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Northern Portugal
Braga District
Guimaraes
Things to Do in Guimaraes
Paço dos Duques de Bragança

Paço dos Duques de Bragança, Guimaraes: Hours, Address, Paço dos Duques de Bragança Reviews: 4.5/5

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Paço dos Duques de Bragança

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Paço dos Duques de Bragança
4.5
1,848
#8 of 85 things to do in Guimaraes
Architectural Buildings • Castles
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
280 within 3 miles
Résvés Restaurante
580
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Solar do Arco Restaurante
522
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Cantinho dos Sabores
651
0.2 mi$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
A Cozinha por Antonio Loureiro
500
0.3 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Dona Maria
270
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Grill
Casa Amarela
1,247
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Contemporary
Republica do Polvo
127
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
Restaurante Cor de Tangerina
401
144 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
HOOL Restaurante
560
0.3 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Xisko Restaurante
354
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Grill
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Attractions
73 within 3 miles
GUIMARAES
23
0 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Guimarães Castle
2,502
13 ftCastles
Lar De Santa Estefania
5
0.1 miMissions
Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo
211
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Jardins do Carmo
6
0.1 miGardens
Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church
44
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Centro Historico de Guimaraes
3,028
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Rua de Santa Maria
150
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Estatua da Condessa Mumadona Dias
3
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Largo da Oliveira
942
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Historic Walking Areas
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,848 reviews
Excellent
960
Very good
693
Average
165
Poor
18
Terrible
12
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia21,018 contributions
A palace with 36 chimneys.
Feb 2020
A distinctive feature of this palace is the high chimneys sticking out. The 36 chimneys are best seen from Guimaraes Castle. The palace was built in the XV century by Count Barcelos, the first Duke of Braganza and illegitimate son of King Joao I Afonso. The Duke traveled around Europe and built a palace for himself in the fashionable Burgundian style. The Braganza family enjoyed the beauty of the castle for a short time and in the next century moved to another place. The palace began to fall into disrepair until it attracted the Portuguese dictator Salazar. It turns out that the modest dictator was no stranger to the small joys of life... The palace was reconstructed 20 years before 1959. However, greatly changing the original, which caused criticism of scientists. Not in Salazar's time, of course. Salazar had a stroke and he was no longer up to stylizing the life of the dukes of Braganza. Now there is a good interior museum with interesting collections of Portuguese and Flamenco tapestries of the XVII-XVIII centuries, weapons of the XV-XVI centuries and antiques. The palace is worth a visit.
Written January 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mstimc
Calif.99 contributions
Fascinating History
Aug 2020
The palace is very close to the medieval castle and the two create an interesting overview of Portugal's history. The palace has many displays of furnishings, costumes, and equipment from the 15th through 10th centuries. The wall tapestries are breathtaking.

The palace could use some more explanatory signage so you know what you're looking at in the context of the country's history.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hans-jaguar
Santa Comba Dao, Portugal17,751 contributions
Visit of the city of Guimaraes.
Jul 2020
The best way to visit the “Castelo & Paço dos Duques” im Guimaraes, is to leave the caro n the free parking behind the castle.
The Paço dos Duques de Bragança has being built in the 15th century and this by D. Afonso, 1st Duke of Casa de Bragança and 8th Count of Barcelos. Essentially inhabited during the 15th century, in the following centuries, there was a progressive abandonment and a consequent ruin, motivated by political and economic factors, which worsened until the 20th century. Between 1937 and 1959, a wide and complex reconstruction intervention was carried out.
By buying your combined ticket in the “Paço dos Duques, you also may visit the castle.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Naila
Baku, Azerbaijan844 contributions
Palace of Dukes of Braganza
Sep 2019 • Friends
Must see place in Guimaraes. It will give you a glimpse to 15-16th century life of powerful Braganza Dukes. The interior perfectly shows you every aspect of the life in those times. I don't mind to live in a such house.
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John L
Grand Bend, Canada1,987 contributions
Impressive and interesting history
Mar 2020
The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza was built by the order of Afonso de Barcelos, illegitimate son of Joao I, c. 1420. Afonso became the first Duke of Braganza, and his successors remained there until the early 16th century. The palace fell into ruin from the 16-18th centuries, but reconstruction became in 1937-59. The interior includes Flemish and French tapestries, ceramics from the Portuguese East India Company, wooden furniture, and weapons and armour. The chapel is particularly striking.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laurel M
Calgary, Canada693 contributions
I quite liked it
Mar 2020 • Couples
We’ve seen many palaces and castles and I think I liked the simplicity, if you could call it that, of this place. We visited as part of a guided tour from Porto and it was interesting to hear about the renovation and reconstruction of the palace. Even though most of the tapestries and furnishings are replicas, it still shows what life was like in the Duke’s time. I especially liked the ceiling in the dining hall which is built like the hull of a Portuguese ship.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KeithC894
Interlaken, Switzerland47 contributions
Better out than in
Feb 2020
The palace is rather sparsely decorated (virtually nothing on the ground floor) but is very impressive from the outside. Perhaps some of their exhibits are on loan. We did not go to the Instruments of Torture exhibition which may have given access to more of the palace. We took the combo ticket (Castle/Palace and Museum) and you really cannot complain about the value.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland8,319 contributions
Lavish Palace
Feb 2020 • Solo
In my opinion, the building is more impressive on the outside than inside. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't discourage anyone from visiting, far from it, as the palace is very grand and the chapel inside is beautiful. There are laminated captions in each room in a variety of languages
I just felt that I didnt learn that much. If you only have to enough funds for one or the other I'd recommend going to the castle instead but if you have time then the combo ticket is great value.
I think my review is coming across a bit negative, I wish there was a 3.5 star option. I enjoyed it and even more so the grounds outside
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrew S
Letchworth, UK488 contributions
Well worth a visit
Dec 2019
On an excursion from the cruise ship Saga Sapphire we visited this impressive building and its chapel. It has many distinctive features including many tall chimneys.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DianeER
Falls Church, VA1,878 contributions
Buy a combo ticket
Oct 2019
Buy a combo ticket to see this & the castle only- skip the additional museum cost.

There were laminated cards describing the rooms & we really enjoyed that. We did not have a guide but just read the explanations from our Rick Steves tour guide & that really helped.

This & the castle had wonderful lights on at night & we loved seeing it all lit up at night- another reason to stay overnight in this town. It was spooky but neat & no other tourists.

Worth a visit but don’t expect much. For the price it was worth it though.

If you like my review, I hope you'll click the 'helpful' button; those of us who write reviews live for those and it motivates us to do more.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Paço dos Duques de Bragança
Paço dos Duques de Bragança is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Paço dos Duques de Bragança tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 Paço dos Duques de Bragança tours on Tripadvisor