Braga
Braga, located 54 kilometres (33 miles) northeast of Porto, is Portugal's fifth most populated city. It's considered the religious centre of the country and has become a modern student city.
Located in the extreme north of Portugal, Braga is one of the oldest cities in the country. With only about 200,000 inhabitants, it specifically stands out for its past linked to religion, which can be seen throughout the city's historic centre. However, the two universities that run through its streets have made Braga a modern, vibrant and young city due to the large number of students that live there.
What to See in Braga
Braga Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Portugal. It's the city's main tourist attraction and a must-see if you visit the capital of Minho. Founded in the 12th century and of Romanesque origin, over the years it incorporated Gothic, Manueline and Baroque elements. Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king, is buried in one of its chapels, together with his parents Henry of Burgundy and Teresa of León. You can also visit the Cathedral's Treasure Museum, which houses the cross from the first Catholic mass held in Brazil in the 16th century.
The historic centre of Braga hides other emblematic monuments such as the Palacio do Raio or Casa do Mexicano, built by André Soares in the mid-18th century. It's an impressive building of palatial civil architecture that attracts with its façade decorated with blue and white tiles and large windows adorned with stone. It's currently the headquarters of the Santa Casa do Misericordia de Braga.
About 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) outside the city is the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This sanctuary is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Portugal and is remarkable for its monumental baroque staircase. It can be reached by car or by taking advantage of this Tuk Tuk tour of Braga.
Other major attractions in Braga include the Renaissance-style Republic Square, which combines the historical part of the city with the modern era, the Arco da Porta Nova, the old Episcopal Palace and the Garden of Santa Barbara, and the city's major museums, such as the Biscainhos Museum and the Archaeological Museum.
You can learn about the city's Roman origins and religious traditions along with all these must-see places while taking a private tour of Braga.
How to Get to Braga
The third most important city in Portugal after Porto and Lisbon is an attraction for many visitors who want to get to know its charm. Getting to Braga is very easy and there are several ways to get there:
Day trip
If you're in Porto and you want to take a day to get a change of scenery, the best option is to book a day trip to Braga to discover the culture, cuisine and natural beauty of the north of Portugal. With this activity, you'll be able to discover the charm of this city and its great monuments as well as head to Guimarães.
Train
The train is an excellent way to get around Portugal. Braga can be easily reached from Porto (about 1 hour and 15 minutes on average) by taking the train from Sao Bento station. They depart daily every 30 minutes and cost just over € 3 (US$ 3.20). There's also the possibility of buying a ticket for the Intercidades trains which take less than an hour at a minimum cost of € 14 (US$ 14.80).
