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Sites to See…Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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ILC-blog-Sites-to-See-Portugals-UNESCO-World-Heritage-SitesPortugal has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with most of them located on the mainland and 3 located on the islands of Madeira and the Azores. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) administers the World Heritage Programme that designates and catalogs places that are of significant cultural or natural importance.

To help you plan your itinerary for your next trip to Portugal, the following is a list of the World Heritage Sites located in Portugal:

Lisbon and environs

  • Monastery dos Jerónimos and Tower of Belém (Lisbon) – for more information on Jerónimos, click here, for more information on Belém, click here
  • Cultural Landscape of Sintra – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Alcobaça – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Batalha – for more information, click here
  • Convent of Christ in Tomar – for more information, click here
  • University of Coimbra –  for more information, click here

Alentejo region

  • Historic Center of Évora – for more information, click here
  • Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

Porto and environs

  • Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar – for more information, click here
  • Historic Center of Guimarães – for more information, click here
  • Alto Douro Wine Region
  • Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde
  • Sanctuary of Bom Jesús do Monte in Braga – for more information, click here

Madeira and the Azores

  • Laurisilva of Madeira
  • Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
  • Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (Azores)

For more information on Portugal’s World Heritage Sites, click here.

Photo Credit: © Posto de Turismo de Alcobaça (Tourism Office of Alcobaça). Photo of Monastery of Alcobaça

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

Private Tours from Porto: Guimarães – 4 Hours

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The picturesque medieval town of Guimarães 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. It is located about 30 miles northeast of Porto, in the heart of the Minho region, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The historic center of town is well preserved and has a number of stone buildings that date from the 10th to the 15th centuries, and a quaint main square, Largo da Oliveira (Olive Tree Square). Just a short walk from the square is the 15th C. Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. The nearby 10th C. Castle is closely linked to the military history of the founding of the nation. Positioned between the castle and the palace is the Church of São Miguel do Castelo. Legend has it that Afonso Henrique was baptized in this church.

On this 4 hour private tour you will have a chance to explore the main sites in this charming city. Your guide/driver will pick you up at your hotel to begin your private tour. Your guide will customize the tour to include the sites that are of most interest to you.

A suggested itinerary could include:

  • Tour of the historic city center
  • Visit to Guimarães Castle
  • Visit to the Palace of the Duques de Bragança

2023 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $325 – Daily (start time at 9:00am or 2:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $445 – Daily (start time at 9:00am or 2:00pm)

All tours:

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver with transportation for 4 hours
  • Price does not include 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: Luis Miguel Jorge Duarte (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Photo of Palace of the Duques de Bragança

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

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

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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.

2023 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $480 – Daily (start time at 9:00am / return at 6:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $615 – 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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