Budget Small Group, Lunch & Tickets

Budget Small Group, Lunch & Tickets, 8 hours, rated 4.8 across 467 traveller reviews.

Overview

This full-day outing from Porto packs two of northern Portugal's historic cities into eight hours, with a traditional lunch and two entry fees already paid. Cooltour Oporto runs it with a professional guide and a modern minivan, collecting guests from most centrally located Porto hotels and dropping them at Trindade Station or the Bolsa Palace at the end. The group is capped at eight travellers.

The Braga side comes first: an hour at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, an hour inside the Sé de Braga with entry included, and further free time in the city. After lunch, which the listing describes as traditional with Vinho Verde wine and drinks included, the tour moves on to Guimarães for the Guimarães Castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, the Largo da Oliveira and the Rua de Santa Maria, with free time in the town itself.

It suits travellers based in Porto who want two historic cities covered in a single organised day. Reviewers who took it describe knowledgeable guides, a lunch that repeatedly earns praise, and a pace that leaves enough room at each stop. Note that the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança is a short photo stop and its admission is not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Porto pickupThe tour begins with pickup from most centrally located Porto hotels, travelling onward by minivan.
2. Bom Jesus do MonteOne hour at the sanctuary, with free admission.
3. Sé de BragaOne hour inside the cathedral, with entry included.
4. Braga1 hour 15 minutes in Braga itself, with no entry fees.
5. LunchA traditional lunch with Vinho Verde wine and drinks included.
6. Guimarães CastleOne hour at the castle, with the entrance fee included in the tour price.
7. Palace of the DukesA 15-minute stop at the Paço dos Duques de Bragança. Admission is not included, so this is a viewing stop unless you pay separately.
8. Largo da Oliveira and old town45 minutes at the Largo da Oliveira, then 15 minutes walking the Rua de Santa Maria, followed by 30 minutes of free time in Guimarães. All free to enter.
9. Return to PortoThe minivan returns to Porto in 15 minutes, dropping off at Trindade Station or the Bolsa Palace.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from what travellers report will help you prepare for this day.

• Walking and stairs. Reaching the top at Bom Jesus do Monte involves a long flight of stairs, and one reviewer mentions steep surfaces elsewhere on the route. The listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible, so anyone with limited mobility should consider that before booking.
• Group feel. The maximum is eight travellers. Guides may work in more than one language.
• Lunch. Lunch is included, with Vinho Verde wine and drinks, and reviewers often call it excellent, with several praising the restaurant as authentic and local.
• Weather. The experience requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation brings an offer of a different date or a full refund. One reviewer took the tour on a rainy day and still found the visits really interesting.
• Photos. One reviewer advises a strong phone battery because photo opportunities are endless.
• Children. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infant seats are available. The listing says most travellers can participate.

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers to run; if that minimum is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança stop does not include admission, and gratuities plus any food and drinks beyond what is specified are extra. One reviewer found the lunch beef tough, though others at the same meal said the fish was tasty. A further reviewer noted the tour ran over its scheduled time, though they felt the time at each stop was sufficient.

Common Questions