Free Tour, Green Umbrella Guide

Free Tour, Green Umbrella Guide, 2 hours, rated 4.75 across 446 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a pay what you want walking tour of Braga's historic centre, run in Spanish and lasting 2 hours. Booking costs nothing up front; at the end, each guest pays the guide whatever they feel the walk was worth. The route has 11 stops in total, though the listing only names the first three.

The walk starts at the Arco da Porta Nova, the gateway the listing calls the entrance to the city, where the guide waits with a green umbrella carrying the operator's logo and a Spanish flag. From there the group moves through the historic streets, past the Sé de Braga, the University of Minho, the Largo de Santa Cruz and the Garden of Santa Bárbara. Along the way the guide covers Braga's Roman past and its standing as a capital of the Baroque and the Portuguese Church, plus stories the listing teases, such as Braga's role as the capital of a medieval kingdom and the castle tucked away in the city.

It suits Spanish speaking visitors who want a first orientation of the centre on foot with a local guide, and who like the idea of deciding the price afterwards. Travellers who prefer a fixed price or an English language walk should look at other options. One reviewer described the guide as friendly and funny, and another said the stories behind the sites made the buildings more interesting than sightseeing alone.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Arco da Porta NovaFind the guide on R. Andrade Corvo 6, in front of the Arco da Porta Nova, holding a green umbrella with the 12Tours logo and the Spanish flag. No pickup or transfer is included; travellers make their own way there.
2. Arco da Porta NovaThe walk begins at this gateway at the entrance to the city, the first of the stops shown in the listing.
3. Largo Paulo OrósioThe route continues into the historic centre, with the guide covering the city's history, culture, art and traditions along the way.
4. Largo de São PauloThe third of the stops named in the listing. The full route has 11 stops in total and also takes in the Sé de Braga, the University of Minho, the Largo de Santa Cruz and the Garden of Santa Bárbara.
5. Tour endsAfter 2 hours the walk comes to an end and guests pay the guide what they think the tour was worth. The listing does not name the end point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points to know before booking this walk.

• Language and pace. The tour runs in Spanish only, so a reasonable level of spoken Spanish helps. The walk covers the historic centre on foot for 2 hours, so comfortable shoes matter. The pace is a walking tour pace, with 11 stops for stories along the route.
• How payment works. Booking is free and nothing is charged in advance. At the end of the walk each guest pays the guide what they think the tour was worth. The listing does not state how payment is taken, so it is worth being prepared.
• Finding the guide. The meeting point is in front of the Arco da Porta Nova, on R. Andrade Corvo 6. Look for a green umbrella with the 12Tours logo and a Spanish flag. That is the identifier the listing gives for spotting the guide.
• What you see. The route takes in the Sé de Braga, the University of Minho, the Largo de Santa Cruz and the Garden of Santa Bárbara, among other stops. One reviewer said the stories behind the sites made the walk more interesting than seeing the buildings alone. The listing describes a walk through the historic centre rather than detailing any entries inside monuments.
• Asking questions. One reviewer described the guide as professional and said they could ask plenty of questions, all answered well. That reviewer also mentioned the guide took photos for them during the walk. Bring a camera or phone, since the route passes some of the city's main sights.
• Getting there. No pickup is included, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point. The Arco da Porta Nova is described in the listing as the entrance to the city, and the meeting spot is in front of it on R. Andrade Corvo 6.

Common issues. The tour runs in Spanish only, which excludes travellers who do not speak it. The listing names just the first 3 of the 11 stops, so the full route is only partly visible before booking. The walk is outdoors and covers ground on foot, so bad weather or limited mobility could affect the experience. Payment at the end means the final cost depends on what each guest decides to give.

Common Questions