Guimarães, Portugal 🇵🇹
#1551
,
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Guimarães is a historic city in northern Portugal, known as the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ for its role in the country’s formation. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 158,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; widely accepted credit cards and debit cards |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; water quality is regulated |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include NOS, MEO, and Vodafone with good coverage |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Novo Banco, Caixa Geral de Depósitos; services for expats available |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate options |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in most establishments |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and local real estate agencies |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Concept, price from €15 per night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historic Center, close to attractions like the Palace of the Dukes and Guimarães Castle |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | City Center, providing easy access to coworking spaces and cafes |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Guimarães, featuring high-speed internet and meeting rooms |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Tascos, with a relaxed atmosphere and good wifi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by Guimarães Digital Nomads group |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat groups on Facebook and local community events |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in the area |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rentals available at local shops |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia da Apulia, approximately 30 minutes drive |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Tap Air Portugal offers flights from Porto Airport (approx. 55 km away) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Lufthansa operate from Porto Airport |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A11 and A7 highways provide easy access |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Guimarães train station connects to Porto and Braga |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly pass available for local transport at around €35 |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services to nearby cities like Porto and Braga |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira, offers comprehensive medical services |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Studio Yoga Guimarães with a variety of classes |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Hut Guimarães, offers flexible membership options |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Chave do Efeito, a local laundromat with wash and fold services |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Glovo operate in Guimarães |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Francesinha, a hearty sandwich unique to Porto and its region |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian food available at Tenda do Curto, known for its burgers |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Casa M, famous for its Pastéis de Nata |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local market Feira de Guimarães held every Saturday |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Available on local sites like Wook and global platforms like Amazon |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Pingo Doce offers an online shopping service |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rua do Consulado, home to many bars and nightclubs |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria Bolhão known for its craft beers |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Quinta da Aveleda offering wine tasting sessions |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets held on weekends at various locations |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Bistro Siete serving a mix of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisines |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Guimarães Castle, Palace of the Dukes, and the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu da Aldeia, showcasing local history and culture |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Largo da Oliveira and the 10th-century Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, located on the hilltop |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Guimarães Jazz Festival held every October |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Historic center filled with traditional architecture and museums |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Largo do Toural, hosting various performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Feira dos Frutos, local fruit and vegetable market usually on Wednesdays |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events at various venues, especially in summer |
| 🎨 Street Art | Art installations found throughout the city |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cozinha do Mundo offers Portuguese cooking experiences |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria de Arte A Igreja offers exhibitions from local artists |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The medieval structures in the oldest part of the city |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The birth of Portugal symbolized by the castle and historical sites around the city |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque da Cidade offersgreen spaces for relaxation and picnic |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Peneda-Gerês National Park, approximately 1 hour drive |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Paths throughout Parque da Cidade and surrounding areas |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Miradouro da Senhora da Oliveira gives stunning views of the city |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nature areas around Parque da Cidade |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas within parks for picnics and bonfires |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | CTT Correios offers local and international shipping services |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechnoMatic located in the city center providing phone repair services |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at Parque da Cidade |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Portuguese language classes at the local community center |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal de Guimarães for quiet study and reading |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Vila Flor hosts various events and programs |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | iGaming Lounge offers video gaming facilities |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not available, but nearby in major cities like Braga |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €168,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 28% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive personal income tax system |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 48% |
| 🧾 VAT | 23% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual tax based on property value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% for property purchases |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Non-habitual resident regime, with potential tax benefits for newcomers |