Citania de Briteiros
Citania de Briteiros
4.5
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Restaurants
15 within 3 miles
Attractions
165 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
86
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Dermot M
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Well worth a visit if you’re into this type of thing. Bring appropriate footwear, not flip flops or sandal friendly. Would advise reading up on the ruins ahead of the visit as information there is not too detailed (and hard to follow).
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis M
Toronto, Canada26 contributions
Feb 2020
Unknown to most travellers, this piece of history is fascinating. Located in the mountains of northern Portugal, it was rediscovered by archeologists in recent years and the 2000 year old remnants of a Celtic civilization with Roman additions invites the visitor to walk the original stone lanes which connect the round structures remains. Visiting on a cool, rainy day in February, one marvels at the backbreaking work and ingenuity of the inhabitants who existed in this challenging terrain.
Not easy to reach without a car, the steep paths present a challenge to walk with their irregular and uneven worn stones. A walking pole and sturdy shoes are an asset. Well worth the trip along winding, hilly roads from Braga or Guimaraes.
Not easy to reach without a car, the steep paths present a challenge to walk with their irregular and uneven worn stones. A walking pole and sturdy shoes are an asset. Well worth the trip along winding, hilly roads from Braga or Guimaraes.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven H
Chapin, SC83 contributions
Apr 2017
Having taught at the University of Minho on many occasions, I often saw a sign that simply pointed in the direction of an "ancient city." I eventually got around to stopping at this place, and have gone back several times. As ancient Celtic hill cities (forts) go, this one is spectacular! It's about halfway between Braga and Guimaraes, on a lightly traveled two lane road. The first time that I visited, access to the site was unrestricted and there were no guards, watchmen, caretakers, or whatever. Visitors could (and I suspect did) simply pick up ancient artifacts (bowls, drinking vessels, etc.) and walk away. More recently, the Citania is much better protected and slightly more discovered. The site contains the ruins of a large Celtic community containing many round houses, streets (with drainage), animal pens, defensive walls, wells, and public buildings. Although only the foundations of these structures are still standing, visitors can get an excellent idea of the layout, lifestyles, and appearance of this ancient city. A few of the roundhouses have been restored, and now a small museum exhibits everyday belongings. It is rumored that the City held out against the Romans longer than any other site in Portugal. [It's noteworthy that nearby Braga was the center of Roman power in northern Portugal, so the City would have been a prime target.] This legend is easily believable, given the concentric circles of stone walls and the elevated location. As the site's popularity has increased, the local population holds one or more celebrations each year in which the participants dress like their ancestors and demonstrate such niceties as the food that was popular 2000 years ago, the favored alcoholic beverage of the ancients (free samples!!), and various displays of Celtic daily life. Anyone visiting Bom Jesus, Braga, or Guimaraes would be making a huge mistake to ignore this historical marvel. You can walk ancient streets at will, sit down on authentic seats in roundhouses that once held families, and otherwise be taken back in time.
Written June 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wongp27
tokyo9 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
if you're on a budget and going there by bus, you'll get dropped off at the roundabout. ask the bus driver for the direction of the road - there is only one going up so you can't miss it. there is no signage (i didn't see any), no sidewalk, but don't worry you're actually on your way. enjoy the smell of the eucalyptus trees and be careful of fast cars driving by. it should take you around 20 minutes - they say it's almost 3km up but not a steep climb. you'll see a definite signage board for citania when you're around 3 minutes walk away. when you're there it's a beautiful building upon entry then you'll find the amazingly well preserved village.
worth considering:
- they ran out of english pamphlets when i was there so worth reading up on it a little bit before you go in case.
- check the bus times for your return trip at the bus stop (opposite a bakery) as not so many buses stop by. if you're going to guimaraes, you probably have to change at taipas. i asked the nice gentleman at the town's small archeological museum down the street from the roundabout to help me confirm the time. the entry fee of 3 euros covers this museum too.
- pack some food for a nice picnic lunch on the hill!
worth considering:
- they ran out of english pamphlets when i was there so worth reading up on it a little bit before you go in case.
- check the bus times for your return trip at the bus stop (opposite a bakery) as not so many buses stop by. if you're going to guimaraes, you probably have to change at taipas. i asked the nice gentleman at the town's small archeological museum down the street from the roundabout to help me confirm the time. the entry fee of 3 euros covers this museum too.
- pack some food for a nice picnic lunch on the hill!
Written October 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
declanOttawa
Ottawa37 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Without a car the site is hard to reach since the bus leaves you at the bottom of a steep, winding 4km road. We organised a driver through Quality Tours in Guimaraes who waited while we viewed the site and then took us to the small museum about the remains in Briteirios, all at a very reasonable price.
Once at the site there is parking and you can buy the guidebook at the entrance from the very knowledgeable supervisor. The site consists of the remains of many round and square buildings from the celtic period, two of which have been rebuilt. The paths through the site follow the old pre-roman roads and are stony and rough so good shoes are adviseable. Being outdoors means you want to pick a sunny day to visit.
Overall it is of particular interest to those interested in history and archeology, since it provides a view of earlier times that even children should appreciate. It was a highlight of my trip to Guimaraes.
Once at the site there is parking and you can buy the guidebook at the entrance from the very knowledgeable supervisor. The site consists of the remains of many round and square buildings from the celtic period, two of which have been rebuilt. The paths through the site follow the old pre-roman roads and are stony and rough so good shoes are adviseable. Being outdoors means you want to pick a sunny day to visit.
Overall it is of particular interest to those interested in history and archeology, since it provides a view of earlier times that even children should appreciate. It was a highlight of my trip to Guimaraes.
Written May 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bnbass
Utrecht, The Netherlands394 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The complex is huge and build upon a hill that overlooks the valley. I love those places where you can almost feel the weight of the ages. Be sure to take the map with you because on the terrain itself there is not a lot of explanation
Written August 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
walnutridgechef
Dowagiac, MI485 contributions
Jun 2017
Located high on a mountaintop, the views enjoyed by the "upper class' rulers of this Iron Age community were splendid. There was a thriving town here more than 2,000 years ago. Again, it is to the everlasting credit of the Portuguese that they have long respected their patrimony, their history involving different cultures and their love of art and man's ingenuity. Read about this, do a bit of research prior to your visit (something you should be doing on all site visits in Portugal. This community was so well establish and so cultured that when the Romans advanced, these resident peoples found ways to communicate and cooperate, which, in turn, permitted the community to continue to thrive for several more generations. I had the additional pleasure of witnessing the cork harvest taking place during my visit, so I've included a couple of photos for those of you who will be here at different times of the year.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David P
Somerset, UK85 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
This Iron age site is well worth the effort the site is steeped in history with a well documented leaflet in English. It is not for the faint hearted as its can be quite a climb and is defiantly not suitable for anyone with a walking problem as the paths are very uneven and quite a steep climb. But that said the rewards of the views from it are worth the effort. You would be best to visit it in the dry as well. It has a good reception area which has a café with stunning panoramic views out over the country side.
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaireWilson36
Los Gatos, CA232 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Although I'm an archaeology buff, I can't see how you would want to miss this site. It is Celtic and Roman ruins, and offers great views of the surrounding area. It has a little visitors center with restrooms and a small cafe for beverages. You have to park on the main road and walk a short way up the driveway to get to the entrance. I would call the visit "light hiking". It is over a rubble-strewn trail and is hilly, but it is not bad. It was very interesting, and they give you a good map with information.
Written May 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StarrWanderer
Baltimore, MD12 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
This archeological site was on my list ever since I saw it in one of my tourist guides and it was well worth the trip up there to see it! Not only was it educational and eye opening but the site and the surrounding area was beautiful and peaceful! There were very few people the day I showed up. The little center has a small café in it and I was able to buy a book (it was very cheap, something like 2-3 euros if I remember right). Also the woman working there spoke excellent English and was very friendly!
Like many others, I traveled there by bus and walked the remaining distance up to the site (about a 40 minute walk, uphill). To get there, I stopped at the bus station in Guimaraes and took the Arriva bus 173 (Guimaraes - Taipas - St. Leocadia). The bus ride was about 45 minutes and I was dropped off in a small town. Despite not speaking any Portuguese, I made sure to mention Citania de Briteiros to the bus driver and and he made sure that I got off at the right place. (He pointed me in the right direction to walk as well. And although it was beautiful walk amongst the trees, I was extremely careful as there are no sidewalks up the winding road.) I came back to town, leaving from the same exact bus stop, and took the final bus of the day back to Guimaraes. (The last bus returns at 17:06)
This site turned out to be one of my most memorable and fun experiences in Portugal, and I would say this is definitely a place you don't want to miss if you want to see a piece of Portugal's ancient past!
Like many others, I traveled there by bus and walked the remaining distance up to the site (about a 40 minute walk, uphill). To get there, I stopped at the bus station in Guimaraes and took the Arriva bus 173 (Guimaraes - Taipas - St. Leocadia). The bus ride was about 45 minutes and I was dropped off in a small town. Despite not speaking any Portuguese, I made sure to mention Citania de Briteiros to the bus driver and and he made sure that I got off at the right place. (He pointed me in the right direction to walk as well. And although it was beautiful walk amongst the trees, I was extremely careful as there are no sidewalks up the winding road.) I came back to town, leaving from the same exact bus stop, and took the final bus of the day back to Guimaraes. (The last bus returns at 17:06)
This site turned out to be one of my most memorable and fun experiences in Portugal, and I would say this is definitely a place you don't want to miss if you want to see a piece of Portugal's ancient past!
Written April 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Como chegar até lá partindo do Porto? Há visitas guiadas?
Written August 21, 2018
Qual o preço da entrada (adulto e criança)?
Written February 6, 2018
Do the exhibits in Museu da Sociedade Martins Sarmento, Guimarães have information in English? Thank you.
Written October 29, 2017
Some exhibits do have information in English but most do not.
Written November 18, 2017
É uma atração paga? Quantos euros a visita?
Written June 4, 2017
kan je de auto dichtbij parkeren ?
Written April 29, 2016
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