Largo da Oliveira (Olive Tree Square) is a surrounded by beautiful well kept picturesque northern houses that got its name from the olive tree planted there to supply olive oil for the church altar lamps. Legend has it that the olive tree eventually dried up and a local merchant placed a cross in its place. Miraculously, the olive tree regrew. Unfortunately, the present olive tree is no longer the original one.

Here you will find a Gothic shrine, built in the reign of D. Afonso IV to commemorate the Battle of Salado, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Oliveira and on the northern side of the square a mediaeval building that once housed the town hall and beneath this, a Gothic arcade leads into the Largo de São Tiago

As such, from here you can either make your way to Largo de S Tiago or Largo do Toural

Founded by the Countess Munadona Dias, it has been a place of Marian worship since the 10th century.

Unfortunately little of its original structure remains.

Before the Battle of Aljubarrota, the king D. João I prayed before the image of Santa Maria, there housed. Having won the battle, he then proceeded to honour his vow by rebuilding this church. Work continued until at least 1413, becoming a landmark of Gothic architecture in northern Portugal.

To be found inside this church is the Museu Alberto Sampaio which exhibits, among others, a collection of medieval and renaissance silver pieces and the tunic worn by D João I during the Battle of Aljubarrota

The bell tower, which has marked Manueline features, stands separate from the main body of the church.

Known as Largo de São Tiago (St James Square) for it is believed the apostle James brought the image of the Virgin Mary to this square, in Guimarães, and placed it on the existing pagan temple

Three storeys, 16th-17th century, charismatic houses with wooden balconies brimming with colourful flowers surround this square while cafes and restaurants invite you to sit down and rest for a bit.

It is especially appealing with the fading sun as electrics lamps light up and bring a magical ambience to this square that is alive up to early hours.

From here you follow the narrow Rua de Santa Maria, one of the first streets to be built in Guimarães. Here you will find the Convento de Santa Clara (17th-century), Casa do Arco, with a small emblazoned bridge over the street, Casa dos Peixotos, the Gothic Casa dos Valadares. The “it” street during mediaeval times.

Originally a small hermitage built in 1576 and dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation. However, the current church, designed by the architect André Soares Braga, was completed only in 1785.

Later additions, in the mid 19th century, were the bell towers, designed by the architect Pedro Ferreira, the staircase and the balustrade.

Nowadays the centre of the city, it was during the 18th century, outside Castle Walls and where the cattle and produce market took place.

Here you will find the Pastelaria Clarinha, a pastry shop with more than 65 years and known for serving the best Tortas de Guimarães. Give it a try.

The tradition of working leather is ancient in Guimarães going back to the Middle Ages. It has been greatly responsible for the economic projection of Guimarães and encouraged the development of other complementary activities such as the shoe industry.

The hides from the locally slaughtered cattle were cleaned free from fur and fat and put into shallow granite tanks. They would soak in water, trigging the tanning process.

Oak bark, taken from trees that abound in the high mountains of Fafe, offered the tannin necessary to this process, a piece of knowledge passed down from generation to generation. The tanners’ work was hard, dirty and incredibly smelly.

The old “leather town” was the most insalubrious part of Guimarães.

Commission by the first Duke of Bragança. D. Afonso de Barcelos the illegitimate son of D. João I, during the 15th century. It is inspired by the typical French manor houses.

When the residence of the Dukes of Bragança, one of the wealthiest families in Portugal,  was later moved to the Palace of Vila Viçosa, in the Alentejo, the building gradually fell into disrepair.

It served as a military barrack, and it was only in 1937 that it was restored to its former glory. Inside, pieces of 17th-century furniture, collections of ancient weapons and a remarkable group of four enormous tapestries depicting in great detail scenes from the arrival of the Portuguese in Arzila, the siege of this same city in North Africa and the capture of Tangiers.

On Monte Largo (Broad Hill) stands the Castle of Guimarães.The starting point of Portuguese history, the beginning of the Nation of Portugal.

During the 10th century, the widowed Countess Mumadona Dias, orders the construction of a monastery in her estate Vimaranes (today Guimarães).

Later she surrounded it with stone walls to protect to not only the clergy but the populations from the constant attacks from the Vikings, who arrived by sea from the north of Europe, and the Muslims, who made raids from the territories that they occupied to the south. These were the first stones placed for what was to become the Castle of Guimarães.

During the 12th century, Conde D.Henrique e D.Teresa come to Guimarães, taking over the governorship of the province known as Condado Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of León, ordering another more substantial construction to be built. Here they settled down, and it is believed that it was here that D.Afonso Henriques was born

A church of great simplicity built by Conde D.Henrique (Henry of Burgandy) during the 12th century. It was here that his son, D Afonso Henriques, later the first King of Portugal is believed to have been baptised.

Beneath the floorboards, great knights of the nations founding period are buried.

Monte da Penha (Penha Parque) has excellent hiking trails to wander with numerous caves, boulders, winding paths and lush greenery.

Besides the Sanctuary, there is a campsite, an inn, a mini-golf and horse riding centre, picnic area and a restaurant

To get there, take the cable car, and get one of the best views of Guimarães

Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Penha (Shrine of Our Lady of Penha).

The chapel was commissioned in 1652 and in 1727 was integrated within the Convent of the Immaculate Conception.

The annual pilgrimage is held on the second Sunday in September.

D. Alfonso VI, King of Leon, gave to his son-in-law the Conde D. Henrique de Borgonha (Count Henry of Burgundy), the territories that he had to the south of the river Minho, to be administered in his name, thus constituting the Condado Portucalense.

On the death of D. Henrique de Borgonha his wife, D. Teresa, daughter of King D Afonso VI of Leon succeeded him, since their son, Infante D Afonso Henriques, was still an infant.

D Teresa continued the ambition and course of her husband: to achieve the independence of the county. Nevertheless, the influence gained by her noble Galicians and her hostility to the Portuguese noblemen originated in their revolt under the leadership of her son, D. Afonso Henriques. He eventually defeated his Mother in the battle of S. Mamede in 1128, driving her out of the lands she had ruled for more than fifteen years.

D Afonso Henriques continued battling his way south and in 1143, was recognised as King of Portugal.

In 1127, when D Afonso Henriques found himself surrounded by King D Afonso VII troops, in the Guimarães Castle, Egas Moniz, D Afonso Henriques tutor, addressed the enemy king and promised that D Afonso Henriques would pay obedience to him. With such promise, D. Afonso VII raises his siege.

But D Afonso Henriques does not yield and continues his war for independence. Egas Moniz, seeing that he had given his word in vain, went to D Afonso VII, accompanied by his family, dressed as penitents, surrendering to the sovereign and ready to receive his punishment for not having fulfilled what he had promised. Admired before such greatness and worship of honour to the word given the king sends him in peace.

The Festas Nicolinas begin with the pine tree on November 29 and last for 8 days. Of profane and pagan origin they were completely integrated into the popular culture, and are part of the cities students festivities, with the sound of drums echoing through the city

Tortas de Guimarães: made with puff pastry and stuffed with sweet  “chila (pumpkin)”, eggs and almonds.

Touchinho do Céu: Original recipe from the Convent of Santa Clara it is the ex-libris of the Vimaranense sweets, being considered one of the best in the country. It is an egg-based cake, almonds and sweet “chila (pumpkin)”, wrapped in flour.