Braga

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Two main characteristics shape Braga's personality: the fact of having one of the largest universities in the country (Minho University) and the fact that it is a very devout city. Dubbed as the City of the Archbishops, it has many religious monuments of great patrimonial value that can be found and visited here. Due to the University's deployment, and all it generates around itself, it is a very young city. The streets, especially the pedestrian streets in the historic center with the traditional trade, have a permanent liveliness. The historic sites have been preserved as historic cafés and are the scene of conviviality among generations, like the Vianna and A Brasileira. The Romans called it Bracara Augusta and, from those times, traces such as the Fonte do Ídolo fountain, the Roman baths of the Alto da Cividade and the Arco da Porta Nova arch, among others, have remained. Sameiro and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus are locations of major pilgrimages, with visitors from all over the world. In this same location you can find the Bom Jesus Elevator, which was inaugurated in 1882, being the first funicular to be built in the Iberian Peninsula and it is currently the oldest in the world using the water balance system. The city holds a large number of religious monuments, of which the Capela de São Frutuoso de Montélios chapel, the Convent of Pópulo and the Monastery of Tibães are good examples. All monuments of high patrimonial interest. The city has very diverse cultural programs. There are many museums that can be visited, such as the Museu da Imagem (Museum of the Image) and the Nogueira da Silva Museum, among others. The gastronomy of Minho is one of the most appreciated all over the country, so it is common to find the bacalhau à Braga (fried codfish dish), rojões à moda do Minho (fried pork meat dish) and the papas de sarrabulho (kind of mash with different types and parts of meat), as well as the Abade de Priscos pudding in almost all restaurants.

Where to eat in Braga

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What to do in Braga

Jardins do Santuário do Bom Jesus

Braga

A very lovely garden, with several flowerbeds, trees, fountains, benches and a belvedere with wonderful panoramic views.

Medeia Teatro Circo

Braga

Inaugurated in 1915 and planned by the architect João Moura Coutinho, this was the most important construction in Braga in the early 20th century. It is the biggest cultural space in town with a wide variety of offers.

Termas Romanas do Alto da Cividade

Braga

These are also known as Roman Baths/Spa of alto da Cividade are located on the upper part in Cividade slope. They were discovered during the working excavations made during 1977. The building is placed in the 1st century and it is integrated on the urban renovation work of Flávia Braca Augusta.

Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Sameiro

Braga

Revival Sanctuary located on top of Mount Sameiro, consisting of a staircase, an enclosure for field and a church mass. Around there is a wide space with a tree-lined Park, gardens, a cruise, some sources, a chapel, the Home of the prints, the Dean's House and a restaurant.

Elevador do Bom Jesus

Braga

This is the first funicular of the Iberian Peninsula, built in 1882 by the Swiss engineer Nikolaus Riggenbach. This lift utilizes the water balance system, being one of only seven existing in Portugal and the oldest in the world. You can take advantage of to climb up to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus in this elevator, avoiding climbing its huge …

Mosteiro de São Martinho de Tibães

Braga

Ancient Benedictine monastery, whose present ensemble dates from the XVIII century. The monastery has four cloisters and the most important is decorated with azulejos and a granite fountain at the centre. The church has beautiful golden woodcarving works.

Torre de Menagem do Castelo de Braga

Braga

This is all that’s left of the Braga’s castle, which formed a medieval fortress. It has 12 meters long and about 30 meters height. The granite tower is crowned with battlements and angles. In one of the fronts a D. Dinis coat of arms.

Igreja do Bom Jesus

Braga

This church was constructed under the orders of archbishop Dom Gaspar of Bragança in 1784 and it was ready in 1811. It is one of the first neoclassic buildings in Portugal and it was drawn by the architect Carlos Amarante.

Sé de Braga

Braga

This medieval temple suffered several changes through the centuries. The classification includes the tombs of the Conde Dom Henrique, Dona Teresa, the Infante Dom Afonso and the archbishops Dom Gonçalo Pereira and Dom Diogo de Sousa

Ponte do Prado sobre o Cávado

Braga

This bridge has horizontal platform with two ramps placed above nine irregular and round arches. The paths are supported in several modillions and the guards are in iron.

Capela de São Frutuoso

Braga

Built between 650 and 665, with the name of São Salvador de Montélios, by the bishop of Braga, São Frutuoso, it was probably rebuilt in the X or XI century, being the only Roman- Byzantine art exemplar in Portugal. Later, …

Museu Nogueira da Silva

Braga

The Nogueira da Silva Museum owes its foundation to the legacy of the Comendador António Augusto Nogueira da Silva, made to the Minho University in 1975. The museum and the University Gallery run in the same building.

Jardim da Avenida Central

Braga

Walk through these gardens and enjoy the serenity right in the heart of the town. Give your attention to the building façades around the place. This is a lovely place, filled with trees and flowers, enabling walks and sports practices.

A Brasileira

Braga

One of the oldest cafes and with more history of the city, having celebrated 100 years in 2007. It is located in the historic area, and their friendly terrace, watching the arcade and the beginning of Avenida da Liberdade.

Museu de Arte Sacra da Sé de Braga

Braga

The Museum of the Cathedral See integrates the various chapels of the cathedral and the high-choir, with Iberian organs.

Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Braga

Its construction was ordered by the Archbishop Dom João Coimbra in 1525. It origin is probably Romanic, and the chapel has gothic lines. Inside are worthy of notice the XVIII century glazed tiles.

Caminho de Santiago - Braga

Braga

Named by "Caminho de Geira Romana", this road is signalized by millenarian roman marks, being part of the way that connected Braga to Santiago de Compostela and to Rome. Here we leave the suggestion to a small circuit in Braga …

Edifício do Hospital de São Marcos

Braga

Baroque building dated from the XVIII century. On top of the building there are eight images representing martyrs and Apostles, by Carlos Amarante.

Rua Diogo de Sousa e Rua do Souto

Braga

These streets, located in the centre of Braga City, are the most important commercial areas. They are traditional places where can shop and, at the same time, enjoy the traits of historical centre of Braga.

Serra da Falperra

Braga

This mountain is located in the foothills of the serra da Cabreira, more precisely six miles northeast of Braga. The Bom Jesus and Sameiro are two places of pilgrimage to visit this mountain range overlooking the city. Annually, at the …

Museu dos Biscaínhos

Braga

The Biscainho Museu is located in a patrimonial ensemble with a house and historical gardens from the XVIII century. This is a manor-house from the baroque period, integrating decorative art collections of Portuguese furniture and ceramic from the XVII and …

Café Vianna

Braga

Centenarian café, which kept the original architecture. Here have been writers such as Eça de Queirós and Camilo Castelo Branco. It has a nice esplanade under the arcades, and people come, not only for a coffee, but also to have …

Museu Pio XII

Braga

The Pio XII Museum is divided in three nucleus: Medieval Tower, Medina collection and the Museum. It belongs to the Braga’s diocese and is devoted mainly to archaeology and religious art.

Palácio do Raio

Braga

This is one of the most representative exemplars of the baroque taste, on the height of its exuberance. It was built in 1754 and the “rocaille” front as well as the staircase stand out.

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Where to sleep in Braga

Hotel do Parque
Hotel do Parque

4 star

Entirely rebuilt from the original structure of a 19th-century building stands in the Centre of beautiful and romantic gardens. Here it is easy to practice the…

Méliã Braga Hotel & Spa
Méliã Braga Hotel & Spa

5 star

The Meliá Braga Hotel & Spa is the first five-star unit from the city of Braga. It is a modern and sophisticated hotel of superior category, whose architecture…

Villa Garden Braga
Villa Garden Braga

4 star

Eis uma verdadeira surpresa, este palacete do século XIX magistralmente recuperado quase no centro da cidade dos arcebispos. O hotel Villa Garden Braga tem 26 …

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Near Braga

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Vila Nova de Famalicão

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