Large-Group Minibus, Budget Fare

Large-Group Minibus, Budget Fare, rated 4.7 across 3,322 traveller reviews.

Overview

The Bom Jesus funicular has been out of service since 26 September 2026, with no return date announced.

This Living Tours day trip leaves Porto at 07:50 from Calçada da Vandoma, beside the Sé do Porto, and spends roughly nine hours on the two headline cities of the Minho region: Braga and Guimarães. The coach is air-conditioned, a guide specialised in the destination rides along, and the group is capped at 27 travellers. The running order is straightforward: Bom Jesus Sanctuary first, then the Sé de Braga, then free time in Braga itself, and finally the Guimarães cluster of castle, Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo and the historic centre.

Entry works like this. Bom Jesus and the Guimarães historic centre cost nothing to wander. The cathedral and Guimarães Castle come as admission tickets only if that option is selected at booking, so check the ticket type before paying. Lunch is not included, and neither are hotel pickup and drop-off, gratuities or personal spending.

Who it suits: anyone based in Porto who wants the two cities in one organised day without a rental car. Reviewers again and again describe it as well run, comfortable and informative.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet In PortoCheck in from 07:50 at Calçada da Vandoma, next to the Sé do Porto, where staff in red Living Tours clothing greet the group.
2. Bom Jesus SanctuaryA 30-minute stop at the sanctuary, with entrance free. The listing names the funicular at this stop.
3. Sé De BragaA 30-minute guided visit to the cathedral. Admission is included, but only with the ticket option that carries entry fees.
4. Free Time In BragaOne hour on your own in the city, with no entry fees. Several reviewers used this window for lunch or brunch.
5. Guimarães CastleA 30-minute stop at the castle, admission included with the relevant ticket option. Access is limited and the walls are closed to visitors.
6. Igreja De São MiguelTen minutes at the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, free to enter.
7. Guimarães Historic CentreThirty minutes in the UNESCO-listed centre, free to explore, wrapping up the two-hour Guimarães portion of the day.
8. Return To PortoThe coach drops the group at Rua de Alexandre Herculano, next to Praça da Batalha. Total duration is about 9 hours, subject to traffic and visit schedules.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from the terrain at Bom Jesus to how the multilingual guiding works.

• Footwear And Stairs. Sturdy shoes make the day easier. Visit the meeting spot in advance if arriving on foot.
• Short Stops. Treat this as a sampler of both cities rather than a deep visit to any single site.
• Languages. If a single language matters to you, check the option before booking.
• Lunch. Lunch is not included. Reviewers mention ample time for lunch in Braga, so budget for a meal in the free hour.
• Ticket Options. The listing sells this activity with different ticket options, with or without entrance fees for Guimarães Castle and Braga Cathedral. Confirm which one you selected so you know what is covered on the day.
• Porto Perk. Every booking includes a free Porto city walking tour, available from the day after the trip, departing twice daily in English and Spanish from the Living Tours agency on Rua Mouzinho da Silveira.

Common issues. The honest downsides are pace and language. Lunch, hotel transfers and gratuities are not included, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, the castle walls are off limits, and the operator requires a minimum number of travellers, otherwise offering a different date or a full refund.

Common Questions