Cheap Car Rental Guimaraes

Guimaraes, just a few miles north-east of Porto, is one of the oldest homes of the Portuguese nation. Henrique, born in Guimaraes, declared himself king of Portugal here in 1128, and in Sao Mamede, just around the corner, he had to ward off his mother’s troops. He proceeded to make his birthplace the capital of Portugal and decorating the national flag with a picture of his castle, which is still the dominating feature of Guimaraes’ medieval townscape.
The town center around the main square (Largo de Oliveira) is as picturesque as one might expect from a town this old. Narrow, winding alleyways wait to be explored, and in August, during the town festival, they are abuzz with medieval knights and maidens who provide extra entertainment and serve local delicacies.
As far as sights go the most important ones are the gothic Nosse Senhora de Oliveira church which features a miraculous olive tree, as well as Igreja Sao Francisco church which combines baroque and gothic architecture styles. Both churches also find mention in the Museu Martin Saramento in the old Dominican monastery. The museum also tells the story of Guimaraes and the region, reaching as far back as prehistoric times and putting extra stress on the Celtic times.
The entire Minho province around Guimaraes is extremely scenic and just perfect for a trip into the country. A rental car will provide you with the mobility needed to explore the green coastal strip of Costa Verde as well as the fertile hills inland. This has been a wine-growing region for as long as people have settled here, and between September and November the new crop is celebrated all over the area. Visiting a winery is generally a great way of learning more about the local traditions, though keep in mind there is a limit as to how much blood alcohol you are allowed to have when driving.
Going north you don’t have to drive far to get to the first historic highlight. Just outside Guimaraes archeologists have excavated a Celtic settlement dating as far back as 400 B.C. in Citania de Briteiros, now open for visitors. Hundreds of stone huts and ancient defense walls bear witness of a great civilization that was driven out of this area by the Romans during the first century.
A bit further north the catholic pilgrimage church of Bom Jesus de Monte is a popular attraction not just for pilgrims. Hundreds of yards of stairs lead up to the church, and the hiker will be rewarded with a fantastic view over the countryside. If this seems too challenging, a cable car will take you up the hill.
Continuing further north you will soon come to Braga, or Bracara Augusta, as the Romans called it. Braga has always been a major spiritual center and a number of old churches pay tribute to the important role it plays for Portuguese Catholicism. The Holy Week around Good Friday is a particularly interesting time to visit Braga.
Enlightened by so much spirituality you might want to turn to the lighter side of life and simply relax on the beach or indulge in regional cuisine. In coastal towns like Vila do Conde you can conveniently combine the two.