Braga

Braga is a city with a clever mix of art, nature, culture and religion. Built more than 2,000 years ago, it remains the 3rd largest city in Portugal, capital of the province of Minho. Immerse yourself in the heart of a religious center with many impressive monuments, the visit is breathtaking and the atmosphere young and dynamic. Located north of Porto, Braga is a tourist place not to be missed.

Braga, a charming religious city to visit in Portugal

Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, notably Augustus, which gave it the name Bacara Augusta known as Braga. Considered the religious center of Portugal, it has around a hundred churches, sanctuaries and chapels as well as more than 60 parishes. We understand better its nickname “Portuguese Rome”. It would be risky to cite each of the religious buildings, but some are famous and worth visiting:

• The Sé Cathedral of Braga, the oldest in Portugal, is the symbol of the city. Built in the 12th century, it mixes Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque styles and retains artistic elements such as the Porta do Sol or the Our Lady of Milk statue.
• The Bom Jesus Do Monte Sanctuary is a magnificent church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dominates the city from the top of its baroque staircase with 600 steps, installed on the side of the hill. Chapels, sculptures, gardens and granite buildings, this is a visit not to be missed.

Terceiros Church, Our Lady of the Tower Chapel, Santa Cruz Church or Sao Marcos Church, visits to religious buildings can last all day.

Braga, the discovery of a cultural and lively city in Portugal

Religion is not the only attraction of Braga which has many surprises in store for you. As soon as you arrive, pass under the Arco da Porta Nova, the old main gate which provides access to the medieval city. For the rest of the visit, it's up to you to choose according to your interests:

• The Santa Barbara Garden surrounded by historic buildings. Magnificent and romantic, its flowers and colors intertwine wonderfully around the central fountain topped with the Santa Barbara sculpture.
• The Biscainhos Museum, a stately house in the Baroque style where decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries are preserved.
• The D. Diogo de Sousa Regional Museum of Archeology brings together pieces from the period between the Paleolithic and the Middle Ages, unique collections discovered in Braga and its surroundings.
• The Raio Palace, a magnificent example of Baroque architecture with a facade covered in azulejos. Today, the palace can be visited as a museum to discover its history and its evolution.
• The Theatro Circo is one of the most beautiful in Portugal, an architectural temple that hosts circus art, shows, film screenings, conferences, exhibitions and festivals. An exciting guided tour is offered to discover all the secrets of this majestic building.

It is advisable to spend a whole day in Braga to have time to see everything, but two days may be necessary if you like to relax and take coffee breaks.

Discover Braga from Porto

Braga can be the flagship destination of your vacation, or a tourist stop during your stay in Porto. Rest assured, it is very easy to reach Braga by the different means of transport offered:

• The train departing from Sao Bento station in Porto. Lasting 1 hour 15 minutes, the journey includes several stops in small country villages.
• The minibus if you land at the airport to go directly to Braga. The trip is 50 minutes, time to observe the landscapes before arriving.
• On a guided tour from Porto if you have little time, but want to discover everything. The excursion can even be combined with the discovery of Guimarães.
• By car if you rent a vehicle for the day or the duration of your stay. It is not really recommended to go to Braga, the cost is higher than the train or bus.

Once there, you can visit the city by tuk-tuk if you are tired, or enjoy the surroundings. Public transport is developed enough to easily move around the region.

It's difficult to know what you prefer in Braga: its art, its architecture or its history. The good news is that you now know where to go and how to get to Braga to discover the city from all its angles.