Old Town Guimarães Travel Guide

Guimarães

Portugal - built under the orders of Mumadona Dias in the 10th century to defend the monastery from attacks by Moors and Norsemen
Portugal - built under the orders of Mumadona Dias in the 10th century to defend the monastery from attacks by Moors and Norsemen
#Castelo #castle #Guimaraes #Portugal #History

O Castelo de Guimarães começou por um mosteiro mandado construir por Mumadona Dias no século X, antes, portanto, da formação de Portugal. Como os ataques dos mouros eram frequentes decidiram construir uma muralha para proteger a comunidade e os monges que viviam no seu interior. Foi esta fortaleza que deu origem ao Castelo de Guimarães. Mais tarde, no século XII, foi neste castelo que nasceu Dom Afonso Henriques que viria a ser o primeiro rei de Portugal. Com a falta de uso o castelo foi-se degradando. Recentemente foi recuperado e classificado como Monumento Nacional. É também considerado Patrimônio Mundial pela UNESCO. Um lugar cheio de história e que foi berço de Portugal. Não é à toa que em um pedaço da muralha original tem os dizeres “Aqui nasceu Portugal”.

The Castle of Guimarães began with a monastery built by Mumadona Dias in the 10th century, before, therefore, the formation of Portugal. As the attacks of the Moors were frequent they decided to build a wall to protect the community and the monks that lived inside. It was this fort that gave origin to the Castle of Guimarães. Later, in the twelfth century, it was in this castle that Dom Afonso Henriques was born. Some years after he would become the first king of Portugal. With the lack of use the castle was degrading. Recently it was recovered and classified as National Monument. It is also considered World Heritage by UNESCO. A place full of history and that was cradle of Portugal. It is no wonder that in a piece of the original wall has the words "Here was born Portugal".
#Castelo #castle #Guimaraes #Portugal #History

O Castelo de Guimarães começou por um mosteiro mandado construir por Mumadona Dias no século X, antes, portanto, da formação de Portugal. Como os ataques dos mouros eram frequentes decidiram construir uma muralha para proteger a comunidade e os monges que viviam no seu interior. Foi esta fortaleza que deu origem ao Castelo de Guimarães. Mais tarde, no século XII, foi neste castelo que nasceu Dom Afonso Henriques que viria a ser o primeiro rei de Portugal. Com a falta de uso o castelo foi-se degradando. Recentemente foi recuperado e classificado como Monumento Nacional. É também considerado Patrimônio Mundial pela UNESCO. Um lugar cheio de história e que foi berço de Portugal. Não é à toa que em um pedaço da muralha original tem os dizeres “Aqui nasceu Portugal”.

The Castle of Guimarães began with a monastery built by Mumadona Dias in the 10th century, before, therefore, the formation of Portugal. As the attacks of the Moors were frequent they decided to build a wall to protect the community and the monks that lived inside. It was this fort that gave origin to the Castle of Guimarães. Later, in the twelfth century, it was in this castle that Dom Afonso Henriques was born. Some years after he would become the first king of Portugal. With the lack of use the castle was degrading. Recently it was recovered and classified as National Monument. It is also considered World Heritage by UNESCO. A place full of history and that was cradle of Portugal. It is no wonder that in a piece of the original wall has the words "Here was born Portugal".
#Castelo #castle #Guimaraes #Portugal

O Castelo de Guimarães começou por um mosteiro mandado construir por Mumadona Dias no século X, antes, portanto, da formação de Portugal. Como os ataques dos mouros eram frequentes decidiram construir uma muralha para proteger a comunidade e os monges que viviam no seu interior. Foi esta fortaleza que deu origem ao Castelo de Guimarães. Mais tarde, no século XII, foi neste castelo que nasceu Dom Afonso Henriques que viria a ser o primeiro rei de Portugal. Com a falta de uso o castelo foi-se degradando. Recentemente foi recuperado e classificado como Monumento Nacional. É também considerado Patrimônio Mundial pela UNESCO. Um lugar cheio de história e que foi berço de Portugal. Não é à toa que em um pedaço da muralha original tem os dizeres “Aqui nasceu Portugal”.

The Castle of Guimarães began with a monastery built by Mumadona Dias in the 10th century, before, therefore, the formation of Portugal. As the attacks of the Moors were frequent they decided to build a wall to protect the community and the monks that lived inside. It was this fort that gave origin to the Castle of Guimarães. Later, in the twelfth century, it was in this castle that Dom Afonso Henriques was born. Some years after he would become the first king of Portugal. With the lack of use the castle was degrading. Recently it was recovered and classified as National Monument. It is also considered World Heritage by UNESCO. A place full of history and that was cradle of Portugal. It is no wonder that in a piece of the original wall has the words "Here was born Portugal".

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Guimarães

Hotel Toural

Hotel Toural

4 out of 5
Lugar A. L. Carvalho Guimarães
Stay at this hotel in Guimarães. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (305 reviews)
Great place .. no parking but they made up for it in so many other ways. The breakfast experience was phenomenal. They bring everything to table. A bit strange in today’s world but the experience was fantastic.

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Hotel Toural
EMAJ Guimarães Boutique Hotel

EMAJ Guimarães Boutique Hotel

4 out of 5
Largo do Toural N 116 Guimarães
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Guimarães. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Popular attractions Galeria de Arte Jose Gomes Alves and Casa dos ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (194 reviews)
All of the above

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

EMAJ Guimarães Boutique Hotel
Hotel da Oliveira

Hotel da Oliveira

4 out of 5
Rua de Santa Maria-Largo da Oliveira Guimarães
Stay at this hotel in Guimarães. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (440 reviews)
This hotel is like stepping back in time. It is beautiful and is located on the main square of the old city. However it is very quiet and safe. We didn’t eat at the restaurant but it is a Michelin restaurant and is very beautiful. The breakfast they served in the morning was amazing. The room was ...

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Hotel da Oliveira
Holiday Inn Braga by IHG

Holiday Inn Braga by IHG

4 out of 5
RUA COMPLEXO DESPORTIVO 93 Braga
Stay at this hotel in Braga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Sete Fontes and BragaShopping are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (79 reviews)
Everything was very good except the staff at breakfast. They’re not well trained. Then at night we ordered a club sandwich with fries and it took 45 minutes to get it and it was cold. We only heard 5 times I’m sorry nothing else, so we had to pay 15€ for the cold sandwich. They need to be trained ...

Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025

Holiday Inn Braga by IHG
INNSiDE By Meliá Braga Centro

INNSiDE By Meliá Braga Centro

4 out of 5
Avenida Central Nº 107 a 117 Braga
Stay at this spa hotel in Braga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Popular attractions BragaShopping and Praça da República are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (105 reviews)
We spent a night in braga last minute and it was just lovely. The pool was welcoming on hot days and staff were so friendly. our room was perfect very happy with our stay.

Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025

INNSiDE By Meliá Braga Centro
Hotel Urban Estação

Hotel Urban Estação

3 out of 5
Largo Da Estacao 13 Braga
Stay at this hotel in Braga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Arco da Porta Nova and Palacio dos Biscainhos are ...
7.8/10 Good! (182 reviews)
Rooms advertised was not the same, parking was terrible and not free, front desk staffs was terrible and unprofessional. I will not recommend this place.

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2024

Hotel Urban Estação
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.



Old Town Guimarães Travel Guide