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Day Trip from Porto to Guimarães: Detailed Travel Itinerary
If you’re planning to explore beyond Porto, a day trip to Guimarães should be at the very top of your list. I spent a month in Porto and did in several day trips, but Guimarães was my favorite!
The day trip already started off perfectly at the stunning São Bento train station. It’s one thing to admire the azulejos, but catching a train from there feels is so much cooler.
Guimarães has a beautiful old town, but what really stayed with me was walking along the castle walls where Portugal’s first king was born. The views are amazing and you get a sense of Portugal’s history.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan your own day trip from Porto to Guimarães, from getting there to the best things to do and where to eat delicious vegan food.
How to Get from Porto to Guimarães
Getting to Guimarães from Porto is simple and honestly, the train is the best way to do it. It departs from the stunning São Bento station, so you’ll start your journey surrounded by those iconic blue tiles (and this time, you’re not just there for the photos).
Train from Porto to Guimarães
The urban trains between Porto and Guimarães run very frequently and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. You can’t buy tickets online, but it’s easy to buy them at the station. Check the timetable here.
A single ticket costs €3.55, making it one of the most affordable day trips from Porto.
Don’t forget to validate your ticket at the machines before boarding! Skipping this step is a common mistake to make in Portugal, and it can lead to a fine even if you have a ticket.
Tours from Porto to Guimarães
While guided tours are available, they only make sense if you’re short on time and want to combine Guimarães with Braga. Otherwise, the train offers more freedom and a better experience overall.
🤩 Check the prices of a combined day trip to Guimarães and Braga!
Guimarães Day Trip Itinerary
8:25 AM – Catch the Train from São Bento Station
Start your day early and head to São Bento station to catch the 8:25 AM train to Guimarães. Trains run roughly hourly, but this one gets you into Guimarães at 9:41 AM, giving you a full day to explore.
Grab a quick coffee and pastry to-go in Porto and enjoy breakfast on the train or get up earlier than I did and sit down for something more filling.
9:45 AM – Arrive in Guimarães and Walk Through the Old Town
From the train station, it’s about a 30-minute walk to the main sights, but the route is lovely so it won’t feel that long.
You’ll pass through the UNESCO-listed old town, which is full of charm, colorful buildings, and cute little corners you’ll want to stop and photograph.
10:30 AM – Explore the Castle and Palace
I like to start my day with the top attraction, and in Guimarães, that’s the Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, which sit right next to each other.
Start by purchasing your ticket at the Palace, even if you only want to enter the Castle, they handle both admissions. You can buy either a single entry or a combined ticket for both.
- Guimarães Castle (€5): This is literally the birthplace of Portugal. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born here. Walking the castle walls is the highlight, offering great city views.
- Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (€5): Built in the 15th century and restored in the 20th, this place has serious grandeur. My personal favorites were the inner courtyard and the chapel with its stunning stained-glass windows, in real life so much better than in a photo.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Da Terra
Once you’ve visited the castle and palace, head back into the old town for lunch. I recommend Da Terra, a Portuguese chain of vegan buffet-style restaurants that’s perfect if you want something quick, filling, and healthy before diving into more sightseeing.
1:30 PM – Wander the Old Town and Visit the Churches
After lunch, it’s time to explore more of Guimarães’ gorgeous old town. This part of the city is filled with small alleys, stone archways, and vibrant little squares. And if you like historic churches, you’re in for a treat.
- Nossa Senhora da Consolação e dos Santos Passos Church: It’s a bit of a walk to get here, but honestly, that’s the best part. It’s a bit of a walk to get here, but that’s the best part. You start at a fountain and stroll up a flower-lined path perfect for photos. The church itself is lovely, but that walk there? Even better.
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira: Right at Largo da Oliveira, the liveliest square in town, this Gothic church sits behind an equally impressive stone monument. The church is free to enter, and it’s worth popping in while you’re there.
- Church of Saint Francis: If you’re not yet tired of beautiful churches, this one has a stunning tiled interior. It’s quieter and a great place to pause and take in that classic Portuguese azulejo tiles.
3:00 PM – Coffee at Largo da Oliveira
Take a break and grab a coffee or cold drink at one of the cafés lining Largo da Oliveira. It’s the perfect place to people-watch and admire the surrounding architecture.
If there’s a local festival going on, you might find artisan stalls or music nearby, I stumbled upon one during my visit, but sadly had to leave before the evening events started.
Pro tip: check the local event calendar before picking your date, Guimarães hosts plenty of cultural festivals and markets that can really enhance your visit.
4:00 PM – Ride the Cable Car to Penha
If you still have energy (and you should!), make your way to the Penha cable car. The ride up gives you stunning views over the city, and at the top, you’ll find a peaceful park with panoramic lookouts.
The Sanctuary of Penha is up there too, while it’s still a pilgrimage site for some, most people come for the view alone.
I didn’t get to do this part because I had dinner plans back in Porto, and it’s one of the few things I regret skipping. If you stay for sunset, I bet the view from Penha is magical.
6:13 PM – Head Back to Porto (or Stay for Dinner)
If you want to catch vegan dinner back in Porto, the 6:13 PM train is perfect, it gets you back in time without rushing through the day.
But if you’re enjoying the vibe in Guimarães and want to extend your stay, you’ve got options. Grab an dinner in town and catch a later train, there’s one at 8:20 PM and another at 9:48 PM.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
See Braga and Guimarães in one day
✅ Make the most out of your time
✅ Visit Guimarães and Braga
✅ See the stunning countryside
Is Guimarães Worth Visiting for a Day?
Absolutely, Guimarães is absolutely worth visiting, it’s one of the best day trips from Porto. With its rich history, charming old town, impressive castle and palace, and scenic viewpoints, it offers a lot.
Even though it’s more touristy than some other day trip destinations, it never felt overcrowded, just lively in the best way. And for me, walking the castle walls and imagining medieval Portugal from above was a highlight I’ll always remember.
👉 Want even more ideas? Check out my full post on things to do in Guimarães for more details, including a few extra stops you might want to squeeze in.
🤩 Combined the day trip to Guimarães with a trip to Braga!
Read more on what to do in the North of Portugal:
- Top 10 Places to Visit in North Portugal
- Ultimate 3 Day Porto Itinerary
- Best Boat Tours in Porto
- The 5 Best Douro Valley Wine Tours
- One Day In Porto Portugal: Ultimate Itinerary
- 7 Best Day Trips from Porto by Train
- We Tried Out 11 Vegan Restaurants in Porto
- Is Aveiro Worth Visiting? A trip to Portugal’s Venice
- Aveiro Portugal: Things to Do for an Unforgettable Time
- Is Coimbra Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons Why It Is!
- Amazing Day Trip from Porto to Guimarães
- Day Trip to Braga from Porto: Is it Worth it?
- Best Beach Near Porto
- Day Trip To Porto From Lisbon: Is It Worth It?
- Lisbon and Porto Itinerary: 7 Epic Days in Portugal
- Amazing 10-Day Portugal Itinerary by Train
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