Braga, Portugal: travel guide
Baroque churches and a monumental stairway in northern Portugal
One of Portugal's oldest cities, a religious centre known for the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary and baroque churches.
About Braga
Braga is an old religious city in the green Minho region of northern Portugal, with a long Roman and medieval past and a skyline of church towers. It feels lived-in and local, with lively cafés and gardens in the centre.
The Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, with its zigzag baroque stairway climbing a wooded hill, is the signature sight and can be reached on foot or by the old water-balanced funicular. In the centre, the Sé cathedral, the Raio Palace, the Arco da Porta Nova and the Jardim de Santa Bárbara make an easy walking route.
Braga suits culture lovers and travellers combining Porto with the north. Spring and early autumn bring the most comfortable weather.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Nearest airport
- OPO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Braga
Bom Jesus do Monte
Church · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO sanctuary above Braga famous for its monumental zigzag baroque staircase and funicular.
Braga Cathedral (Sé)
Church · about 1 h · entry €3 (≈ ₹320)
Portugal's oldest cathedral (11th c.), a blend of Romanesque, Gothic and baroque with a treasury museum.
Jardim de Santa Bárbara
Nature · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Formal 17th-century garden of clipped hedges and flowers beside the medieval bishop's palace.
Arco da Porta Nova
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Baroque-neoclassical triumphal arch marking the historic western gate of the city.
Santuário do Sameiro
Church · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop Marian sanctuary with a grand basilica and wide views over the Minho.
Raio Palace
Heritage · about 0.7 h · entry €2 (≈ ₹210)
Rococo townhouse (c.1755) with a striking blue-azulejo façade, now a museum.
Things to do
- Bom Jesus Funicular & Sanctuary Tour Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 15 per person
- Braga Historic Centre Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 18 per person
- Guimarães Day Trip from Braga Day Trip · 5 h · from EUR 55 per person
Day trips and tours
- Braga & Bom Jesus Half-Day 4 h · from EUR 30
Where to stay in Braga
- Braga Historic Centre about EUR 90 per night
Compact centre around the cathedral, ideal for walking.
Hotels
- Vila Galé Collection Braga 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 230 per night
- Collector's Hostel Braga 2-star · EUR 20 to EUR 65 per night
- Hotel do Templo 3-star · EUR 70 to EUR 140 per night
Where to eat
- Cozinha da Sé Portuguese, Minho · about EUR 26 per person
- Félix Taberna Portuguese, Tapas · about EUR 18 per person
- Frigideiras do Cantinho Café, Bakery · about EUR 9 per person
Getting to Braga
Nearest airport: Porto (OPO), about 39 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Walking
More in Portugal
Frequently asked questions about Braga
- What are the main places to visit in Braga?
- Places covered in our Braga guide include Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga Cathedral (Sé), Jardim de Santa Bárbara, Arco da Porta Nova, Santuário do Sameiro.
- Where should I stay in Braga?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Braga: Braga Historic Centre.
- How do I get around Braga?
- Ways to get around Braga covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Braga?
- The nearest airport to Braga has the code OPO.