Private Tour Braga Guimarães from porto

Visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus The Bom Jesus de Braga Sanctuary has inspired many buildings across the world such as the Matosinhos Sanctuary of Bom Jesus in Congonhas, Brazil and the Our Lady of Remedies Sanctuary in Lamego, Portugal, to name a few. Whether you choose to climb the mountain on foot or get to the top by car, take time to stop for a while at the 3 Square Chapels. If this place is the starting point for the discovery of the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary through its magnificent staircases, it also offers incredible views to the entire region of Braga. Avail yourself of the opportunity to stop for an ice cream or a refreshing drink in the small shop wisely installed halfway to the sanctuary and the Bom Jesus Church.

Composed by chapels of the Cross and the church, a monumental staircase and promenade dotted with statues and fountains symbolic, this model had wide repercussions in Portugal and in Brazil, serving as inspiration to many other sanctuaries.

Constitutes cable car that connects the upper part of the city of Braga to Sanctuary . It is run by the Brotherhood of Bom Jesus do Monte. The resort of Bom Jesus is not limited to being a religious office, is also a tourist resort. Here the pilgrim and tourist find an environment that invites to rest and gather through its lush forest and its hotels.

Visit to the Cathedral of Braga Be surprised by the Cathedral of Braga, the oldest religious temple of Portugal. The Sé or Cathedral of Braga is the oldest religious temple of Portugal. It’s building began during the year 1070, and its construction took a century. This temple has a beautiful set of architectural styles, among which one can enjoy the Romanesque in the structure; the Manueline in its covering, or the Baroque, in their magnificent ornaments. From the outside, the highlights are the Manueline towers and roof carried out by João Castilho, the same person who built the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon.

The visit to Braga ends with a walk through the gardens of Santa Barbara and visit to Republic Square

Visit the Castle of Guimarães Looming large over the city center, Guimarães Castle is one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval strongholds in Portugal. Dating from the 10th century, its enormous square keep and the eight crenelated towers that surround it remain a familiar and much cherished landmark. The castle is believed to be the birthplace in 1110 of Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques, and as such is regarded by many as a national shrine; the much-visited font where he was baptized is kept in the Romanesque chapel of São Miguel, tucked into the western end of the castle. Mass is celebrated here annually on the king's birthday to commemorate the event. In 1159 the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, placed a mysterious seal on a charter that awarded the Knights Templar one third of his new, hard-won territory -- an extraordinary move for a new monarch. On this strip of land the Templars would erect they most famous and lasting monuments:

Visit to Chapel St Miguel According to legend was baptized here the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques. The medieval Church of São Miguel do Castelo in Guimarães is within the grounds that encompass Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança). This small, squat Romanesque chapel, with little decoration, is of particular importance in the history of Portugal - if (and it is a big if) the legend that the infant Afonso Henriques was baptized here is, in fact, true. Plaques within the church proclaim that this was indeed the case but the historical evidence would seem to prove otherwise.

Visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza Majestic XV century manor house, constructed by D. Afonso - the future Duke of Braganza, bastard son of King John I The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança) is located in the very heart of Guimarães. It was the home to the first Dukes of Braganza from the 1420s. The palace fell into disrepair after the 16th century when the duke moved to Vila Viçosa. This decline was accelerated when the locals began to use the palace as their personal quarry to build there own homes. The palace became classified as a National Monument in 1910 and has been much restored towards its former glory..

We continue our day trip with a visit to Guimarães walking down the Rua de Santa Maria (old city) to Largo da Oliveira and visiting the Church of the Olive