Braga, Portugal
Approximately 34 miles (55 km) north of Porto lies Portugal’s oldest city, Braga. Also known as one of the most religious places in Portugal, Braga is a city over 2,000 years old.
Arco da Porta Nova, Braga
Whether you travel by car or by high-speed train, Braga is about a 40 minute trip from Porto. Deciding whether to rent a car or not depends on your plans for Braga. There are many beautiful sites within walking distance of the Braga train station such as the Sé de Braga (the oldest cathedral in Portugal), the Praça da República & the Jardim de Santa Bárbara.
Sé de Braga
Jardim de Santa Bárbara
You could make a day of exploring the city by foot. Take in the beauty of the impressive architecture of the city while seeing an abundance of azulejos- Portugal’s famous tiles found on houses, buildings and streets.
Rua dom Diogo de Sousa, Braga
Rua do Souto, Braga
Raio Palace, Braga
A must see when visiting Braga is the Bom Jesus do Monte- a Catholic shrine with a grand Baroque staircase that is a Unesco World Heritage site. With an impressive 577 stairs, the view from the bottom of the sanctuary is just as impressive as a view from the top. Not up for a big stair climb? Take the world’s oldest water-powered funicular to the top! Getting to the Bom Jesus do Monte will require some planning since it is not walkable from the city of Braga. You can get there via bus, Uber/taxi or, of course, by rental car.
Bom Jesus do Monte
Interested in seeing Braga for your self? Let’s chat!
