City guide
Braga in 2 Days
Two days is the right amount of time for Braga: one for the old town and its churches, one for the hillside sanctuaries above the city, with time left for long lunches. This is the weekend we suggest to our own guests.
Day 1 morning: the cathedral and the old town
Start at the Sé, often called the oldest cathedral in Portugal, and give it an hour: the cloisters, chapels and treasury museum reward the time. From there, walk to the Jardim de Santa Bárbara beside the old Archbishop's Palace, then down Rua do Souto to the Arco da Porta Nova, the old city gate.
Stop for coffee and a pastry on the way. Braga's frigideiras, small puff pastries filled with meat, are the local snack.
Day 1 afternoon: Roman Braga and the Avenida
Braga was the Roman city of Bracara Augusta. The Museu D. Diogo de Sousa holds what was found under the modern city, and the ruins of the Roman baths on the Alto da Cividade are a short walk away. Then look up at the blue-tiled baroque facade of the Palácio do Raio before ending the day on the Avenida Central and Praça da República, where the city comes out in the evening.
Day 1 evening: dinner in the centre
The streets around the cathedral and the Praça Velha are full of tascas and restaurants. Order bacalhau à Braga, fried salt cod with onions and potatoes, and finish with pudim Abade de Priscos, a rich caramel pudding named after a local priest.
Day 2 morning: Bom Jesus do Monte
Go early to Bom Jesus do Monte, the hillside sanctuary that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Climb the baroque zigzag staircase on foot, or ride up on the water-powered funicular that has been running since 1882 and walk back down. City buses run from the centre to the foot of the hill.
If you have a car, continue up to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro for the widest view over Braga and the Minho.
Day 2 afternoon: pick one
Stay in the city and browse the Mercado Municipal and the shops around the centre. Or drive about half an hour to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal, for its castle and medieval centre. If you prefer history in the open air, the Iron Age hill town of Citânia de Briteiros is a short drive from Bom Jesus.
When to go
Braga is at its busiest during Holy Week, during Braga Romana in spring, when the city dresses up as Bracara Augusta, and for the São João festival in June. Book early for those dates, and check what is on during your stay.
Where to stay for the weekend
For this itinerary on foot, stay in the historic centre: our Largo do Paço apartment is next to the cathedral where day one begins. If you are driving to Bom Jesus and Guimarães, our apartment with free private parking east of the centre is the easier base.
Where to stay: our apartments
Coming up in and around Braga
Sep 17 – Oct 18
Epifanias e acolhimentos - manif d'art
Braga
Sep 18 – Oct 29
Encontros da Imagem — Biblioteca Lúcio Craveiro da Silva
Braga
Sep 18 – Oct 17
Encontros da Imagem — gnration
Braga
Oct 23 – Oct 25
Braga Noivos
Braga
Oct 29 – Oct 31
18ª Reunião Científica da Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Laboratorial
Braga
Nov 4 – Nov 6
33.º Encontro do Internato de Medicina Geral e Familiar da Zona Norte
Braga
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two days enough for Braga?
Yes. Two days covers the old town, the cathedral and Bom Jesus do Monte at an easy pace. Add a third day for Guimarães, Ponte de Lima or the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
How do I get to Bom Jesus do Monte without a car?
Take a city bus from the centre to the foot of the hill, then climb the staircase or take the funicular to the top.
What food should I try in Braga?
Bacalhau à Braga, frigideiras and pudim Abade de Priscos, with a glass of vinho verde from the Minho region.
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