Portugal City Travel Guide: Braga
- Population 111,000.
- The "Rome of Portugal."
- Famous pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte.
- Portugal's ancient religious capital.
- Relaxing town of palaces, churches and historic mansions.
- Convenient base for exploring the southern Minho region.
- Portugal's 5th largest city.
Often referred to as Portugal's 'Rome', Braga dates back to Celtic times and was an important Roman settlement from 20 BCE onwards. The ecclesiastical feel is emphasized by the town's main sites: The ornate Baroque church of Bom Jesus do Monte, 5 km outside the center is still an important pilgrimage site; the sprawling Sé (Tel: 253 263 317) in the historic center of town is the oldest cathedral in Portugal; the huge, elaborate, medieval Archbishop's Palace, now the city's main library and archives. There's another pilgrimage staircase and shrine at Santuário do Sameiro, less than 2 km from Bom Jesus. This 19th century sanctuary is the second largest Marian devotional shrine in Portugal after Fátima. Altogether, there are over 30 churches in Braga.
A number of historic mansions are scattered around the town often serving as museums, such as the Palácio dos Biscaínhos, which houses a fine art collection.
Braga has been modernizing in recent years as it grows as a commercial and fashion center and there is concern over the balance between conservation of Braga's unique heritage and the need for further economic development.
At Easter the town plays host to eerie religious processions and the colorful Festas de São João (June 23-24) and the festival of gigantones - giant carnival figures - (June 18-20) adds excitement for visitors at this time.
Braga is not without good bars, restaurants and clubs. There are some historic cafes in Praça da República and lots of places to eat along Rua D. Diogo de Sousa.
Within easy reach of the city is the pleasant coastal resort of Viana do Castelo and the beautiful Minho valley.
A good point of reference for visitors is the tranquil Praça da República with its fountain and the turismo in its south west corner and a useful shopping center to the north.
Braga's main attraction is the spectacular Sé de Braga (Braga Cathedral) which dates from the 11th century when the Romanesque church was begun with later additions in Gothic and Manueline style. The splendid interior has a beautiful carved altar and blue and white azulejos relating the story of the cathedral's early history. The cathedral includes the Cathedral Treasure museum with a collection of religious artifacts - azulejos, statues, caskets, chalices and clothing including the original iron cross used to celebrate the very first mass held in Brazil.
Opposite the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace (Antigo Paço Episcopal) consisting of three wings in different architectural styles. The oldest is the Gothic East Wing begun in the 14th century, the Baroque West Wing and the South Wing made up of buildings with various styles. The Palace contains the city library and faces the delightful Jardim de Santa Barbara square.
Braga's other main sights include The Museu Dom Diogo De Sousa (Tel: 253 273 706; Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários), a modern archaeological museum opened in 2007 and displaying the accumulated archaeological riches of the area with emphasis on the Roman settlement of Bracara Augusta.
The Museu Dos Biscainhos (Tel: 253 204 650), an 18th century palace and gardens with rich displays of azulejos, ceramics, furniture, glassware, paintings and historic timepieces. The ornate Arco Da Porta Nova is a surviving gate of the city's wall dating from 1773 near the Antigo Paço Episcopal.
Opposite is the interesting Museu da Imagem which occupies a 19th century building with a 14th century tower that was once part of the city's wall. The museum displays a collection of historic cameras and photographs. The museum also holds temporary exhibitions especially during the summer tourist season.
A few kilometers out of town by bus is the superb Mosteiro de Tibães, the oldest Benedictine monastery in Portugal, set in verdant, fertile grounds with an unbelievably ornate chapel. Highlights are the beautiful cloisters, azulejos, gardens and the monk's quarters.
Read more about Braga's museums and attractions.
Festivals in Braga
Braga's main festivals are: the famous Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations over Easter with hooded penitents shaking large wooden rattles and religious effigies carried through the streets and the more light-hearted pre-Christian Festas de Sao Joao on June 23-24 with folk plays, dancing and lots of basil.
Braga Roman is a celebration of Braga's Roman past when the city was known as Bracara Augusta. Held over 5 days in late May the festival recreates the daily life of Bracara Augusta with circus arts, dances, triumphal processions, dramatic performances, and guided visits to various museums and the city's Roman sights. For further information visit: bragaromana.cm-braga.pt
NoiteBrancaBraga (White Nights Braga) where people dress in white clothes and party until dawn in the first week of September. The festival includes pop concerts, a contemporary circus, performances, street food and special exhibitions. The city sets up five or six sound stages around the downtown area with concerts and performances at each one from early evening to way into the morning. The performances highlight prominent Portuguese performers. There are street performances as well and food trucks for street food, and local delicacies. The energy and the crowds are incredible. For further information visit: noitebrancabraga.com
Braga is also home to the Theatro Circo on Avenida da Liberdade, which is an incredibly grand and picturesque performance space, the third most significant in Portugal. It hosts performances of theatre, music, and dance throughout the year. For further information visit: theatrocirco.com
Braga Tourist Office
Corner of Praça da República/Avenida da Liberdade (tel. 253 262 550)
Getting to Braga
Air
Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, 20 km north west of Porto is the nearest airport to Braga. There are direct buses taking about 50 minutes from Porto Airport to both Braga Bus Station and Guimaraes with Getbus. Tickets can be bought online, at the airport service desk or with the driver directly.
There are departures from Porto Airport at 5 am, 8.30 am, 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.45 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.30 pm, 5.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 10.30 pm and 12.45 am. The fare is 8 Euros one-way or 14 Euros return. The 9.30 am, 11.30 am and 2.15 pm departures do not run on weekends and public holidays. The 10.30 pm departure does not run on Saturday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
From Braga Bus Station there are departures to Porto Airport at 4 am, 6 am, 8 am, 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 4.30 pm, 6.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 9.30 pm and 11.15 am. The 8 am, 11.30 am and 1 pm departures do not run on weekends and public holidays. The 9.30 pm departure does not run on Saturday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Porto Metro Line E connects to Porto Airport from Campanhã Station from where there are frequent trains to Braga.
Train Travel in Portugal
11-14 trains daily make the 1 hour run between Braga Station and Porto. To go north to Barcelos and Viana do Castelo change at Nine; 8-11 trains daily on the 3-hour 20 minute run from Lisbon to Braga. The IC train to Lisbon takes 4 hours.
Car Travel in Portugal
Around an hour by car from Porto on the A3/IP1 Auto-Estrada.
Bus Travel in Portugal
Braga Bus Station is 500 metres north of Praça da República on Av. General Norton de Matos close to the Mercado Municipal.
Fairly frequent buses a day make the 2 hours 40 minute journey between Braga and Coimbra.
Buses to Porto are every 30 minutes and take 60-70 minutes. There are 8-11 buses daily to Lisbon (approx. 4 hours 30 mins.) There are also bus connections to Viana do Castelo (90 minutes), Guimaraes (50 minutes), Viseu (3 hours) and Barcelos (1 hour). If coming from Chaves and Bragança in Trás-os-Montes, change in Guimaraes.
Read more about bus travel to and in Braga.
Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
Featured Hotel
Basic Braga Hotel, Braga, 3 Star hotel, close to Braga Station, satellite TV, en suite bath.
Book Hotel Accommodation in Braga
Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com
Eating
A Ceia
Rua do Raoi 331
Locals' favorite with steaks & roast chicken
Tel. 253 263 932, closed Monday.
Drinking
Café Astória
Praça da República
Genteel old coffee house; unrelated disco upstairs.
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Internet Cafe
Baba de Camelo
Rua Cónego Rafael Álvares da Costa, 26 - 1
10 pm-2 am.
Almost all of the restaurants, cafes, and pastelarias in Braga have some kind of accessible wi-fi including Café Vianna, in Praça da República.
Users with MEO phone service can also access the MEO wireless network (MEO-WIFI) throughout Braga. It is secure and one must sign up on their website to use it.
Local football team
Sporting Clube de Braga
Stadium name: Braga Municipal Stadium seats 30,000 and was newly constructed for Euro2004. Tours of the stadium are offered of this amazing ground which appears to have been carved out of the local hills.
Weather in Braga
The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
Get more weather information for Portugal
Map of Braga
