Hi! My hubby and I are planning a driving itinerary for next month (July) between Madrid and Santiago de Compostela by way of Portugal, using exclusively Paradores and Pousadas. I have booked a night at the Pousada Viseu, and am pondering spending another night at Guimaraes, which is less than 200 miles North of Viseu on the route to Santiago. I am told Guimaraes is a gorgeous town, but is it worth spending the night or is it small enough to tour main points of interest by foot in a 4 to 5 hour stop? And has anyone been to Viseu? How would you rate it in comparison to Guimaraes? Did I make a mistake by choosing Viseu as the overnight spot?

I know, I know. so many questions. Any feedback/info on either of these towns will be much appreciated!

Hi, Sandra,

Here are a couple of thoughts. The pousada in Viseu is recently opened, its furnishings are modern/minimalist and it is one of several recently opened "spa" pousadas. I didn't think it was a spectacular building, but it's nice. The town of Viseu has one important museum with paintings by Grao Vasco, a 16th century Portuguese painter. There isn't much else in the way of sights, but it's a pleasant town.

Guimaraes, in my opinion, is much more interesting and fun to visit. It has a castle, a palace, a nice museum, old walls, several churches, and a really pretty old core. There are two pousadas in Guimaraes, one in town which is kind of rustic but comfortable, and one a few km out in an old convent. That's one of my favorite pousadas in Portugal, beautiful commons rooms, lovely surroundings.

Hope this helps a bit, LR

I did like Guimaraes too but I have a better option. The Pousada on the hill overlooking Viana do Castelo would be my choice. The town is very interesting as well. I also would try to stop in Salamanca if time permits.

Ireynold1 and Bob--thanks so much for your replies, I had not checked the forum in a while because I hadn't received any responses for a couple days and almost gave up but how pleasant to log in today and see your feedback. Thanks for taking the time.

Ireynold1: Funny you mention the pousada, as I booked a room there before I read this post, seemed like a great place to stay. We ended up deciding to spend an extra day in Portugal by stopping at Guimaraes overnight...we'll also be staying at one of the Pousadas there, the convent on the hill overlooking the town. So glad to read the excellent review of that pousada on your post. Now I simply can't wait!

Bob--Thank you so much as well...and guess what, we have brief stops planned in Avila and Salamanca on the way to Viseu. Based on LR's comments above about Viseu, it's looking like it may be worth spening a little extra time in Avila and Salamanca on our way to Viseu (sounds like there may be less to see there than in Salamanca/Avila).

Hi, Sandra,

If you have the time, and like old ruins, I'd highly recommend the Citania de Briteiros, about 20 km from Guimaraes. It's a large Celtic settlement, dating from a century or two BC. The excavations have uncovered numerous circular huts, streets, cisterns and fountain. Some of the huts have been rebuilt and it really helps you visualize what the place might have looked like. There are also some really interesting carvings down the bottom of the hill on what I think was a bath.

I think you're right that Viseu doesn't have much in comparison with Avila and Salamanca. Actually, much as I like Viseu, I would probably scratch it entirely and focus on Avila and Salamanca and then drive straight to Guimaraes. Or, if you want to keep that extra day, I think a day in the Douro Valley on the way to Guimaraes might be more enjoyable. I just stayed at the Casa de Canilhas in Mesao Frio and it is just beautiful, with a great view over the Douro. We had our own private terrace, there's a pool (it was HOT), and the rooms are very comfortable for a reasonable 80E. I have some pictures if you're interested. Just a few things to think about, happy planning, Laurie

Here's a second vote for Citania de Briteiros. My absolute biggest disappointment in Portugal was that we visited on a day when it was just too wet to take the camera out. The place is really interesting - wear sturdy walking shoes!

You will like the convent pousada up on the hill in Guimaraes! We have stayed in both pousadas in that town, and the one IN town is very pleasant, (or it was 20 years ago) but I DO remember the church bells ringing very early in the morning, right next to our room!

Then on another trip we spent a night there, at the pousada in town, on our way to the Paco de Calheiros for Christmas. It was cold and rainy in Northern Portugal that season, so on the way back to Lisbon, I had discovered the "new" convent pousada up on the hill: Santa Marinha in Guimaraes.

I will always remember arriving there, seeing the beautiful contemporary restoration of the convent, and best of all, after a few rainy cold days, that the heat in our very very pleasant room was in the floor! I lay down on the bath rug, ON THE FLOOR for about a half hour, luxuriating in the warmth.

The martinis there were also VERY good. (that was in the days when we drank martinis!) and the dinner was delicious.

The town is most interesting. our memories of Portugal are all marvelous. I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we have.