Braga
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At a glance
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Minho
- Population
- 190,000
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO)
- Coordinates
- 41.55°N, 8.43°W
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Overview
Braga is one of Portugal's oldest cities, founded by the Romans and for centuries the seat of the country's archbishops. Churches seem to stand on every corner, and its Holy Week processions are the most famous in Portugal.
Yet it is also a young city, thanks to its university, with a lively café culture in the pedestrian centre. It makes an easy day trip from Porto, but staying a night or two lets you explore the Minho countryside too.
Things to see
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Photo: Botafogo, Public domain Bom Jesus do Monte
A baroque sanctuary on a wooded hill, reached by a zigzag granite stairway or a water-powered funicular.
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Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 Braga Cathedral
The oldest cathedral in Portugal, a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and baroque with a rich treasury.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Otto Domes, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sanctuary of Sameiro
A large Marian shrine higher up the hill from Bom Jesus, with wide views over the city.
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Photo: FlyingCrimsonPig, CC BY 2.0 Santa Bárbara Garden
A neat formal garden of clipped hedges and flowers beside the medieval walls of the archbishop's palace.
Things to do
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Photo: Otto Domes, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Guimarães
The birthplace of Portugal, with a hilltop castle and a beautiful medieval centre, about 30 minutes away.
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Photo: manjerix, CC BY-SA 2.0 Hike in Peneda-Gerês
Portugal's only national park has granite peaks, waterfalls and stone villages within an hour's drive.
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Photo: Joseolgon, CC BY 4.0 Holy Week processions
Easter week brings torchlit night processions and churches draped in purple.
Where to stay
Historic centre
Walkable, full of cafés and close to the cathedral and main squares.
Hotels in Historic centreBom Jesus
Hotels on the wooded hill above town, peaceful and scenic but a bus ride from the centre.
Hotels in Bom Jesus
Getting around
The centre is compact and mostly pedestrianised. Local buses run up to Bom Jesus.
Trains from Porto take about an hour, and direct buses run from Porto airport in under an hour.
When to go
Late spring and summer are warm and pleasant, and the São João festival in late June is one of the liveliest in the country. Holy Week draws big crowds. The Minho is green for a reason, so expect plenty of rain in winter.
Plan your trip to Braga
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.