[2025 Guimaraes Attraction] Travel Guide for Guimarães Castle (Updated Jul)

| A hidden gem of charm and wonder. Braga in Portugal truly amazed me with its beauty! Today, I’ll share a super-detailed travel guide for Braga, especially focusing on three must-visit attractions: Guimarães Castle, Braga Cathedral, and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary 😍. 🏰 Guimarães Castle History & Features: Built in the 10th century, Guimarães Castle is one of Portugal’s oldest castles and the birthplace of the country’s first king. It witnessed pivotal moments in Portugal’s history and is often called the "Cradle of the Portuguese Nation." The castle has a shield-like layout, surrounded by towers, with the central keep standing 27 meters tall, constructed from granite—truly magnificent. Travel Tips: Stroll through the castle to admire its ancient walls, towers, and fortifications, soaking in the weight of history. Inside, you’ll find exhibits showcasing artifacts like household items and weapons from the era, offering deeper insights. From the castle’s heights, enjoy panoramic views of Guimarães’ old town, where red-roofed, white-walled buildings create a picturesque scene. 🏰 Braga Cathedral History & Features: Built in the 12th century, Braga Cathedral is Portugal’s first cathedral, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. Highlights include the Romanesque Sun Gate, the main portal, the apse of the St. Amaro Cloister, a Manueline-style baptismal font, and niches outside the main chapel. The interior’s gilded wood carvings are exquisite. Travel Tips: Explore the cathedral’s interior to admire its stunning frescoes, sculptures, and religious artifacts, immersing yourself in its spiritual ambiance. Don’t miss the Treasury Museum, home to historically significant relics like the cross used in Brazil’s first Mass. The square outside the cathedral is also perfect for photos, capturing its grandeur. 🏰 Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary History & Features: Perched on the slopes of Mount Espinho overlooking Braga, this sanctuary was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Its architecture, shaped over 600 years, is primarily Baroque, featuring a 116-meter zigzagging staircase divided into the "Stairway of the Five Senses" and the "Stairway of the Virtues," adorned with sculptures and fountains to guide spiritual reflection. Travel Tips: Hike up the staircase to appreciate the Baroque artistry of the sculptures and fountains, or take a taxi to the top and walk down for an easier route. At the summit, visit the viewpoint for breathtaking panoramas of Braga, where red roofs and white walls blend with lush fields—absolutely stunning.

#summerbudgettrip Want medieval magic, scenic views, and UNESCO charm without breaking the bank? ✨ Welcome to Guimarães — the birthplace of Portugal and one of the most wallet-friendly city breaks in Europe. Rich in history, low in cost, and perfect for a chilled summer escape. ⸻ 🏛️ Why Visit Guimarães on a Budget? 🇵🇹 UNESCO History That’s Easy on the Wallet Explore centuries-old castles, palaces, and plazas for little to no cost: • Guimarães Castle – Entry just €3, or free with a city combo pass • Palace of the Dukes of Braganza – Only €5 and full of medieval vibes • Largo da Oliveira & Praça de Santiago – Stroll the heart of the old town for free 🌿 Chill in Medieval Style The city is perfect for walking and wandering, with cobblestone streets, leafy parks, and open-air cafés everywhere. Best of all? It’s compact – no car or taxi needed. ⸻ 💸 Money-Saving Tips in Guimarães 🚆 Easy & Cheap to Reach • Take a train from Porto for under €5 (approx. 1 hour) • Use the Comboios de Portugal app to book ahead and save 🛏️ Budget Accommodation • Guesthouses and Airbnbs start at €25–€35/night • Stay near the historic center for walkable access to all sights • Look for free breakfast or kitchen access to save even more 🍽️ Affordable Eats • Enjoy a full local meal with wine for €8–€10 at traditional taverns • Try the famous Toucinho do Céu (almond cake) — budget dessert heaven • Visit cafés and bakeries for cheap snacks and espresso under €2 🆓 Free & Cheap Things to Do • 🏰 Wander the city walls and take in historic viewpoints • ⛪ Visit Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church — free entry and beautiful inside • 🎨 Explore free art exhibitions at Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães • 🪑 Chill in Jardins do Largo República do Brasil — a postcard-perfect spot for a picnic • 🚡 Take the cable car to Penha Mountain – only €7 round trip for incredible views!

Guimarães, Braga has a special significance for all Portuguese people. The founder of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born in this city. After he grew up, he led the people to repel foreign invaders and established the capital here. UNESCO has listed Guimarães, Braga as a World Cultural Heritage Site. ⛺【Must-visit】 Guimarães Castle This place witnessed the founding of Portugal. The founding king Afonso led the generals to resist the invasion of the Moors here. But now the castle only has 7 towers and the central part. The top floor of the central part has some exhibitions of Portuguese history. The canvas is brightly colored, showing scenes in ancient wars. There is also a helmet of an ancient Portuguese soldier, and many tourists are scrambling to take photos. Under the guidance of the sign, tourists can walk around the city wall in the designated area. Standing on the city wall, you can see the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in front and the vineyard in the distance. The past scenes of war emerge in your mind, and you can imagine the grandeur of the founding king leading thousands of troops. 🛬【Travel Tips】 The town is not big, and the streets still retain the original appearance of thousands of years ago, exuding a simple and quiet atmosphere. There are not many tourists, and the alleys are quiet and winding, as if returning to Portugal in the Middle Ages. 🧡【Tips】: "Oliveira" in Portuguese means "olive tree", symbolizing the blessing of the Virgin Mary and peace and health. The Portuguese-style restaurants in this town are the most authentic, and each one is particularly delicious. Many Portuguese people will go to the town to eat authentic Portuguese food.

Guimarães is located in the northwest of Portugal, in the southern part of the Braga district. At the foot of Mount Santa Catarina, it was founded in the 4th century and was once the capital of Portugal in the 12th century. Afonso Henriques, born in this small town, established the Kingdom of Portugal with Guimarães as the capital in 1143. Since then, Guimarães has been known as 'The Cradle of Portugal'. The city walls still bear a prominent inscription: 'Portugal was born here'. Due to its long history and rich cultural sites, the historic center of Guimarães was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006; it is also loved for its romantic, tranquil atmosphere and authentic cultural sites. In 2012, it was chosen as the European Capital of Culture. The beautiful Guimarães is a city not well known in China, but walking through the old town with its various exquisite and ancient mansions, beautiful gardens, churches, and old palaces can dazzle visitors, making them feel as if they are in the Middle Ages. Standing on the high castle and overlooking those ancient huge steles, churches, towers, courtyards, and old bridges, one can't help but marvel at the vicissitudes of history. Guimarães is my favorite place in this trip to Portugal, without a doubt...