Braga

Tours

Minho is known for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Portugal, as well as being one of the richest regions in history. Explore the area and visit the cities of Guimarães and Braga on a full-day trip from Porto. Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal and of the first Portuguese king. See the medieval castle of Guimarães and spend some time in the historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets and monuments of Guimarães are so well-preserved that it is easy to imagine the past. Go on to spend the afternoon in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. After lunch in a typical restaurant, visit the cathedral and the historical center. You will also see 2 important sanctuaries, the Sameiro Sanctuary and the Bom Jesus do Monte, before making your way back to Porto.

Discover one of Portugal’s hidden treasures on a 10-hour excursion to Gerês National Park. Enjoy a day of hiking, kayaking and savoring local food. The itinerary can be altered to make the best of the weather conditions in winter and summer. Travel to the park in an air-conditioned van. After around 90 minutes, you’ll reach the lake, where you’ll begin your tour by kayaking in the it‘s calm waters. Afterwards, relax on a sandy beach and try to stand up paddle before returning to your vehicle. Stop at a local restaurant with amazing views of Rio Cavado, where you will taste local food and wine. In the afternoon you will find a waterfall and lagoon, where you can swim and relax. Visit the old village of Fafiao, and learn more about Portuguese lifestyle in the countryside.

Let yourself be enchanted by the historic villages, breathtaking views, and mysterious forests of Peneda-Gerês National Park. Enjoy a 60-km course dropping 1400 meters in elevation along the way. Start in Vilarinho das Furnas and get a great view of its dam framed between the Serra Gerês and Serra Amarela. Continue to Albergaria Forest and enjoy the beautiful scenery and rich biodiversity. Visit Portela do Homem near the border at 822 meters of altitude. Discover the river with its waterfalls and natural pools full of crystal-clear water. Head to Lindoso, one of the most beautiful mountain villages of Alto Minho. See its 13th-century castle, which defended Portugal during its conflicts with its neighbor. Enjoy a great view of the Lindoso Reservoir and see the old granaries. End your tour at Tobogã Base, located at Entre Ambos-os-Rios.

Head to Gerês National Park on this 10-hour excursion from Porto. Stop for coffee along the way, before arriving at the park. From June to September, enjoy an 8-kilometer hike that takes you past 10 magnificent natural pools (from November to May, the hike will be 10 kilometers long). Stop to enjoy a refreshing swim along the way. Once you reach the heart of the Park, enjoy a picnic as you admire the stunning views around you. A small picnic will be provided, but if everyone brings something to share, it will be more of a feast.  After taking in the views and fresh air, you’ll return to Porto.

Be collected at your accommodation in the city of Porto and set out to discover northern Portugal. Arrive in Guimarães for a calm walk through the medieval city and enter the Castle, which is known as the birth of the kingdom of Portugal.  Then, visit the Palace of the Dukes and be dazzled by the luxuries of royalty throughout the centuries. Your local guide will tell you the whole history of Portugal. A delicious traditional Portuguese lunch will be served in a restaurant where you can taste the famous Vinho Verde, which is produced in the region.  Travel to the city of Braga, known as the city of the Archbishops. Visit the historical center and the interior of the Cathedral. Go to the top of the mountain and visit the most magnificent Sanctuary in Portugal, Bom Jesus do Monte. 

The tour starts with a visit to the birthplace of the Portuguese nation – the city of Guimarães. This was the first city of Portugal chosen by the first king, Afonso Henriques. Known as the cradle of Portugal, Guimarães has preserved a medieval atmosphere at its core and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your first stop takes place in the northern part of the city with a visit to the imposing 10th century castle and the majestic Dukes of Bragança Palace. Afterward the historical Santa Maria Road leads you to the charming square in the heart of the old town, Largo da Oliveira. After a relaxing lunch break in Guimarães that will certainly allow you to enjoy the pleasures of the cuisine of the north of Portugal, it will be time to continue towards Braga, the oldest religious capital of Portugal. Known to the Romans as Bracara Augusta, for centuries Braga has been and archiepiscopal seat and pilgrimage site. Your first stop is Sé, the 12th century cathedral built by Henri de Bourgogne and Dona Teresa. Then you will head to Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a hilltop pilgrimage site. The 581 steps that the pilgrims climb up to the top of Bom Jesus are one of the most glorious stairways in Portugal. After a visit to these landmarks of faith in the country you head back to Porto.

Are you tired of the day-to-day? Are you looking for a burst of adrenaline? This is the ideal activity for you! Canyoning Adventure is one of the most challenging experiences you can have on the Portuguese mainland! This is where your emotions will be brought to the red, with up to 60 meter rappels, guided rappels to 30 meters in height and more than 40 meters long, with optional jumps that can surpass 11 meters. Find all of this in the longer canyoning routes from mainland Portugal. To accomplish this canyoning, for security reasons, it is a prerequisite to have done the Tobogã Canyoning Middle Level at least once and be considered by the Guidelines as "ready" to the next level of difficulty.

Take an amazing tour through the history of Portugal on a private tour of Braga and Guimarães, with round-trip transportation from Porto. Benefit from pickup at your accommodation, and then travel in air-conditioned comfort to one of the oldest cities, known as Bracara Augusta during the Roman Empire when it was the capital of the province of Gallaecia. See landmark monuments, such as the Sé Cathedral and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Marvel at the grandeur of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro as you make your way to the medieval city of Guimarães, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval architecture. Walk the streets of the historic center to see sights such as the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and Guimarães Castle, built in the 10th century as a defense against the Moors. See the medieval Church of São Miguel do Castelo before getting dropped off at your accommodation in Porto.

You will get picked up at your hotel in the morning and ride in an air conditioned minivan towards "Bracara Augusta" (Braga), the ancient roman city. Begin your visit in the sanctuary of Bom Jesus and prepare yourself to get there in a water-powered funicular (included) built in 1882. From the top of the hill be dazzled with the spectacular belvedere with the entire city below. Reaching the historical center of Braga, it's time to do a small walking tour to get to know the city better. In the outside of the old medieval Wall, visit the church of Congregados and then head  towards the most imposing monument, the Sé Cathedral built in Romanesque style with finishings in Gothic style. Braga being the city of the archbishops, it's cathedral is indeed one of the most spectacular. Visit the old castle tower or the new avenue designed in the early twentieth century where the famous Teatro Circo is located. The visit ends at the prestigious Astoria Café, one of the most beautiful and old cafes in the city. Here you can still get a glimpse of part of the old Wall. After a half day strolling around Braga, relax and enjoy your journey back to Porto.

During this tuk tuk ride you will be taken through the most important historical and architectural points of the city center of Braga to understand the importance and extensive history of the city. Within the maze of narrow streets, Gothic churches back onto modern shopping streets and grand baroque buildings surround peaceful plazas. Braga is the perfect place for history and culture, being home to numerous monuments and attractions, including one of the finest monuments in Northern Portugal, the Bom Jesus do Monte church, a must-do for any trip to Braga. Some of the other sights covered by this tour are the Holy Cross Church, Pius XII Museum, Roman Thermae of Maximinus, Roman ruins of Carvalheiras, Biscainhos Museum, Carmo Church, Mercado Municipal de Braga, Braga City Hall, and the Public Library of Braga. The number of these places visited will depend on the duration booked.