A Portuguese city with a ‘creative edge’ is one of Europe’s best — with hotels from £40

Tiled buildings, sun kissed streets, and sweet Portuguese treats. Sound familiar?

No, we’re not talking about the likes of Lisbon or the Algarve.

Head about 30 miles north of Porto, and you’ll find it GuimarãesUNESCO Heritage Site and the original capital of Portugal.

Although it can be overshadowed by its more popular neighbors, Guimarães should also be added to your ‘must-visit’ list.

Named one of the ‘most beautiful small towns in Europe’ by CN Traveller, historic Guimarães has it all: from a 1000-year-old castle to a thriving art scene, after being named Capital of Culture in 2012.

Lonely Planet describes the center as ‘a maze of labyrinthine lanes and beautiful plazas’ but adds that it has a ‘creative edge’, making the city unique.

Meanwhile, TripAdvisor says the place is ‘straight out of a fairy tale’, and reviewers agree.

‘Everywhere is full of fun and happiness in clear skies and pleasant evenings,’ wrote one visitor.

While another said he was ‘in love’ with the city, adding: ‘It’s so charming and easy to walk around. Great restaurants and cute little boutiques.’

Still need to be convinced? Here’s everything you need to know about your next city break destination.

How to get to Guimarães, Portugal

While there is no airport in Guimarães, travel from the UK is fairly straightforward.

You should catch a direct flight to Porto from the UK, with prices starting at just £43 back in October, according to SkyScanner. Even in August 2025, at the height of summer, return flights are just £109. Ryanair and EasyJet fly to the Portuguese city, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

The flight takes around 2 hours 30 minutes. Once there, you should take the train to Guimarães from Porto’s main station, Porto São Bento. It will take you around 45 minutes, and is an absolute steal with tickets costing around £14.

Tickets can be bought on the day, or online from the website of Comboios de Portugal, the state rail company.

What is the weather like in Guimarães, Portugal?

As you would expect from a Portuguese city, Guimarães has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cooler winters.

The best time to visit is during summer, from June to September, when the temperature reaches 25°C in August.

The coldest month is usually January with an average high of almost 13°C.

What to do in Guimarães, Portugal

Guimarães is an important place for the history of Portugal, in fact, there is a sign here that reads ‘aqui nasceu Portugal, which means ‘Portugal was born here.’

History lesson time. Back in 1128 Afonso Henriques defeated the Moors, and essentially freed the nation. Alfonso was born in c, and made the city his capital. This city is often referred to as the ‘cradle city’ because of the King.

The city has a well-preserved historic center, with narrow streets, beautiful squares and medieval houses. There is a Romanesque church, the Church of S. Miguel, consecrated in 1239, and the 1,000-year-old Guimaraes Castle. Climb to the highest point of the castle, and you will get a stunning panorama.

If it’s more scenery you’re after, hop on the cable car, 600m up Gunung Penha. Here, you can walk around the hill (a popular spot for locals in the summer), and visit the striking, but beautiful, 1930s modernist church.

But despite his old age, Guimarães has a youthful energy. With around half of the population under the age of 30, Guimarães is one of the youngest cities in Europe, as well as having a healthy student population.

The Platform for Art and Creativity was built for the city’s recognition as a European Capital of Culture, and looks like a collection of stacked boxes.

The museum has visiting exhibition spaces, as well as a permanent collection by José Guimarães, known for his Portuguese pop art.

There is also nightlife. Sip a sundowner in one of the many bars in São Tiago Square or go to the Concert Café in the Villa Flor Cultural Center and Palace, not far from the old city center. With a beautiful minimalist interior, there are cocktails and live music on weekends.

The jazz festival, Guimarães Jazz, is also held here every autumn – this year, it runs from November 7 to 16, and is in its 33rd year.

Finally, don’t think you’re missing out on great food if you come to a lesser-known city. Michelin-starred A Cozinha has an exciting (and constantly changing) nine-course tasting menu that showcases traditional Portuguese flavors, with dishes such as oysters and elderberry, and corn and piri piri quail. You can also see the chef at work, as the kitchen is behind a glass wall.

And if you’re still hungry, the Hotel da Oliveira Hool, also a popular spot, again serves up a variety of tasting menu options. Dishes such as Azorean mackerel and gazpacho, or eggs and black truffles are certainly unforgettable.

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