Braga Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Bom Jesus do Monte showing a park and château or palace
Against a scenic backdrop of mossy mountains, explore museums and churches in a charming city dedicated to religion and antiquity.

Historic architecture and majestic churches make up the charming city of Braga. This third-largest city in Portugal is famous for its religious relics, museums and prosperous soccer team. It’s one of the fastest-growing urban areas in Europe. The city is nestled in a valley between green hills and mountains. Relax in Braga’s Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers.

Make a trip to the Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount) sanctuary north of the city. Climb the baroque stairway that meanders around small walls leading up to the church. Although religious structures on the hilltop date back to the 1300s, the current version of the sanctuary was built in the 18th century. Enjoy extraordinary views of Braga from the church.

Visit the Braga Cathedral, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Portugal, dating back to the third century. Admire its striking 15th-century gothic façade and take a tour of the elegant interior. See the São Frutuoso Chapel, an iconic seventh-century monument.

Explore the D. Diogo de Sousa Museum, which was founded in 1918. Its antiques and remnants from Braga come from the prehistoric era through to the Roman occupancy of the city. Look for the Museu dos Biscainhos in the palace of the same name. It is decorated with elegant features and works of art. Inspect the paintings and murals in the palace. You’ll find many remnants collected over the centuries in the site, such as antique furniture, porcelain and clocks.

Stroll through the Garden of Santa Barbara with perfectly trimmed hedges and colorful flower arrangements. Here you’ll see historic artifacts and a view of the Archbishop’s Palace from the garden.

Braga has many transportation links with Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto, due to its proximity along the Atlantic coast. Braga is an ideal spot to learn about the country’s rich history entwined with religion and Roman rule.

Where to stay in Braga

Braga Cathedral showing street scenes

Old Town Braga

5/5(3 area reviews)

Old Town Braga is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Braga Cathedral and Santa Barbara Garden.

Old Town Braga
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Misericórdia

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Misericórdia and surrounding area, you can visit Arco da Porta Nova and Braga Cathedral.

Misericórdia
ibis budget Braga Centro
ibis budget Braga Centro
2 out of 5
Avenida da Liberdade, 96, Braga
The price is AU$58 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
AU$58
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Braga. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (469 reviews)
"Great location, good option for only few days. Very Clean, excellent customer service !"

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

ibis budget Braga Centro
Vila Galé Collection Braga
Vila Galé Collection Braga
4 out of 5
Largo Carlos Amarante 4, Braga
The price is AU$213 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$213
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Braga. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (415 reviews)
Very big property in the middle of the old town
"Good location. It is a surprise that their property is so big with easy parking. Indoor and out door swimming pools. The spa is very nice and good price. Breakfast is at average. The restaurant is good. Our room is old and has bad smell. They should do renovation to the old rooms."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2024

Vila Galé Collection Braga
Melia Braga Hotel & Spa
Melia Braga Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Av. General Carrilho da Silva Pinto, 8, Tenoes, Braga
The price is AU$207 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$207
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Braga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Bom Jesus do Monte and Sete Fontes are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (365 reviews)
"We love the convenience of this property. Needs maintenance (bathtub spout fell off, shower door wouldn’t go on track air conditioning was not working properly) and deep cleaning. Otherwise, pool, buffet and experience is good."

Reviewed on 23 Aug. 2023

Melia Braga Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Braga Heritage Lofts
Braga Heritage Lofts
3 out of 5
Rua Eça de Queirós 98, Braga, Braga
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Braga. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Antigo Paço Episcopal & Around and Santa ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)
"Excellent location for this tiny historical city center."

Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2024

Braga Heritage Lofts
Signature Apartments Os Terceiros
Signature Apartments Os Terceiros
4 out of 5
Largo São Francisco Braga, Braga
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Braga. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and conference space. Popular attractions Praça da República and BragaShopping are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (62 reviews)
Great for the price location
"Location was great, right in the heart of historic Braga. No view or anything particularly special about the property itself but the economy and location were good."

Reviewed on 16 Mar. 2024

Signature Apartments Os Terceiros
Casa da Bica - rustic house next to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus
Casa da Bica - rustic house next to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus
Braga
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Braga. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Bom Jesus do Monte and Sameiro Sanctuary are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (15 reviews)
Lovely villa
"Lovely spacious villa with plenty of room for 10-12 people, and lots of dining and sitting space inside, and outdoor space. It was very warm during our stay, and as the villa doesn't have air conditioning it did get warm inside. Some more fans would be useful, as opening windows does increase outside ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2023

Casa da Bica - rustic house next to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Braga

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
0
" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Aug 2019

Amazing city !!! A must see

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 May 2019

The Braga Romanus annual Roman festival is incredible- the old part of town is transformed with stalls, stages, displays and food into a whole Roman experience. In 2019 it was May 22-26 so assume late May each year.