Discover Guimarães with Local Guide Leandro!
“Hello and bom dia! My name is Leandro, and I’m a local guide and proud native son of Guimarães. Still my home today, I have been in love with this city, one of the most historic in Portugal, for my entire life.
I am fascinated by the rich history my birthplace offers and its wealth of beautiful monuments and landmarks, and there are few things I enjoy more than introducing my city to visitors.
Over the years, I have become rather well-known in Guimarães, so I often bump into friends when out touring with guests. I think this makes my tours a little more fun and personal than more impersonal ones, as by meeting some locals, we’ll get a taste for the people of this city in addition to its historic sites.
Of course, not only will I introduce you to my friends, but I will also introduce you to my beloved Guimarães, from both a touristic and local perspective. Guimarães is an amazing place to spend the day, especially for those who appreciate architecture, history, and nature. And being far less-visited than places like Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, and the Douro Valley, a visit here is a chance to see real life and authentic Portugal, far from the tourist traps and “curated” experiences.
It would be my pleasure to show you around my city, so please do reach out!”
Traveler Reviews
Highlights and Hidden Gems of Guimarães
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $210 USD
Price includes: Your guide (Leandro)
Not included: Entrance tickets to the Castle and Dukes Palace (15 euros per person)
Max participants: 10
Note: All tours are private (only you and your travel partners)
Cancellation Policy: Read our full terms here
Tour highlights: Guimarães Castle, Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, city center walk
Guimarães, my hometown, is known as “the cradle of Portugal” - the birthplace of our modern nation -, and this gorgeous city hosts a tremendous cultural heritage for which it has deservedly earned a UNESCO World Heritage classification.
So, on this 3-hour tour, we’ll visit the historic sights, walk through the prettiest and most historic parts of the city center, and learn about our history, culture, and people, from the ancient past all the way through to what life is like here today.
Of course, the first stop on any Guimarães itinerary could be nowhere other than the imposing 10th century Castle of Guimaraes, inextricably tied to the founding of Portugal. Right next to the Castle is the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, a medieval church that's also a part of the "birthplace of Portugal" mythology, and which we’ll visit too.
After touring the castle and church, we’ll continue our journey through the middle ages, heading a few centuries forward in time to the 15th century Paço dos Duques (Dukes Palace). Here, we’ll tour the magnificent palace, admiring its lovely halls and learning about its history.
At this point, we’ll have covered the two most famous monuments in Guimarães, so it’s now time to explore the medieval historic century, which is a treasure trove of churches, lovely architecture, and pretty streets.
A walk here is truly a pleasure, and we’ll see impressive and ancient buildings at every turn, like the 10th century church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Town Hall, the Oliveira and Sao Tiago squares, and the Santa Clara Convent. At this last one, we’ll enjoy some typical sweets still made according to the nuns’ ancient recipes.
Finally, we’ll end the tour in the beautiful gardens of the Largo Republica do Brasil, the perfect place to cap off a morning or afternoon day spent exploring my hometown.