Braga and Guimaraes: 10-day Portugal itinerary
Days 7 and 8: Braga and Guimarães
Braga and Guimarães are days five and six in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal.
These two college towns are among the oldest and most historically important cities in the entire country. Whereas Guimarães is considered the birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom, Braga, is hailed as the place where the Catholic Church first took root in Portugal, and perhaps even the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Braga (Day 7)
Long considered to be Portugal’s most important ecclesiastical center, in Braga, human occupation dates back thousands of years. Famous for its Easter holy week processions when candle-bearing faithful, outfitted in long robes with pointy hoods parade the streets with saints and holy relics. If you can bear to miss out on the processions, the rest of the year, you can explore in relative peace.
Snap pictures of the keep—all that remains of the historic Braga castle—and the Arch of the Porto Nova, a baroque and neoclassical arch and the blue-tiled façade of the Palace of Raio, Braga’s Sé Cathedral (the oldest archdiocese in Portugal), and the sprawling Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, worth the hike up Monte Santo for the bird’s eye view of Braga (particularly striking at sunset) and the life-size dioramas recreating scenes from the life of Christ.
Hop in the car to the Guimarães Studio Lounge. Stow your things in the clean, centrally located accommodations and have a walk around the city’s charming old town before bed.
Paco dos Duques de Bragança is a 15th century castle in Guimarães. Photo: hfmsantos
Day 8: Guimarães
Grab a coffee and a savory chicken and cheese empanada or something sweet for breakfast at Pastelaria Clarinha (Lg. Toural) 86/8) before you start exploring. Just be forewarned, that much like in neighboring Spain, sweets are often made with pork fat — not exactly vegetarian, kosher or halal friendly. In fact, a hefty local dessert specialty, Toucinho do céu, literally translates as bacon from heaven.
After breakfast, explore the ruins at a 1,000-year old castle, thought to be the birthplace of the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques. Next door, snapshots of the massive 15th-century palace, Paco dos Duques de Bragança. Before you head out of town and on to Porto, hop a creaky cable car (or drive the windy, narrow lane) to the top of the forested summit at Penha for sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Make the short trip to Porto (30-minutes to a little over an hour depending on traffic and type of transport selected) via bus, train or car and freshen up in your room at Moov Hotel Porto Centro before you head out for a night on the town. For the cheapest beer and bar snacks in town, head to Espaço 77, a favorite with locals (and a bit of a dive).
Our 10-day Portugal itinerary
Braga and Guimaraes are days seven and eight of our recommended itinerary for a 10-day trip in Portugal. Click below to keep going!
Days 1 and 2: Lisbon
Days 3 and 4: Sintra, Cascais & Coimbra
Days 5 and 6: Valença and Ponte de Lima
Days 9 and 10: Porto
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