Travel Photos and Travel

Braga is the oldest city in Portugal and is situated in the north of the country. The ancient city is famous for its numerous churches and cathedrals, including Bom Jesus do Monte chapel and its stairway leading up the hillside to the chapel itself.

Braga is a city to consider if you’re thinking of taking a road trip around Portugal, the city can act as nice little stopover for exploring some of Portugal’s other cities – including the coastal city of Porto, about an hour’s drive from Braga.

Indeed, the nearest major airport to Braga is Porto, which has direct and affordable flights from UK airports. From there you’ll have to take a train from Porto Sao Bento station in the city centre to Braga, which should take about an hour. Alternatively you can make use of car hire in Porto and drive to Braga in around 45 minutes, be advised that traffic around the city centre can get quite busy at times.

There are a number of hotels and apartments around Braga, starting from around £25 a night depending on star rating. There are also a number of spa hotels in the city, giving you the chance to relax and be pampered during your visit to the historical city.

One of the main tourist attractions in Braga is the Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount) chapel, which is located about 8km outside of the city centre and can be reached by bus or taxi. The chapel can be reached by ascending the 380 feet Baroque staircase to reach the picturesque chapel and its five fountains.

If you want to hire a car for your visit to Braga, be aware that the roads around the city can get busy at times. Whilst you can get around the city by taxi, some locations can be just as easily reached with a short walk. Your hotel should have a list of taxi companies available, just ask if you’re not sure, double check before making any travel plans, and keep a map of the local area to hand.

Braga Cathedral is another tourist draw in the city, thanks largely to its’ Gothic architecture and historical importance. The interior of the Se de Braga is influenced by a number of artistic styles throughout history, and you can find out more by visiting the Museum of Sacred Art, a collection of some of Braga’s most treasured works of art.
For sporting fans, SC Braga’s iconic Estadio Municipal de Braga stadium is unique in that it is built into the side of a quarry. Tours of the stadium are available for around €5 but are only available on certain days, so it’s best to check ahead of time if you want to visit this unusual stadium.

There are a wide selection of cafes and restaurants available all around the city serving traditional Portuguese cuisine and some of the finest local wines. There are also two main shopping centres in Braga, Braga Parque and the Braga Shopping centre, where you can take time out to shop for a bargain or grab a bite to eat.

After a busy day browsing the city, why not relax and have a coffee in one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Braga? The A Brasileira cafe on Av. Central has been serving coffee since 1907, so sample a taste of Brazil during your trip to this fascinating Portuguese city.