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Private Tours from Porto: Historic Towns of Guimarães and Braga – 9 Hours

January 5, 2015 By International Lodging Corporation

ILC-blog-Private-Tours-Porto-Day-Trip-Guimaraes-and-BragaThe Minho region in the northwest corner of Portugal is one of the country’s best kept secrets. It is the most traditional part of Portugal, and with its rolling hills and lush river valleys, it is also the greenest part of the country. Located within an hour’s drive from Porto, visitors can explore the historic town of Guimarães, the country’s first capital, and Braga, the country’s oldest city.

Your guide/driver will pick you up at your hotel to begin your 9 hour private tour. The first stop will be the town of Guimarães. The picturesque medieval city is considered the birthplace of the nation, as it was the country’s first capital and the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king. You will take a panoramic tour of the well preserved town center, including the 10th C. Castle of Guimarães, and the 15th C. Palace of the Dukes of Bragança.

The next stop on the tour is a visit to Braga, the capital of the Minho region and the oldest city in the country. It has also been the religious capital of the country since Roman times. You will take a panoramic tour of the historic city center, including the Cathedral of Braga, which is Portugal’s oldest church.

You will then continue on to the Santuário Bom Jesús do Monte, located about 5 km. east of Braga. This important pilgrimage site was begun in 1722 and is considered one of the masterpieces of European Baroque style. Its centerpiece is the hilltop granite double staircase lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross, the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity).

You will arrive back at your hotel around 6:00pm. The private tour can be customized to meet your specific interests. Monument visits are optional and can be decided upon with your guide. There will be time during the day to have lunch.

2022 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $445 – Daily (start time at 9:00am / return at 6:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $550 – Daily (start time at 9:00am / return at 6:00pm)

All tours:

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver with transportation for 9 hours
  • Price does not include meals or entrance fees (if any), which are extra
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Portuguese law
  • Common languages available: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Note: Guide/driver is not authorized to conduct tours inside of monuments or museums.

Photo credit: Filipe Fortes

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

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Filed Under: Portugal, Private Tours (Portugal) Tagged With: Braga, Guimarães, Porto (Private Tours) Day Trips, Portugal

Sites to See – Santuário Bom Jesús do Monte, Braga (Portugal)

February 17, 2012 By International Lodging Corporation

 

The city of Braga has had a long-standing importance as a religious capital. This is evidenced by the nearly three dozen churches you will find, one of which is the Cathedral of Braga. The Cathedral was begun in 1070 and is the Portugal’s oldest church.

An important pilgrimage site in Braga is Bom Jesús do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount), which was begun in 1722 and is located just 5 km east of the city center. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Considered one of the masterpieces of European Baroque style, its centerpiece is the hilltop granite double staircase lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross, the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity). Sitting atop the staircase is the twin-towered neoclassical church that was begun in 1784.

Visitors can make the 381 ft. climb on foot, or you can follow the pilgrims’ tradition of ascending on your knees. There is also an old-fashioned funicular that will take you to the top of the hill, which was the first to be built in the Iberian Peninsula and is still in use today. The views of the city below from the hilltop are quite stunning. For more information on the city, click here.

N103-3 (5 km east of Braga)

Phone: +351 (25) 367 66 36

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Historic Towns of Guimarães and Braga tour, click here, and for information on all of our Porto Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Portugal, Sites to See Tagged With: Braga, Portugal, Sites to See - Portugal, UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Next Stop…Braga, Portugal

November 23, 2011 By International Lodging Corporation

Visitors to northern Portugal should be sure to stop in Braga, the oldest city in Portugal. Located in the northwestern corner of the country, Braga was established in 27 BC by the Romans. It is one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and has been the country’s religious capital since Roman times.

The Cathedral of Braga is Portugal’s oldest church. It was built in the 12th C. by the parents of the first king, Henry of Burgundy and Teresa, who are entombed in the chapel.

An important pilgrimage site in Braga is Bom Jesús do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount), which was begun in 1722 and is located just 5 km east of the city center. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. This hilltop site can be reached by car, by ascending the monumental stairway on foot, or by old-fashioned funicular.

Braga is also the capital of the Minho region, a region best known for its colorful festivals, baroque churches, well-preserved cities and lush vegetation. The city’s young population, attractive historic center, and lively streets make Braga an excellent base from which to explore this beautiful area. For more information on the city, click here.

If you decide to spend a night or two in the area there are some special Pousadas to choose from in the nearby towns of Guimarães and Amares. The Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães is a 12th C. former Augustinian monastery that is one of the most impressive hotels in the Pousadas group. For more information and reservations, click here. The Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, Santa Maria do Bouro is a 12th C. former monastery located in the picturesque town of Amares. For more information and reservations, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide, if you want to visit Braga as a day trip from Porto. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Porto Day Trip that includes Braga, click here, and for information on all of our Porto & Porto Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo credit: Rui Chicória, License CC BY 3.0 / Photo of Praça da República

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Filed Under: Places to See, Portugal Tagged With: Braga, Porto (Day Trips), Portugal, Portugal - Next Stop

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