European Green Capital 2026 – Learning with Nature
Located 55 km from Porto and just 40 minutes from Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport, Guimarães is one of Portugal’s most enchanting and historically rich cities — often called “the birthplace of the nation”.
Surrounded by green hills and medieval architecture, Guimarães combines heritage with a bold commitment to the future. As the European Green Capital 2026, the city embraces design, innovation, and sustainability as forces for social and ecological transformation.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its historic core unfolds into a creative ecosystem of universities, museums, ateliers, and design labs.
Within this living landscape, the Design Commit 2026 will invite participants to learn with nature, to observe, regenerate, and design with the intelligence of life itself.
All venues are located in the Zona de Couros, the city’s creative district, where the sound of flowing water once animated the leather tanneries that gave Guimarães its identity. Today, these spaces unite memory and innovation — a perfect stage for a design conference that celebrates the dialogue between past and future.
Video courtesy of Guimarães City Council.
Travel guide for national and international participants of Design Commit 2026:
Guimarães is a well-connected and compact city, which makes it easy to walk between the different event venues. Most of the conference venues are within walking distance of each other and the historic centre — all less than a 25-minute walk away.
Guimarães is served by three motorways, the A3, A7 and A11, with connections to Porto Airport, located about 65 km from the historic centre.
Access to Guimarães is also easy by train and bus.
For reference, the city of Porto is about 50 km away, and the city of Braga is about 25 km away.
Note:
All venues are located within the urban core of Guimarães, except the Pousada, which sits on the slopes of Monte da Penha and can be reached by shuttle or taxi (about 10 minutes).
Quick Tips
– Guimarães is a walkable and safe city — comfortable shoes are the best transport.
– Check TUG – Transportes Urbanos de Guimarães for real-time routes and schedules.
– Taxis and ride-share services (e.g., Bolt) are widely available and inexpensive.
– Shuttle service to the Pousada may be organised by the conference for the Gala
– The GetBus shuttle runs directly from Porto Airport to Guimarães city centre every hour. Tickets available online or at the airport arrivals area.
Main Venue – Opening Sessions, Keynotes, Coffee Breaks, Lunches, Welcome Cocktail & Parallel Sessions.
The Centro Cultural Vila Flor, inaugurated in 2005, rises from the elegant gardens and the 18th-century palace that once hosted Guimarães’s nobility.
Restored and expanded into a state-of-the-art cultural complex, it now stands as a symbol of the city’s creative energy and civic pride.
Here, Design Commit 2026 will open its doors: the main sessions, keynotes, and parallel discussions will unfold in its luminous halls, alongside coffee breaks, lunches, and the welcome cocktail. The CCVF embodies the conference’s spirit — a meeting place where heritage and contemporary design coexist in harmony.
How to get there?
ON FOOT
Main entrance:
Av. Dom Afonso Henriques 701, 4810-431 Guimarães
5-minute walk from the city centre and most hotels.
BY CAR
Av. Dom Afonso Henriques 701, 4810-431 Guimarães
located near the main city avenues, with direct access from the A11 and A7 motorways.
Parking:
large underground car park (public, paid), with direct internal access to the venue; additional street parking available in the surrounding area.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
10-minute walk from Guimarães Train Station (connected to Porto).
Regular urban bus lines serve the venue area.
Taxi and ride-sharing drop-off zone at the main entrance.
Creative Encounters & Closing Sessions
The Teatro Jordão, built in the 1930s and reborn in 2022 after decades of silence, represents the revival of Guimarães’s cultural heart. This iconic theatre — originally conceived as a cinema-theatre — now emerges as an educational and creative hub: its Art Deco soul and its historic architecture have been sensitively combined with contemporary interventions.
It will host the Creative Encounters and Closing Sessions, moments where performance, reflection, and collaboration come together to celebrate design as a collective act of imagination.
How to get there?
ON FOOT
Approximately 5 minutes from CCVF and the city centre;
BY CAR
Direct access via Avenida Conde Margaride, near several public car parks;
Parking options:
– Paid on-street parking near the venue;
– Parque de Estacionamento da Mumadona (covered, 5 minutes’ walk);
– Parque do Mercado Municipal, nearby.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Frequent urban buses and taxi stops directly in front of the theatre.
Instituto do Design & Zona de Couros
IDEGUI – Instituto de Design de Guimarães
Rua da Ramada, 52
4810-445 Guimarães
Exhibitions, Workshops & Urban Installations
The Instituto do Design de Guimarães is located in the restored former tanneries of the Zona de Couros, an area deeply intertwined with the city’s industrial and cultural memory. Once a centre of craftsmanship and trade, Couros is now a creative district where designers, students, and entrepreneurs transform tradition into innovation.
During the conference, this space will become a living laboratory , hosting exhibitions, workshops, and urban installations that connect participants with the local community and landscape. The atmosphere of Couros — its textures, materials, and historic water channels — will serve as inspiration for dialogue and experimentation.
How to get there?
ON FOOT
5–10 minutes from city hotels and main venues.
BY CAR
Access via Avenida Conde Margaride or Rua da Caldeiroa.
Parking:
Public parking available near Largo do Tanoeiro and Rua da Ramada.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Nearby bus stops and easy pedestrian connection to all central locations.
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães
Largo Domingos Leite de Castro,
Lugar da Costa,
4810-011 Guimarães
(+351) 253 511 249
recepcao.stamarinha@pestana.com
Gala Dinner
Overlooking the city of Guimarães from the green slopes of Monte da Penha, the Pousada Mosteiro de Santa Marinha da Costa is one of Portugal’s most remarkable historic monuments — a place where time, architecture, and nature coexist in perfect harmony.
Founded in the 12th century as an Augustinian monastery, the complex was expanded significantly in the 16th and 17th centuries, becoming a masterpiece of Portuguese monastic architecture. In the 20th century, it underwent a meticulous restoration led by architect Fernando Távora — a central figure of the Porto School — which transformed it into a Pousada, seamlessly combining heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality.
Today, the Pousada is both a National Monument and a symbol of timeless elegance , renowned for its stone cloisters, vaulted halls, carved wooden ceilings, and magnificent azulejo panels. Its surrounding gardens and terraces open onto panoramic views of the city and the valley, offering a setting of tranquillity and grandeur.
How to get there?
ON FOOT
30 minute walk from the city centre and most hotels.
BY CAR
Approximately 5 minutes by car from the city centre and 10 minutes from the CCVF.
Parking:
Ample private parking on-site for cars and buses.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Shuttle service may be arranged from central venues (CCVF and hotels).
Hotels |
Reservation code |
Discount |
| Pousada Mosteiro | Make a reservation to the email antonio.freitas@pestana.com and provide the name of the conference | 110€ per night |
| Hotel Guimarães | DESIGNCOMMIT2026 | 5% |
| Hotel Fundador | DESIGNCOMMIT2026 | 5% |
| Stay Hotel | DESIGN | 20% |
| Hotel Toural | DC2026 | 10% (double room)21% (single room) |
| Hotel Torel Royal Court | Send an email to reservas@torelroyalcourt.com with the promotional code: DC2026 | 10% |
| Hotel Eurostars Santa Luzia | Send an email to reservas@torelroyalcourt.com with the promotional code: DesignCommit2026 | 15% |
| Hotel O Laranjal | Make a reservation to the email reservasolaranjal@guisal.pt and provide the name of the conference | 10% |
| Hotel Mestre de Aviz | send an email to reservas@torelroyalcourt.com with the promotional code: DesignCommit2026 | 5% |
Design Commit Dinner
Tales from the Field: A Toast to Design
We are delighted to extend an invitation to all conference participants to join us for the Design Commit Dinner on May 21, 2024. This special event, themed ‘Tales from the Field: A Toast to Design’, promises an evening of relaxation and camaraderie after a day of engaging discussions and knowledge sharing.
To ensure a seamless experience, we kindly ask that you register for the dinner by May 10, 2024. Please click the link below to secure your spot:
https://sgiconf.beformal.pt/designCommit2024-dinner/
We look forward to sharing this memorable evening with you!
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares
Located in a unique and memorable setting, Pousada Mosteiro de Amares combines the grandeur of centuries of history with contemporary comfort. This luxurious hotel is situated in a former Cistercian monastery from the 12th century, offering a unique lodging experience nestled between the historic city of Braga and the majestic Serra do Gerês.
The monastery’s magnificent cloister and the serene atmosphere of its surroundings make this hotel the perfect place to relax and soak up the culture and history of the region. Situated just 18 km from the center of Braga, Pousada Mosteiro de Amares is an ideal choice for those wishing to explore the north of Portugal and enjoy an unforgettable stay in an environment filled with history.
Address:
Largo do Terreiro – Santa Maria do Bouro, 4720-633, Amares, Portugal
Phone number:
(+351) 253 371 970
Transportation:
For registered participants, we will provide transportation from the Forum to the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares at 18h:30 and return to the Forum at 22h:30.
Location
Foyer, Floor 0, Altice Forum
20 May from 18:00 to 19:30
Overview
The Design Commit welcome cocktail is the first meeting point for conference attendees, offering a perfect opportunity for thought leaders, innovators, and design professionals to connect in an informal setting. Located in the spacious and modern ground floor foyer of the Altice Forum, this event provides an ideal atmosphere for exchanging ideas, strengthening professional relationships, and gearing up for the intense days of the conference ahead.
Drinks and Appetizers
A selection of beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, will be served alongside a variety of light appetizers and canapés. Choices will be carefully curated to cater to a range of dietary preferences, ensuring there are options for everyone.
Networking Opportunities
This moment is specially designed to foster networking among participants. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to make new contacts, discuss potential collaborations, and share insights on the latest trends and challenges in the field of design.
Starting Off on the Right Foot
The welcome cocktail not only serves as a warm introduction to the conference but also sets the tone for what will be an enriching and stimulating event. It is the perfect way to relax, recharge, and get inspired before the intensive learning and discussion sessions that will follow in the coming days.
We hope all participants enjoy this time to get acquainted and connect, laying the groundwork for a productive and memorable conference experience.
Join us for two special musical moments at the Design Commit conference, presented by the talented students from the Music Department of the University of Minho. These performances are fundamental to the theme of our conference, which intertwines academic excellence with cultural enrichment. We are proud to showcase the exceptional abilities of our students, who will perform under the experienced direction of distinguished professors.
About the Music Department
The Music Department of the University of Minho, is a vibrant hub of musical activity and learning. It is committed to community engagement through a variety of events, including instrumental recitals, orchestral concerts, and academic discussions, reflecting the university’s dedication to fostering an environment of cultural and educational growth.
For more information and updates on future events, please visit our Music Department’s official website.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
May 20, 2024, at 9:30 AM
György Ligeti: Bagatelles for Wind Quintet (1953)
Duration: Approximately 13 minutes
– Allegro con spirito
– Rubato – Lamentoso
– Allegro grazioso
– Presto ruvido
– Adagio. Mesto (In memoriam Béla Bartók)
– Molto vivace – Capriccioso
Performers:
– Flute: José Luís Ferreira
– Oboe: Vera Teixeira
– Clarinet: Carolina Zeferino
– Horn: Ricardo da Costa
– Bassoon: João Flores Azevedo
Directed by Professor Pedro Junqueira Maia
May 22, 2024, at 14:30 PM
Antonín Dvořák: Serenade for Winds in D minor, Op. 44 (1878)
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
– Moderato, quasi Marcia
– Tempo di Menuetto
– Andante con moto
– Allegro molto
Performers:
– Oboes: Francisca Almeida, Jéssica Marquez
– Clarinets: João Almeida, Jorge Guise
– Bassoons: João Mendes, Marta Valle
– Horns: Carlos Estrela, Gonçalo Dinis, José Cancela
– Cello: Maria Benedita
– Double Bass: Francisca Rocha
Directed by Professor Vítor Matos
LEARNING WITH NATURE — IN PLACE
CCVF → (Pousada de Santa Marinha), guided botanical tour
Registered participants are kindly requested to gather at Foyer 1 of the Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF) at 17:50.
A dedicated bus will transport participants to the Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães (Pousada de Santa Marinha), where a guided botanical tour will take place in the historic gardens of the monastery.
The visit will be accompanied by specialised guides who will present the natural,landscape and historical heritage of this unique site, offering insight into the relationship between nature, territory and culture, in alignment with the conference theme “Learning with Nature.”
This moment has been specially designed for the participants of DESIGN COMMIT 2026, in articulation with the spirit of Guimarães – European Green Capital 2026 (CVE), providing a direct experience of the territory and its local biodiversity.
The tour takes place at the same location where the conference dinner will be held, allowing a natural transition between the botanical walk and the social gathering of the event.
After dinner, a return bus will be available to take participants back to the Centro
Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF).
19:30 — Gala Dinner
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães
The activities listed below are independent cultural and leisure suggestions for participants and accompanying guests who wish to explore Guimarães.
They are not organised, coordinated, or supervised by DESIGN COMMIT 2026, and the Conference assumes no responsibility for their content, logistics, booking conditions, safety, or any related arrangements.
DESIGN COMMIT 2026 is officially responsible only for the Conference Tour scheduled on 26 March.
All other activities are optional and must be arranged directly with the respective providers.
CAAA — Center for Art and Architecture Affairs
ℹ️ With contemporary art exhibitions, performances, and parties, CAAA is a space that promotes the intersection between art and music.
📍Rua Padre Augusto Borges de Sá, 4810-523 Guimarães, Portugal
🕒 The opening hours are Monday to Friday 2:30pm – 7pm and Saturday 3pm – 6pm
⏱️ Approx. duration: 60–90 minutes
💰 Admission: €2 | Free for students and those under 18
🛎Independent cultural visit. No reservation required.
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English.
📧 geral@centroaaa.org | ☎ (+351) 253 088 875
Eco-Historical Tour
ℹ️Departing from the Platform of Arts and Creativity (in the center of Guimarães), you will pass through Largo do Toural, considered the heart of the city. We continue through the Historic Center, Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Leather Area, where the skins were tanned and beaten.
📍The tour continues to the Pedagogical Garden, a portion of land brushed with green hues to the Sports City Park. This 12 km route travels between the city's past and present.
⏱️The duration of the program is related to the client's availability, whether they do it alone or accompanied, and the number of participants.
🚲By normal or electric bike, alone or with a guide. The company rents the bikes.
🧍♀️Guided tour: 1-10 people.
💰 Admission: Free.
🛎Independent cultural visit. No reservation required.
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English / Spanish.
🔗 https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/planear/roteiros-tours/tours-culturais/percurso/tour-eco-historico
📧 getgreen.pt@gmail.com | ☎ (+351) 935 310 373, (+351) 916 201 292, (+351) 937 417 499
Free Walking Tours
ℹ️All major European cities have a tourist offer for visitors who are not part of groups and who want to have a general overview of the cities they visit in a short time. This is the objective of Minho Free Walking Tours in Guimarães, making known its main points of historical and cultural interest. The route is pedestrian and the historical knowledge presented has the scientific direction of history teachers and researchers.
📍Meeting point: Padrão do Salgado.
🕒 Monday to Sunday: 11:00am or 4:00pm.
⏱️Duration: aprox. 2.5 hours.
💰Admission: donation-based, according to the quality the guide attributes to the visit and to the financial availability of each tourist.
🛎Independent cultural visit. No reservation required.
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English / Spanish.
📧info@visitguimaraes.travel | ☎ (+351) 253 421 221
Serra da Penha
ℹ️Serra da Penha mountain range, which rises majestically above the city, is perfect for those seeking tranquillity amidst nature, with stunning trails and viewpoints offering panoramic views over the entire region. It's possible to spot native birds and unique plant species, with various species of migratory birds passing through the area.
📍Best trails in Guimarães:
- PR3 GMR - Penha Route: This trail starts in the center of Guimarães and climbs the mountain, offering views over the city from various points, including the viewpoint of the Penha Sanctuary and the summit with the statue of Pius IX. https://pt.wikiloc.com/trilhas-trekking/pr3-rota-da-penha-guimaraes-6131769
- Circular route from the City Park: A route that starts in the City Park, climbs to the top of the mountain range and passes by viewpoints and the highest point of the mountain range. https://www.alltrails.com/pt-pt/trilho/portugal/braga/guimaraes-parque-da-cidade
- Alternative route to Penha: https://www.alltrails.com/pt-pt/trilho/portugal/braga/subida-alternativa-ate-a-penha
🔗https://www.alltrails.com/pt-pt/portugal/braga/guimaraes--2
🛎 Independent cultural visit. No reservation required.
Casa de Margaride / Villa Margaridi
ℹ️Small farm located in the parish of São Romão de Mesão Frio, in the middle of the urban area of Guimarães. It has wide views over the Penha mountain and the Monastery of Santa Marinha da Costa.
📍Villa Margaridi, Avenida Rio de Janeiro 440 4810-009 Guimarães.
💰Paid entry | Access by appointment.
⏱️Duration: 45 min.
🔗https://www.jardinshistoricos.pt/ad/412
📧casademargaride@gmail.com | ☎ +351 932 671 231
Botanical Itinerary of the Santa Marinha Inn
ℹ️Pousada Santa Marinha — a former 12th century Augustinian monastery, sits majestically on a hill overlooking the historical centre of Guimarães. This luxury hotel has won national awards for the incredible restoration that has been accomplished. It is surrounded by superb gardens that contain a rare combination of plants and trees, as well as a man-made lake. The building itself is rich with Portuguese glazed tiles, elegant cloisters, and wonderful terraces that look down over the city and valley below. The wonderful tiles (which we call azulejos in Portuguese) represent a beautiful set of pictures of the life in Portugal in the 18th century: banquets, shepherds, elephant and wild boar hunting, games, concerts, fishing practices, and are truly remarkable.
📍Largo Domingos Leite de Castro 4810-011 Guimarães
📧recepcao.stamarinha@pousadas.pt | ☎ +351 253 511 249, +351 253 514 459
Guimarães Embroidery Workshop
ℹ️Its six colors (red, blue, beige, gray, white, and black) used individually, the reproduction of stylized motifs, and the use of twenty-one stitches make it singular. In this workshop, you will learn a little about this technique, create your own embroidery, and even take it home as your personalized souvenir from Guimarães.
📍Rua Rainha D. Maria II, nº 132 4800-431 Guimarães.
🕒Monday to Friday: until 3:00pm.
⏱️Duration: 1 hour.
💰5€/person (includes embroidery).
🌍 Language: Portuguese.
📧loja@aoficina.pt | ☎ +351 253 415 250
Paladário De Guimarães Workshop of Flavor
ℹ️The Flavor Workshop is a participatory workshop with chefs and a final tasting, in a plant-based cuisine style, recognizing the food resources of the territory with a signature of creativity and sustainability. Everything is organic, in a kitchen with Zero Waste, Zero Kilometer and Fair Trade practices.
📍Cor de Tangerina Restaurant — Largo Martins Sarmento 89 4800-432 Guimarães
🕒Tuesday to Thursday.
⏱️Duration: 3 hours.
🧍♀️2-25 people.
💰78€/person (with final tasting of all prepared products).
🛎Reservation: 1 week prior.
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English / Spanish.
📧cordetangerina@gmail.com | ☎ +351 966 876 165
Ceramics Workshop
ℹ️In this workshop you will have the opportunity to learn one or two hand-modelling techniques and make one or two pieces, depending on their complexity. At the end of the workshop, the pieces will remain in the studio and a few weeks later, they will be delivered, fired and glazed.
📍Atelier Claro — R. Nossa Sra. Fátima 13 4805-137 Caldas das Taipas.
🕒Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 8:30pm and Fridays from 3:30pm to 6:00pm
⏱️Duration: 2.5 hours.
💰35€/person (plus possible delivery of the pieces via mail/courier at a cost of at least €5).
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English / Spanish.
🔗 https://atelierclaro.com/collections/atelier-de-ceramica
📧 atelierclaro@gmail.com | ☎ +351 966 112 888
Nature
ℹ️Vegetables can have many different colors. In this activity, visitors extract pigments from vegetables and use them to make small drawings. All the techniques used in this workshop are handcrafted and can be replicated at home.
📍Curtir Ciência — Rua da Ramada 166 4810-445 Guimarães.
🕒Monday to Saturday: 9:30am - 1:00pm / 2:00pm - 6:00pm.
⏱️Duration: 45min.
🧍♀️4-10 people.
💰5€/person (you can take the drawing you create).
🛎Reservation: 24h prior.
🌍 Languages: Portuguese / English.
📧geral@curtirciencia.pt | ☎ +351 253 510 830
Disfigures
ℹ️A shop specializing in "gifts and design"— unique products, handcrafted or with original designs.
📍Rua Dr. Avelino Germano 81, 4800-150 Guimarães.
☎ +351 253 060 183
Oficina Shop
ℹ️This shop focuses on local crafts from Guimarães, for example, the typical Guimarães Embroidery and the Cantarinha dos Namorados, a traditional symbol.
📍Rua Rainha D. Maria II, nº 132 4800-431 Guimarães.
📧loja@aoficina.pt t | ☎ +351 253 515 250
Portuguese Soul
A shop that selects only Portuguese products: flavors, design, crafts, culture. Accessories with a traditional yet contemporary touch.
📍Alma Portuguesa — Rua Dr. António Mota Prego, 11 4800-434 Guimarães.
🔗https://www.almaportuguesacabazesgourmet.com/
Bars and terraces:
Largo da Oliveira and Praça de Santiago are important tourist spots during the day, but at night they transform into lively places, with bars and terraces packed with people. Located in the historic Center.
Wine bars/restaurants:
Live music:
Convívio bar — https://www.facebook.com/conviviogmr/
Nightlife:
CAAA — Center for Art and Architecture Affairs (https://www.centroaaa.org/), which, at night, organizes events that attract an audience interested in new artistic expressions.
Vila Flor Cultural Center (https://www.ccvf.pt/). Theatre and music are excellent options for those seeking quality nighttime entertainment. This renowned cultural center regularly hosts dance, music, and theatre performances, offering a rich and diverse program.