Europe
Portugal
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
1,877
#10 of 87 things to do in Guimaraes
Architectural Buildings • Castles
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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
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
294 within 3 miles
Solar do Arco Restaurante
587
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Résvés Restaurante
662
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
A Cozinha por Antonio Loureiro
548
0.3 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Cantinho dos Sabores
667
0.2 mi$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Dona Maria
284
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Grill
Restaurante Virtudes
72
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
Casa Amarela
1,356
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Contemporary
Republica do Polvo
194
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
Restaurante Cor de Tangerina
414
144 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
HOOL Restaurante
605
0.3 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
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Attractions
90 within 6 miles
GUIMARAES
25
0 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Guimarães Castle
2,540
13 ftCastles
Lar De Santa Estefania
6
0.1 miMissions
Jardins do Carmo
6
0.1 miGardens
Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo
217
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church
47
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals
Centro Historico de Guimaraes
3,061
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Rua de Santa Maria
155
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Estatua da Condessa Mumadona Dias
3
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Largo da Oliveira
959
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Historic Walking Areas
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,878 reviews
Excellent
970
Very good
708
Average
169
Poor
18
Terrible
13
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK4,968 contributions
A reconstructed palace
Apr 2022
Near to the castle this has been considerably restored without detailed plans of how it used to be. It has furniture, etc representing the period of its use. Someone has decided it should have many chimneys for effect as there are clearly more chimneys than fire places.

Taken with a pinch of salt it is still worth a visit to get an insight into the period when it was in use.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,194 contributions
Restored Palace of the Dukes
Sep 2021
The palace is a short walk from the castle, and together, the two provide an interesting view into Portugal history. Dom Afonso, first Duke of Braganca, began construction of the estate around 1420. Eventually the family changed residences, and the palace fell into ruins by the mid-17th century. In 1910, the palace was named a National Monument; extensive restoration began using other medieval palaces of the period as a model. Today, one of the palace wings even serves as an official residence for the Presidency. I especially enjoyed the private chapel, and the banquet hall with chestnut ceiling imitating the upturned hull of a Portuguese caravel. The palace also boasts a beautiful collection of tapestries, rugs, paintings, furniture, ceramics and even weapons (collection details are provided on the palace’s official website). I visited as part of a guided tour, but it could be easily done on your own; allow a good hour. Buy a joint ticket that includes both the castle and the palace.
Written January 23, 2022
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.
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, Ireland8,423 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,728 contributions
Lots of Rooms, Lots of Antiques
May 2022
This is probably the big attraction in town and it will take an hour to go through all of the rooms in this big palace. Full of antiques, very grand with a gorgeous courtyard and a pretty chapel. People lived here not too long ago.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Laurel M
Calgary, Canada737 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.
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.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia38,950 contributions
A great monument
Oct 2018 • Couples
Paco dos Duques de Braganca is a great monument to Portuguese history. The palace is fantastic. We visited on a perfect day. The entry fee was very small, around 3 euros, (my memory fails me...) and the value was many times that. This is a 15th century construction. It was the residence of the dukes of Braganca, a wealthy and powerful family. The outside is not terrific, but the interior is absolutely wonderful and takes the visitor back to some of Portugal's glory days. The architecture is lovely and the objects on display are amazing. The ceilings are breathtaking, especially those exposed beams, and the numerous artifacts are mindbongling. They are a delight to see. There is plenty of information and it's all set out very neatly and clearly. You will need at least an hour to go through the palace and you probably will want more, because it's so lovely. We had a great time visiting. The area around the palace is also surrounded by nice gardens. Highly recommended.
Written April 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
h_mor
Coimbra, Portugal86 contributions
worth a visit
Aug 2012 • Friends
It is an building rich in history that is well maintained. The similarity of other "Paços" in Portugal. It has three floors, the 3th being reserved as the official residence of the President of the Republic, but not be visited.
They permit take no flash photos inside.
Written August 10, 2012
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 27 Paço dos Duques de Bragança tours on Tripadvisor