Guimarães, Portugal 🇵🇹
#1551
41.441767, -8.295571
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Guimarães is a historic city in northern Portugal known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 158,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | An average of 70 Mbps download speed. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.05 USD. Most banks accept debit and credit cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from providers such as MEO, NOS, and Vodafone with 4G coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Millennium BCP and Banco Santander Totta. Services like Revolut are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include local guesthouses, serviced apartments, and holiday rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel 92 and Casa do Canto are economically friendly options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CoWork Guimarães, a collaborative workspace with high-speed internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café d'Art, offering a relaxed atmosphere and good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by Guimarães Business Hub. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Regular gatherings in local expat groups, promoted on Facebook. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt offers affordable ride-hailing options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Guimarães offers bike rental through the local service called Guibike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia da Apúlia, approximately 40 minutes by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | TAP Air Portugal operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ryanair and EasyJet offer flights from Porto. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A11 and A7 highways provide access to major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Guimarães Train Station connects to Porto and Braga. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Single and monthly passes are available for local buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regular bus services connect Guimarães to nearby towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira provides extensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Madeira offers various classes for different levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Hut and Solinca are good options for fitness enthusiasts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava a Seco offers affordable laundry and dry cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Glovo for convenient food deliveries. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Don’t miss the ‘Sarrabulho’ and ‘Pudim Abade de Priscos’. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Green Bamboo offers a variety of vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pastelaria Camilo for traditional Portuguese pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Mercado Municipal offer fresh produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local options like Continente also provide online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Continente and Auchan offer delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rua de Santa Maria has a vibrant nightlife scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria da Praça offers craft beer and brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Enoteca de Guimarães for a curated selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various stalls at local markets offer traditional street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurante A Parte offers a mix of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and Guimarães Castle are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu de Alberto Sampaio features local history and art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The historic center of Guimarães is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Church of São Miguel do Castelo is an important historical church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The International Street Arts Festival takes place every June. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The medieval quarter is rich with narrow streets and historical buildings. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro José de Azevedo is a prominent cultural venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Municipal is an essential spot for local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues host live music regularly, including places like Café d'Art. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art is available in the urban sections around the main squares. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine are offered at several venues. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria Lethes showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Convent of Santa Clara is a beautiful example of local architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Guimarães is known as the birthplace of Portugal. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque da Cidade offers beautiful walking and relaxing areas. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Peneda-Gerês National Park is about an hour’s drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The paths along the valley provide stunning views for walkers and cyclists alike. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Miradouro do Monte Calvario offers breathtaking views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The nearby Alvão Natural Park is a great site for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in the countryside are suitable for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | CTT and DHL have delivery services available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repairo.pt offers various electronic device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers and some parks have table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The language school in town offers courses in Portuguese for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | A local library system with multiple locations provides quiet places for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Vila Flor offers cultural events and community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | LAN Gamers offers a place for video gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Guimarães, with the nearest located in Braga. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €80,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 28%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive income tax rates up to 48% for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 48%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 23%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Portugal has a CFC regime for tax purposes. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property taxes are calculated based on the property's tax assessment value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 6% for property purchases. |