Guimaraes
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By plane
The easy way to go to Guimaraes by plane is to fly to Porto/Sa Carneiro/Pedras Rubras,Maia. Oporto international airport(OPO), and then catch a train or a bus to Guimaraes. It's about one hour from Oporto to Guimaraes, by bus, and almost one hour and a half by train.
There are very low cost airlines flying to Oporto, the ones that fly from more places are Ryanair and EasyJet. Also, coming from Paris, Transavia, or, coming from Barcelona Clickair . Certainly, more low cost airlines are flying to Oporto, but the other ones have fewer trips per day.
By train
It's the cheapest and the best way to arrive in Guimaraes. The Portuguese company CP is the one that provides travel by train. If you come from Lisbon you have some, but few, direct travels to Guimaraes. It's about four hours. From Oporto, you have a train every hour.
If you come by train from Europe, on InterRail, for example, you have always to go to Oporto first, and then you catch the train to Guimaraes. This trip can give you the best attractions. One is the cheapest price, and the other is the wonderful views, passing over some small rivers, and small villages, in rural Portugal.
By bus
Rede Expressos, a national bus company, and is the best way to get to Guimaraes. With this company you can travel from almost every city in Portugal.
If you are traveling by cities near to Guimaraes, like Braga, for example, or even Oporto, you always have to ask to people where you can get a bus to Guimaraes. You may make a lot of stops during the trip, but it's a way to better get to know the North.
By car
You have a lot of highways going to Guimaraes, from Braga, Porto, Felgueiras, Chaves, and others. If you are coming from the south of Portugal there is no difficulty at all. The Portuguese highways are all very well connected, and you only have to go straight to Oporto, and then in Oporto you catch A7 (Highway 7) which goes to Guimaraes. It's quite easy.
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Guimaraes Castle
Guimaraes Castle, located in the very centre of the city, this castle have been constructed in the X Century, ordered by Mumadona Dias, with the purpose to defend the city from the Muslims. The first name of the Castle was "Sao Mamede Castle", name given by Mumadona. The first king, Afonso Henriques, lived in this Castle, and started conquering Portugal from the Muslims from this place. Very well kept, the castle is of the greatest historical symbols in Portugal. It has been classified by UNESCO, as World Heritage.
Dukes of Braganza Palace
Dukes of Braganza Palace was probably built between 1420 and 1422, for Afonso, Count of Barcelos - bastard son of king John I of Portugal and future Duke of Bragança. Today, the Palace of the dukes is classified as a National Monument - 1910 - and has in its structure, a museum and the main façade in the 2nd floor is destined to the Official Residence for the Presidency of the Republic.
Penha Mountain
Penha Mountain, is the only mountain in Guimaraes, when you can have a wonderful view over the city. You can go there through an elevator, where you can taste a little more of the mountain spirit, and at the same time get different views of the city.
Largo da Oliveira
Largo da Oliveira (Olive Square), one of the most beautiful places in the city, where you can really feel the ancient times. It's a good place to sit, and have a drink, and look at old construction and typical houses. Here you have Igreja da Oliveira (Olive Church) and the Padrao do Salado.
Casa de Sezim
Casa de Sezim , located in Nespereira , this old manor has astonishing saloons decorated with hand painted wallpaper from 19th century from the french painter Roquemont. Casa de Sezim became the ancestral home of the present family in 1376. The original vellum documents still exist and record that Maria Mendes Serrazinha gave Casa de Sezim to Afonso Martins a descendant of D. Joao de Freitas a companion of D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. The document states that Casa de Sezim was given to Afonso Martins in recognition of " As boas graças que dele recebeu e espera receber e por crença que lhe fez", the good works received from him and hope to receive and for his trusting belief.
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