Portugal: Guimaraes

Moving further north in Portugal – Guimaraes is a historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. Guimaraes is considered to be the cradle of Portugal as the first king was born here and the city was the first Portuguese capital in the 11th century before being moved to Coimbra to the south. The old town core is compact and consists of narrow streets and open squares with a beautiful cathedral. A little away from the center is the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza – a massive 15th century palace fully decked out in medieval memorabilia in and out.