Braga Day Trips

Visitors to Braga Portugal often include a visit to Ponte Lima and Guimaraes. It takes 50 minutes by bus from the Braga bus terminal to Ponte de Lima while the journey from Braga to Guimaraes by train takes about 1hr 25 mins with a change of train at Trofa. From Guimaraes bus terminal it takes 50 minutes return to Braga and is well worth the effort to see this beautiful city.

Ponte Lima – The Oldest Town in Portugal

The Minho region isn’t well known by tourists yet and the villages are relatively unspoilt. Ponte Lima is the oldest and one of the most beautiful town in northwest Portugal with a population of approximately 50,000. The town proper has about 3,000 inhabitants. It is named after the long Roman medieval bridge that passes over the Lima river that runs next to the town. Ponte de Lima is a favoured stop for pilgrims using the Caminhos do Minho on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Ponte de Lima is also the most floral town in Portugal. In the town and the surrounding area there are a series of gardens that invite long walks and relaxation. The Ponte Lima international garden festival has been running since 2004 between May to end of October. Each year, the creation of 12 temporary gardens are selected by a jury based on design and new garden trends.

One of the most traditional dishes in Ponte de Lima is the ‘Arroz de Sarrabulho’. Basically, rice mixed with a variety of meats, blood and spices with ‘Rojoes’ (chopped pork meat without bones, usually from the leg).

Tip: Free internet access at the public library on Largo da Picota, just near by the Igreja Matriz (Matriz Church).

Guimaraes – World Cultural Heritage

Guimaraes city of medieval origin, dates back to the 10th century and it’s magnificently preserved historic centre was classified as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in December of 2001. Guimaraes is located in northern Portugal, a district of Braga and part of the Minho Province. 

It has a buzzing medieval centre and a 1,000-year-old castle. There is a cable car up to the park with excellent views over the city. The Toural Square, is the most important and well known square in Guimaraes. The origins of the Sao Francisco Convent date back to the 13th century. TIP: The Guimaraes Wi-fi is a Wi-fi network of free internet access covering the main public areas of interest in Guimaraes.

Braga and Guimaraes are around an hour’s drive north of Porto. It takes 50 minutes by bus from the Braga bus terminal to Ponte de Lima and the journey from Braga to Guimaraes by train takes about 1hour 25 minutes with a change of train at Trofa. From Guimaraes bus terminal it takes 50 minutes return to Braga.