In the town's historic core, two streets are particularly noteworthy. The narrow medieval Rua de Santa Maria is the street long acknowledged by art historians as the most beautiful in town. Here you'll find some outlets for handicrafts and such souvenirs as ceramics, woodcarvings, handmade lace, and embroidered linen. More geared to the needs of residents is the main commercial thoroughfare, Rua Gil Vicente. For handicrafts, the best-stocked shop in town is Artesanato de Guimarães, Rua Paio Galvão (tel. 25/351-52-50). Loosely affiliated with the municipal government, it functions as a showplace for the works of dozens of artisans from throughout the region, with an emphasis on textiles, woodcarvings, ceramics, and metalwork.
