

The Arco da Porta Nova, the ceremonial doorway into the historic centre of Braga, and then the Garden of Santa Bárbara, the most elegant public space in the city.

Braga Cathedral — Sé de Braga If selected

If you choose it: Braga Cathedral, the oldest in Portugal and the historical centre of the city in every sense. The layers of architecture in it are centuries of religious and artistic change stacked on one building. The Chapels and Upper Choir can be added on top, for the parts most visitors never reach.

Costo extra

Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular If selected and available

If you choose it, and if it is running: the ascent by the Bom Jesus funicular, opened in 1882 and the oldest water-powered funicular still in operation anywhere. The two cars counterbalance each other, going up and down at the same time on parallel tracks over a course of 274 metres. Each car holds 39 people including the driver. It was the first lift of its kind built in the Iberian Peninsula. Optional, 2 € per person.

Costo extra

Bom Jesus do Monte Arrive at Bom Jesus do Monte

Bom Jesus do Monte, the sanctuary setting that closes the day. Architecture, devotion, landscape and a view over the whole of Braga, all in the same place.