Your next Portuguese city break (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Tiled buildings, sun kissed streets, and Portuguese sweet treats. Sound familiar?
Nope, we’re not talking about the likes of Lisbon or the Algarve.
Head around 30 miles north from Porto, and you’ll find Guimarães, a UNESCO Heritage site and the original capital of Portugal.
While it might get overshadowed by it’s more popular neighbour, Guimarães is well worth adding to your ‘must-visit’ list.
Lots of pretty squares to stroll around (Picture: Getty Images)
Dubbed one of ‘the most beautiful small towns in Europe’ by CN Traveller, historic Guimarães has a little bit of everything: from a 1000-year-old castle to a thriving arts scene, after being named the Capital of Culture back in 2012.
Lonely Planet describes its centre as ‘a warren of labyrinthine lanes and picturesque plazas’ but adds that it has a ‘creative edge’, making the city unique.
Meanwhile, TripAdvisor says the place is ‘straight out of a fairy tale’, and reviewers agree.
‘Everywhere was so full of fun and happiness under a perfect sunny sky and a pleasant evening,’ wrote one visitor.
Picture perfect (Picture: Tim Graham/Getty Images)
While another said she ‘fell in love’ with the city, adding: ‘So charming and so easy to walk around. Nice restaurants and cute little boutiques.’
Still need convincing? Here’s everything you need to know about your next city break destination.
How to get to Guimarães
Your next Portuguese destination (Picture: Getty)
While there is no airport in Guimarães, the journey from the UK is pretty straight forward.
You’ll need to catch a direct flight to Porto from the UK, with prices starting from just £43 return in October, according to SkyScanner. Even in August 2025, in the height of summer, return flights are just £109. Both Ryanair and EasyJet fly to the Portuguese city, so you’ll have lots of options to chose from.
The flight takes around 2hr 30minutes. Once there, you’ll need to get a train up to Guimarães from Porto’s main station, Porto São Bento. This will take you about 45 minutes, and is an absolute steal with tickets costing around £14.
Tickets can be purchased on the day, or online from the Comboios de Portugal website, the state-owned rail company.
5 fab hotels to stay at in Guimarães on Booking.com:
Bellu Suites – £55
Eurostars Santa Luzia – £60
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimaraes – £100
Stay Hotel Guimarães Centro – £40
Hotel da Oliveira – £124
Prices checked in September 2024 for a four star stay for one night for two adults in November 2024 in Guimarães City Centre.
What’s the weather like in Guimarães
As you’d expect from a Portuguese city, Guimarães has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and colder winters.
The best time to visit is during the summer months, from June to September, when the temperature reaches highs of 25°C in August.
The coldest month is usually January with average highs of almost 13°C.
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Top places in Guimarães ⬇️ – Castle of Guimarães; …read more
Source:: Metro
