I will be traveling with my 20 year old daughter in Mid-May. we are both active. We will not have a rental car. We have time for a good day trip from Porto and wonder which is a better option, Guimaraes or Coimbra? we enjoy history, art, food....walking/hills is no problem. or is it better to stay overnight and reduce our three night stay in Porto to two? Grateful for any advice.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1824 posts
I would day trip simply because the fewer times I change hotels the better.
Both towns are quite nice and worth your time. Since your daughter is college age, I might give a slight edge to Coimbra because of the university. The library there is jaw dropping! They have an interesting, all male fado and the food in Coimbra is really good!
However, Guimarães is touted as the birth place of Portugal since the first king was born there. It has a lovely old town and a castle (which I didn’t see and heard is closed for repairs).
I would suggest you read a few articles (check on the castle in Guimarães), and look at some pictures online, then choose whichever most appeals to you.
You will enjoy either city.
Posted by
USA
137 posts
+1 for Coimbra
Actually worth a night stay
(Can be done without car - on way to Porto from Lisbon or vice versa)
University has nice views, impressive library, good vibes
Walk down from University to river is pretty.
Fado here is bit different (compared to Lisbon)
Train station is very close to recommended hotels (Oslo, Mondego, Victoria)
Posted by
OP
US
10 posts
Big thanks to you both. decided to stay in Coimbra on our way south from Porto. we'll try for a day trip to Guimaraes from Porto. Thanks again, very helpful!
Posted by
1 posts
My family did both Guimarães and Coimbra day trips from Porto a few weeks ago. I wrote about it here: https://gmanctbikeblog.wordpress.com/dennis-travel-blog/
If I had to choose one, based on your interests, I’d pick Guimaraes. Otherwise I’d do both.