I found this city full of charm in north of Portugal, Minho region. Proudly claims the role of first capital of the country, because it was here that the first king proclaimed himself as such, affirming the Portuguese identity as "other" than the neighboring Spain. It was the XNUMXth century.
The city has a medieval heart protected by UNESCO as a patrimony of humanity, partly enclosed by an imposing enclosure of walls; here the baroque so characteristic for the Portugal, you will find an older style, beautiful squares like PraƧa do S. Tiago, very lively and full of tables of the crowded locals. The ancient buildings are well preserved: the PaƧo dos Duques de BraganƧa, the church of Nossa S.ra da Oliveira or the great Convento de Santa Clara, once the most powerful in the city, today the seat of the municipality.
However if you go there by this year 2012, you will savor one GuimarÄes artistically lively, as European Capital of Culture. The symbol is a big heart, which appears where there are exhibitions and installations, really numerous and widespread throughout the city, interesting to discover. Walking far and wide (it doesn't take much, it's not big) you will probably arrive at Largo do Laranjais: a quiet little square bordered by a curtain of orange trees. Well, stop at number 85, restaurant Pimenta moscada. The octopus asado that is grilled, the best of my life I have eaten here: it melts in your mouth, a poem. With side dish and the inevitable vinho verde do not spend more than 15 ā¬.
