Braga
Discover Braga
Braga is one of the five largest cities of Portugal, situated in the Minho region in the North of the country. It is known for its abundance of churches and thus called the "city of archbishops". Apart from its rich and long ecclesiastical history and numerous churches, the city also boasts beautiful views from the hills surrounding it, a sizeable old town full of historic buildings and a heritage dating back to Roman times, when it was known as Bracara Augusta. Braga is also the seat of the Universidade do Minho, with a medium size campus area with lots of bars and cheap restaurants around it. Apart from the student life, the university also brought about numerous technological ventures that turned Braga into Portugal's Silicon Valley.
What to Experience in Braga
Taste of Braga...
The region offers a diverse natural landscape bearing the cultural influences of many centuries. This is reflected in the multiplicity of gastronomic specialities available from the regions kitchens; potato and cabbage broth, bread made from maize, roast pork, cod, octopus and trout, chicken rice "pica no chão" and duck rice, the kid (goat) and the baked heifer and local hams. Beware of ordering a full ration of roast chicken, although it tastes wonderful you will get a mountain of chicken and potatoes that may be enough for 3 to 4 persons. There are lots of cheap restaurants around the city. Particularly around the University Campus, on the eastern part of town. Nightlife in Braga may be quite monotonous sometimes. Clubs in town are open only on weekends and Wednesdays, since it is "academic night" and most students go on having a drink and end the night in one of the local clubs. There are lots of small bars around the historic city centre. Most of them are well hidden on the tight streets, and you will only find them with the help of locals. It is not advised to walk around the city centre at night by yourself. It may look safe and very crowded during the day, but it's quite abandoned and very very dark during the night as most people prefer to go into the bars and coffee shops. You can find some cheap pensions in Rua dos Chãos (near Avenida Central and not far from the bus station).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe easiest way to go to Braga by plane is to fly to Porto international airport (OPO). Once you get to Porto Airport, you can catch the following transport to Braga: Alternative airports are in Vigo, Santiago de Compostela and Lisbon. From all these cities go direct intercity buses to Braga, from Lisbon also direct trains. Braga has a major terminus 41.548329-8.4343231 railway station, with an impressive new high-rise building erected in 2004, contrasting with the small historic one sitting alongside. It alternates with Guimarães as the northernmost terminus of Alfa Pendular high-speed and Intercidades long-distance trains, although not all trains reach either city - Braga sees five long-distance services daily, and less on weekends and holidays. The long-distance trains connect Braga with Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto and other cities. You can transfer in either Lisbon or Porto for southern cities like Évora or Faro....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Public transportation within Braga is provided by Transportes Urbanos de Braga (website only in Portuguese as of 2016), which operates a few dozen bus lines throughout the municipality. As the municipality is quite expansive in size, it has been divided into three zones (coroas) for fare calculation purposes. Almost all tourist attractions are in Coroa 1, but outlying sanctuaries such as Bom Jesus are in Coroa 2. The current fares you see here. There are lots of places to visit in Braga. The historic city centre, with the cathedral and other churches, museums and traditional shops. The cathedral is almost 1000 years old, and while in there you can have a guided tour to its treasure. You can also visit the beautiful Braga Municipal Stadium, used for the 2004 European Football Championships held in Portugal. The stadium is on the northern part of the city and it is advised to take a cab.
Where to Stay
You can find some cheap pensions in Rua dos Chãos (near Avenida Central and not far from the bus station).
Money & Budget
The region offers a diverse natural landscape bearing the cultural influences of many centuries. This is reflected in the multiplicity of gastronomic specialities available from the regions kitchens; potato and cabbage broth, bread made from maize, roast pork, cod, octopus and trout, chicken rice "pica no chão" and duck rice, the kid (goat) and the baked heifer and local hams. Beware of ordering a full ration of roast chicken, although it tastes wonderful you will get a mountain of chicken and potatoes that may be enough for 3 to 4 persons. There are lots of cheap restaurants around the city. Particularly around the University Campus, on the eastern part of town. Nightlife in Braga may be quite monotonous sometimes.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Braga
Bom Jesus Do Monte, Braga, Portugal
Igreja de São Marcos (Igreja do Hospital), Braga
Landscaped gardens and historic architecture of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga
an aerial view of a city at night
Portugal, Braga, textile, textile, colors, women, kitchen towels, flag, old town, cathedral, summer
an aerial view of a city at night
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Santa Barbara
Panoramic View from Bom Jesus Sanctuary in Braga - Wide city view from the famous Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, with statues and stairways in the foreground.
Clear skies at Bom Jesus, Braga, Portugal
Bom Jesus Do Monte, Braga, Portugal
Igreja de São Marcos (Igreja do Hospital), Braga
Landscaped gardens and historic architecture of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga