Braga is a historic city located in the Northern Region of Portugal. Braga has become known for its beautiful Baroque architecture, and the supremely impressive Bom Jesus do Monte on a dramatic hilltop overlooking the city.
Braga is Portugal’s third largest city with a population of 190,000, however when exploring the small streets, and historical attractions it rarely feels this big. However, you’ll find a vibrant array of bars and restaurants, and all the facilities a larger city provides! It’s also home to one of the largest universities in Portugal, the University of Minho with a student population of nearly 20,000. Want to find out what to see and do in Braga?
Brief history of Braga
Braga has 2,000 years of recorded history and walking through its medieval streets it’s easy to get lost in time. Evidence of pre-Roman iron age settlements have been found beneath the city although there is no recorded history or written evidence of them. A Roman city – Bracara Augusta was founded in the area in 15BC. Bracara Augusta would become the capital of Galécia, a Roman province that covered modern day Northern Portugal, Galicia, Asturias and Léon. Bracara Augusta then moved through several distinct periods, being part of the Suevian Kingdom, and then the Moorish empire, which culminated in the Reconquista in the 11th century.
The City of Braga was born. Its main cathedral – Sé de Braga, which also happens to be the oldest cathedral in Portugal dates to 1089 and was built on the ruins of a Roman Temple. The new city would gradually be developed around the fortified cathedral, only taking a small part of the once much larger city.
What to See and Do in Braga
Braga is a fascinating city to explore, blending medieval streets, with historic plazas, and ancient architecture. There’s a modern city here too, brew-pubs and modern bars, restaurants, and extensive shopping to explore as well! We typically recommend visitors start in the historic quarter at one of the main plazas. The first of these Rua Dom Paio Mendes. It’s a pedestrianised street that leads right up to the cathedral, a great place to grab a coffee to fuel up before exploring further.
Braga Cathedral – Sé de Braga
As you walk up the street, the grand towers of Braga Cathedral loom over you. Braga cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Portugal and features a mix and match of architectural styles leading through the Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque periods. Access to the cathedral is not through its main entrance and Gothic portals, but actually on a side street of the Cathedral on Rua do Cabido.
There’s several different routes and tickets to access the Cathedral, a ticket to the cathedral only (€2.00), the chapels and high choir (€2.00), and a ticket to the Cathedral Museum (€3.00), and a ticket that covers everything for €5.00. The simplest is to buy the full ticket for €5.00 which allows access to everywhere. The cathedral visit is roughly split into three main areas, the cathedral itself, the chapels, and its museums.
Arco da Porta Nova
After exiting the cathedral, heading west along Rua Dom Diogo de Sousa, will lead you to Arco da Porta Nova a Baroque portal and historic entrance to the city. It dates to 1722 and was designed by a local architect André Soares, who’s left his mark on other northern cities like Viana do Castelo. By the time the grand gate was completed, Braga had already expanded well beyond the entrance and such no door was ever placed within the grand arch.
“És de Braga?” – Are You from Braga?
According to popular folklore, this grand gate and its famously gateless entry is the origins of the phrase és de Braga? Which translates to are you from Braga? Which is often used as a retort to people leaving doors open, much like the English – were you born in a barn?
Praça do Município
The archway is just a short walk from the grand Praça do Município, it’s a lively square lined with trees and a historic fountain at the centre. On one side of the square is the Paços do Concelho de Braga, a Baroque palace that dates to 1754 it is now the city hall of Braga. On the other side of the square is the public library which is also housed in a former palace which dates to 1746. Both Baroque buildings were designed by André Soares.
Santa Barbara Gardens – Jardim de Santa Bárbara
One of the prettiest corners of Braga is the Santa Barbara gardens. You’ll find immaculate rows of colourful flower beds, a 17th century fountain, all within the backdrop of a Medieval palace, and some ruins. The castle like building is the medieval and older section of Paço Arquiepiscopal Bracarense, which Baroque frontage faces the Praça do Município. Surrounding the garden, you’ll find several cafés and ice cream shops which give the whole area a lively communal feel right in the city centre.
Café A Brasileira Braga
The pedestrianised Braga centro histórico offers explorers ample shopping and restaurants in almost any direction you walk, and once you’ve taken in the sights and sounds you should head to one of the most historic and famous cafés in Braga, and perhaps Portugal. Café A Brasileira dates to the early 20th century when a returning emigrant called Andriano Telles founded several outlets across Portugal to sell coffee from his coffee plantations in Brazil.
Supposedly, for the first 15 years or so of business, Telles would give a fresh café with every purchase of a bag of beans. Soon, his business would become more popularly known for selling cafés, then selling beans and the historic brand A Brasileira was established. The first Café A Brasileira’s opened in Porto 1903, but establishments in Aveiro, Coimbra, Braga and Lisbon soon followed.
Praça da República
From Café a Brasileira you’ll be able to see a large opening, this is Praça da República and it leads directly to Jardim da Avenida Central. It’s a treelined square and park and is the centre of the city. It’s one of the busiest areas but you don’t have to walk far to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Braga Tower
Looking back towards the historic quarter of the city you’ll see Igreja da Lapa and the iconic Braga Tower. This is the keep and only remains of the former castle that protected Braga. The 30m tall Gothic tower is a 13th Century reminder of just how old parts of Braga really are. Inside is a small museum where you can see the original layout of the city and its original walls, you’ll also find a photography exhibition featuring local artists, and at the very top some great views of Braga.
Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade is a wide-open pedestrianised street that leads south from Praça da Republica. It’s one of the main commercial streets and you’ll find a mixture of both local Portuguese brands, and many of your international favourites. It’s line with geometric flower beds and it’s a great place to simply grab a coffee and people watch on many of the available benches. Avenida da Liberdade is also where you’ll find Braga’s theatre – Teatro Circo. It’s a 900-seat theatre that dates to 1906 and is perhaps the focal point of Braga’s lively cultural calendar. You can find its events calendar and purchase tickets directly at its box office, or online on its website.
Largo Carlos Amarante
A right turn at the Theatre Circo will lead you towards Largo Carlos Amarante, another of Braga’s emblematic squares. It’s here you’ll find your typical touristy sign made of Braga’s letters, and the very impressive Igreja do Hospital ou Igreja de São Marcos. The public square, gardens and flowers, and monumental Baroque hospital and church towers really do shout Braga, even if the sign wasn’t there! The building itself no longer functions as a hospital, in 2018 the hotel chain Vila Galé redeveloped the right wing and courtyard into a luxury hotel.
Palácio do Raio
Getting yet another mention in this guide to Braga, is André Soares’ stunning Palácio do Raio. It’s a mid-18th century palace that was designed for a wealthy merchant in the city – João Duarte de Faria. Interestingly, and a characteristic that’s missing from many other Baroque buildings in Braga, are the bright blue Azulejo tiles covering the palace. These are not from the original André Soares design and were actually added to the palace at the end of the 19th century. Inside the palace is a small but worthwhile interpretive centre with several collections covering the architectural heritage of Braga, some religious artifacts, and even some medical equipment from its use as a hospital building.
Roman Thermae of Maximinus – Roman Ruins in Braga
Braga’s Roman connection is often mentioned, but often hidden from plain site. However, at the Termas Romanas de Maximinos you’ll find plenty of evidence. The ruins of the public baths were discovered in 1977 and date to the 1st century, an early period of the city’s Roman development. It’s a small museum that’s covered from the elements, with walkways over and around the bathing complex. A great place to see some of the Roman history in Braga. It costs €2 to enter.
Is Braga Really the Portuguese Rome?
Braga is rather affectionately known as Roma Portuguesa the Portuguese Rome. It’s a title that’s often used due to its Roman history, the large number of churches across the city, and because it’s known as the religious centre of Portugal. However, the title actually dates to the 16th century when Archbishop D. Diogo de Sousa was inspired by a recent visit to Rome to create a city with open public plazas with churches just like in Rome. His city plan left his mark on the city to this day.
You’ll also hear it referred to as Cidade Romana – the Roman City, this title more accurately reflects its Roman History and connection to Bracara Augusta which was the most important Roman city in the modern area of Northern Portugal and Galicia.
Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte
The highlight of any trip to Braga, and the picture-perfect moment everyone tries to capture is from the stunning Bom Jesus do Monte. It’s not actually in Braga, but 6km away from the centre on a hill that overlooks the city. It’s an incredible 18th century basilica that sits atop a grand set of stairs.
Via Sacra do Bom Jesus – Sacred Way of the Cross of Bom Jesus
There are 573 individual stairs, across three different sections that make up the pathway of Via Sacra do Bom Jesus. Each section draws inspiration from religion, mythology and natural forms, and lead the way to the grand church at the top of the staircase. In total they cover a 116m rise in altitude. At the very top of the stairs is Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte the 18th century church, you’ll also find landscaped gardens, a forecourt with fountains and statues and several chapels.
Basílica do Bom Jesus
Despite its religious nature, the area has the overall feel of a landscaped city park, you’ll see locals exercising on the grand steps, people walking their dogs, and people catching up over coffee on one of the many benches spread around. All converging with coach trips and day trippers that get dropped off in the car park of the sanctuary itself. Early in the mornings, or late in the afternoons are the best time to experience Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte. You’ll get the best light, and it’s the quietest time for taking photos of the stairs. The sunset and views over Braga are just incredible.
Local Food and Drinks in Braga
As a major city Braga has its fair share of eating and drinking establishments, and as the heart of the Minho region some excellent local dishes and flavours to explore. One of the most emblematic dishes you’ll find is a variant of bacalhau named after Braga – Bacalhau à Braga. It’s a dish that combines bacalhau with fried onions, peppers, garlic and fried sliced potatoes! On the sweeter side of things Braga is famous for Pudim Abade de Priscos, a crème caramel dessert.
For drinking, make sure you try Vinho Verde a light, fresh, and slightly sparkling wine from the Minho region. It’s a DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) which means it can only be produced in the Minho wine region. For beer lovers, Braga even has its own craft brewery scene pioneered by Cerveja Letra. You’ll find their tap room Letraria on Rua Dom Gonçalo Pereira just a short walk from the cathedral.
Should you Stay in Braga?
Although yes, Braga can be completed within a day trip. To really experience these cities like these we often recommend staying at least a night. This will allow you to wonder around the town once the typical day trippers have left, to sample some incredible local food and drink. Trust us when we say that the sunset from Bom Jesus do Monte is absolutely incredible, it’s probably one of our favourite sunsets in Portugal! It’s an experience few day trippers will have because it means you’ll need to stay late enough to capture it!
Where to Stay in Braga?
Braga boasts a wider array of accommodation covering all budgets. You’ll also find a few of the major chains like Meliá just a couple of km from the city centre. We do recommend staying in the city centre itself though – for the historic experience and ability to simply walk to the sites. For a palatial like stay in a Baroque building, than the Vila Galé is the supreme luxury option. Porta Nova Collection House is a small hotel/guesthouse offering simple rooms in a restored building right in the city centre. For a full list of accommodation available in Braga you can check here.
How to Get to Braga
Braga is located in the north of Portugal, around 55km north of Porto. Nearly all public transport connections will take you through Porto. If you drive, it will also take you around the outskirts of Porto.
Driving to Braga – If you have a rental car or your own vehicle, then driving directly to Braga is a simple option. It will take around 40 minutes to drive to Braga from Porto, or around 3 and a half hours to drive from Lisbon. There’s some fantastic places to stop on the way as well!
Don’t have a rental car booked yet? Then our guide covers everything you should know about renting one in Portugal!
Public Transport in Braga – Trains and Buses
Braga is served by a regular Urban service from Porto, which departs from São Bento in the city centre, Braga is the final stop on the railway line. The journey will take around an hour, with the longest route taking 71 minutes). A single ticket from Porto to Braga costs €3.25 for adult, and a return cost €6.50. For the full timetables and for tickets, book directly on the official website (Combois de Portugal).
Braga is also served by a large bus station, with multiple connections to the local and wider area. Rede Expressos, also known as Renex, operate regional services, as well as the low-cost long-distance operator Flixbus. Services from Lisbon to Braga are available but they typically take around 4 and a half hours, but they are direct!
Braga or Guimarães?
Braga or Guimarães is a popular question, they’re both beautiful northern cities boasting heritage, culture, and great scenery. Adding to their twin status is the fact they both have hillside retreats that overlook the town – Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, and Santuário da Penha in Guimarães. They have their differences, and they have their similarities. Can you visit both?
Should you Visit Braga?
Braga is one of our favourite cities in Portugal and combines stunning architecture, with a vibrant and local feel. It’s one of our favourite northern cities and we always recommend it to visitors exploring North Portugal. Bom Jesus do Monte is a stunning place and is worthy of a trip in its own right, but combine it with the historic and lively town below and you’ve got a fantastic base to explore the Northern region of Portugal.
