Embark on a full-day guided tour of Guimarães and Braga from Porto. Pass through the scenic Minho region and explore the historical centers of these two cities. Optionally, you can also enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant. Minho is known for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Portugal, as well as being one of the richest regions in history. Explore the area and visit the cities of Guimarães and Braga on a full-day trip from Porto. Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal and of the first Portuguese king. See the medieval castle of Guimarães and spend some time in the historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets and monuments of Guimarães are so well-preserved that it is easy to imagine the past. Go on to spend the afternoon in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the cathedral and the historical center. See an important sanctuary, Bom Jesus do Monte, before making your way back to Porto.

Travel in an air-conditioned van from Porto to the cities of Braga and Guimarães on this guided tour. Savor an authentic Portuguese lunch. Get exclusive access to part of Braga Cathedral and stay hydrated on your trip with the included bottled water.  Starts with pickup your hotel or accommodation and relax with your group on the drive in a climate controlled van. Arriving in Braga, we will start by visiting the Bom Jesus Sanctuary and contemplating its magnificent staircase to the top of the church. After a top view of the city, visit the oldest cathedral in the country where you will have exclusive access to the chapel's and high choir. Sit down to a delicious, traditional Portuguese lunch at a restaurant where you can taste the famed "Vinho Verde" that is produced in the region. During the afternoon visit Guimarães. Have time for a calm walk on foot through the medieval city before entering in the Guimarães Castle where the kingdom of Portugal was born.  Continue to the Palace of the Dukes to be dazzled by the luxuries of royalty from other times. A whole history of Portugal will be told by your local guides along the way. Return to your accommodation in Porto at the end of your tour. 

The tour starts with a visit to the birthplace of the Portuguese nation – the city of Guimarães. This was the first city of Portugal chosen by the first king, Afonso Henriques. Known as the cradle of Portugal, Guimarães has preserved a medieval atmosphere at its core and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your first stop takes place in the northern part of the city with a visit to the imposing 10th century castle and the majestic Dukes of Bragança Palace. Afterward the historical Santa Maria Road leads you to the charming square in the heart of the old town, Largo da Oliveira. After a relaxing lunch break in Guimarães that will certainly allow you to enjoy the pleasures of the cuisine of the north of Portugal, it will be time to continue towards Braga, the oldest religious capital of Portugal. Known to the Romans as Bracara Augusta, for centuries Braga has been and archiepiscopal seat and pilgrimage site. Your first stop is Sé, the 12th century cathedral built by Henri de Bourgogne and Dona Teresa. Then you will head to Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a hilltop pilgrimage site. The 581 steps that the pilgrims climb up to the top of Bom Jesus are one of the most glorious stairways in Portugal. After a visit to these landmarks of faith in the country you head back to Porto.

Depart from Porto to see medieval Guimarães and the historic center. Guimarães, the so-called Cradle of Portugal is one of the most important Portuguese historical cities, and a historic center considered a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. Spend a beautiful morning in a beautiful place. After lunch, explore historic Braga and the old Cathedral of Sé. Visit the nearby Bom Jesus Sanctuary and experience the most famous religious sanctuary in Portugal. After visiting Rome, Archbishop Diogo de Sousa drew a city where the squares and churches abound as they are in Rome, which became Braga. Discover this city of traditions and cultures.

You will be picked you up at your hotel in the morning and follow in a air-conditioned minivan towards "Bracara Augusta" (Braga). In Braga will begin the visit to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus where you will get there in a water-powered funicular built in 1882. From the top of the hill you will sight the entire city to where you will continue soon after. Reaching the center of Braga, still on the outside of the old medieval wall where you will visit the church of Congregados and then continue towards its most imposing monument, the Sé cathedral (optional visit) built in Romanesque style with finishing in Gothic style. Braga being the city of the archbishops its cathedral is indeed one of the most spectacular. Still you will remain some churches to visit, so the old castle tower or a the new avenue designed in the early twentieth century where the famous Teatro Circo is. You will end the visit at the prestigious Astoria Café, one of the most beautiful and old of the city. Here you can glimpse part of the old Wall. Towards Guimarães, its time to have some lunch! After tasting the local delicacies, it is time to visit Guimarães. In this walking tour through the historic center, you first visit the castle, but first a brief visit to the Romanesque church of St. Miguel, where was baptized the first king. A little further down you'll visit the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (optional visit), an imposing building built in the fifteenth century to house the Royal family. In this museum space you can see much of the furniture, weapons or tapestries and crockery sources as diverse as the number of sites visited in the maritime expeditions. But there's still so much more to discover in your way to the historical center in the lower part of town. Get to know the beautiful narrow streets heading to Padrão do Salado and to the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church then to immediately descend into the outskirts of the ancient city where the weekly fair happens, today Toural Square to sample the sweets, convent specialties in a typical pastry shop if you feel like indulge in the traditional pastry.

From Porto, discover the beauty of one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal, on a trip in a comfortable vehicle and private driver. On this trip to Minho you will get to know the best of the cities of Braga and Guimarães, two of the oldest and historical in Portugal and recognized by UNESCO. Have a memorable lunch at a local restaurant and choose the places to enjoy: • Braga Downtown, Braga Cathedral, Bom Jesus or Sameiro • Igreja e Convento de Sao Francisco, • Paco dos Duques de Braganca and Guimarães Castle • Arco da Porta Nova e Largo da Nossa Senhora Oliveira Return in comfort to your hotel in Porto after a day that will surely be unforgettable.

Take an amazing tour through the history of Portugal on a private tour of Braga and Guimarães, with round-trip transportation from Porto. Benefit from pickup at your accommodation, and then travel in air-conditioned comfort to one of the oldest cities, known as Bracara Augusta during the Roman Empire when it was the capital of the province of Gallaecia. See landmark monuments, such as the Sé Cathedral and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Marvel at the grandeur of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro as you make your way to the medieval city of Guimarães, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval architecture. Walk the streets of the historic center to see sights such as the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and Guimarães Castle, built in the 10th century as a defense against the Moors. See the medieval Church of São Miguel do Castelo before getting dropped off at your accommodation in Porto.

Your friendly guide will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to historic Guimarães, a 50-minute ride away. Guimarães became known as the nation’s birthplace after Portugal’s first king named it the capital in 1128. Learn about this and more ancient Portuguese history while exploring the renowned city center.  During your exploration, stop in at the 10th-century Guimarães Castle (admission included) before continuing to the Romanesque church of St Miguel. While here, visit the baptismal site of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Stroll over to the stately Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (optional), built in the fifteenth century to house the royal family. Make your way toward the charming lower city to discover what earned this area of Guimarães its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Meander through a sinuous maze of narrow streets, flanked by old houses decorated with statues. Arrive at the towering Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church, where you can glimpse the ancient Padrão do Salado monument. Then journey to the outskirts of the city to explore Toural Square’s weekly fair. Pick up some goodies before driving back to your hotel.

Relax with a pickup from your accommodation. Take in the beautiful scenery on the 1.5 hour trip into the Douro Valley. Learn about the winemaking techniques that have grown with the local communities over the centuries.  Enjoy a morning tasting of Doc and Port wines from a local producer. Enjoy a traditional lunch, celebrating the regional produce and pallet. Afterwards, take a 1-hour boat ride, and admire the surrounding landscapes. Relax by the river with a regionally-flavored cocktail, before returning back to your accommodation.

Your premium day tour of Braga and Guimarães begins with a pickup in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle by your certified guide. You will be led through the streets of Braga, to the busy commercial street of Souto. Along the way, you'll have the chance to gaze at the city's exquisite Baroque facades as well as its beautiful gardens, including the Santa Bárbara Garden. Visit Braga's cathedral, the Sanctuary of Sameiro, and the UNESCO Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a Baroque masterpiece and a famous pilgrimage site. Afterward, pause and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.  Visit the medieval city of Guimarães where your friendly guide will lead you through the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Listen as they recount historical events from Portugal's past, including the history of the country's independence. Continue the tour by discovering the medieval streets and churches of the city. Before finishing the tour, you will also have time to explore the traditional commercial area of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city.