Guimaraes, located in northern Portugal, is famous as the first capital of the country after its liberation from Moorish rule, and as the birthplace of Portugal’s first king, Afonso I Founded in the ninth century on an earlier settlement, in 2012 Guemaraes will become the European Capital of Culture for that year.

Touring this fascinating and ancient region is made easy with cheap car hire in Guimares. Many sites of interest are within the town itself, including the magnificent palace of the Dukes of Braganza, dominating the skyline from its position on the hill. The town’s beautifully preserved old quarter is a World Heritage Site.

Ancient religious buildings are everywhere in Guimaraes. The Gothic Church of St Francis, the Baroque Church of Santos Passos and the Dominican Convent with its Sacred Art Museum are of interest. The ancient square of the Praca de Santiago in the old quarter is the heart of the town.

The region is famous for its linens, embroidery, wood carvings, pottery and metalwork, and the best place to find examples is the medieval old quarter street of Rua de Santa Maria. Local restaurants serve the delicious regional ‘caldo verde’ peasant cuisine, based on pork and seafood, with Vinhos Verde and Port wines.

Touring the region is straightforward with car rental in Guimares. Steeped in history, nearby towns include Caldas das Taipas with its hot springs, curative mud baths and health spa. Ancient Braga has a Visigoth temple, now a church, and monasteries, palaces and manor houses. Seeing it all with car hire in Guimares is easy.