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    Braga

    Portugal

    Braga

    CityCulture

    Braga, one of Portugal's oldest, an archiepiscopal see since the Middle Ages. With the country's oldest cathedral and many churches and monasteries, Braga is dubbed "Portuguese Rome.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Portugal
    7. Norte (Northern Portugal)
    9. Braga
    Braga, one of Portugal's oldest, an archiepiscopal see since the Middle Ages. With the country's oldest cathedral and many churches and monasteries, Braga is dubbed "Portuguese Rome." Most famous: the Bom Jesus do Monte pilgrimage sanctuary, east of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019. At the same time, Braga is a university city, full of young people and a vibrant center.

    Sights in Braga

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bom Jesus do Monte

    1Bom Jesus do Monte

    Pilgrimage church on a hill east of Braga, 2019 UNESCO World Heritage. A Baroque zigzag staircase with chapels and allegorical five-senses fountains ascends. Alternatively, the 1882 water funicular. At the top, a park and panoramic city views.
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    Sanctuary of Sameiro

    2Sanctuary of Sameiro

    Large Marian sanctuary on a hill above Bom Jesus, begun in the 19th century. From the stairs in front of the church, the view stretches over Braga and the green Minho. Easily combined with Bom Jesus.
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    Praça da República and Avenida Central

    3Praça da República and Avenida Central

    Braga's central square with a fountain and the traditional Café Vianna under the arcades. From here, Avenida Central stretches eastward as a long green area, a popular meeting point in the evening.
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    Basílica dos Congregados

    4Basílica dos Congregados

    Baroque church on Avenida Central with a twin-tower facade, whose construction spanned over two centuries. Just a few steps from Praça da República.
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    Sé de Braga

    5Sé de Braga

    The Cathedral is considered Portugal's oldest, built from the 11th century and later extended in Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque styles. In the Capela dos Reis lie Henry of Burgundy and Teresa, the parents of the first Portuguese king. The Cathedral also features a museum with its church treasury.
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    City walks in Braga

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Bragas barocke Seele: Ein Spaziergang durch Geschichte und Charme

    Entdecken Sie auf diesem angenehmen Rundgang die Seele Bragas, einer der ältesten Städte Portugals. Tauchen Sie ein in die reiche Geschichte, bestaunen Sie beeindruckende Barockarchitektur und genießen Sie die lebendige Atmosphäre der "Stadt der Erzbischöfe". Dieser Spaziergang führt Sie zu den wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten und charmantesten Ecken des historischen Zentrums.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (8)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Retrokitchen

    Restaurant in R. do Anjo 96.
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    2

    O Jacó

    Restaurant in Praceta Padre Diamantino Martins 20.
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    3

    Bira dos Namorados - Hambúrgueres | Pregos | Poke Bowls

    Restaurant in R. Dom Gonçalo Pereira 58.
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    4

    Dona Petisca

    Restaurant in R. Dom Paio Mendes 59.
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    Eating and Drinking in Braga

    Braga's **gastronomy** offers a rich selection of traditional Minho dishes and modern interpretations. Here you'll find classic specialties like Bacalhau à Braga at eateries like O Jacó, but also casual concepts with burgers and regional snacks, such as at Bira dos Namorados.

    Bacalhau à Braga

    Pan-fried Stockfish with onions and deep-fried potato slices.

    Rojões à Minhota

    Braised pork cubes, a well-known specialty of the Minho region

    Vinho Verde

    Young, light wine from Minho, white, rosé or red.

    Culture and History

    The Romans founded the city around 16 BC as Bracara Augusta; later it was the capital of the Suebic Kingdom. As an episcopal see, the church shaped Braga for centuries, with many Baroque buildings constructed in the 18th century under the archbishops.Holy Week is celebrated with nocturnal processions and is among the most famous in Portugal. In June, the city boisterously celebrates the São João festival with music, parades, and food stalls.

    On the Road in Braga

    Explore the city center on foot. TUB city buses also go up to Bom Jesus, where you can ascend to the church by the 1882 water-powered funicular or via the stairs. The train station is west of the old town, trains to Porto run regularly. There are buses to Guimarães, but by train you need to change.

    Accommodations in Braga

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    Campgrounds in Braga

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    Plan your trip to Braga

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      • 1Bom Jesus do Monte3 days
      • 2Sanctuary of Sameiro4 days
      • 3Praça da República and Avenida Central5 days
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    Nearby

    Guimarães

    Guimarães

    Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal: Here, in the 12th century, Afonso Henriques began his journey to become the country's first king. Therefore, the inscription 'Aqui nasceu Portugal' stands on the old city wall. Its well-preserved old town, with granite houses, wooden balconies, and small squares, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. Above it lie the castle and the Ducal Palace.
    Viana do Castelo

    Viana do Castelo

    Viana do Castelo lies at the mouth of the Lima into the Atlantic, some 70 kilometers north of Porto. The old town around Praça da República features Renaissance and Baroque facades, with the Santa Luzia Basilica perched above on the eponymous mountain. Viana is known for gold filigree jewelry, embroidered traditional costumes and the August Romaria d'Agonia festival. Cabedelo surf and kite beach lies opposite on the south bank.
    Peneda-Gerês Nationalpark

    Peneda-Gerês Nationalpark

    The Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês was founded in 1971 and is Portugal's only national park. It is located in the far north on the border with Galicia and encompasses the Peneda, Soajo, Amarela, and Gerês mountain ranges. You'll find granite mountains, oak forests, reservoirs, waterfalls, and mountain villages with stone granaries. The park is home to wolves, semi-wild Garrano horses, and longhorn cattle.
    Norte (Northern Portugal)

    Norte (Northern Portugal)

    Northern Portugal stretches from the Atlantic coast to the mountains along the Spanish border. Porto is its hub, alongside the ancient episcopal and royal cities of Braga and Guimarães, the coastal city of Viana do Castelo, and Peneda-Gerês National Park. It is greener, rainier and more rural than the South.
    Porto

    Porto

    Porto is Portugal's second-largest city, on the steep banks of the Douro shortly before its mouth. Porto's Old Town, its Ribeira district, the Ponte Dom Luís I, and Serra do Pilar Monastery are UNESCO World Heritage since 1996. Opposite in Vila Nova de Gaia, Port wine houses store their wine. Plan time for the hills: Many paths lead steeply uphill.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI