Top 15 Must-Experience Attractions in Braga, Portugal

Braga, one of the oldest cities in Portugal, served as a significant religious center since the 4th century, evidenced by its enduring archdiocese. A visit to the cathedral is essential, alongside several historical churches, chapels, and monasteries in the vicinity.

The majestic Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary can be accessed via a beautiful Baroque staircase adorned with allegorical sculptures or by taking a 19th-century funicular. It is also worthwhile to admire the splendid old mansions scattered throughout the city, embellished with azulejos, which reflect the aristocratic lifestyle that once flourished in Braga.

Let us explore the notable attractions in Braga:

1. Bom Jesus do Monte

This sanctuary is the most frequented tourist site, situated on a hill to the east.

As a pilgrimage destination, it has drawn religious devotees since at least the 14th century.

One must exhibit determination to ascend the staircase, which rises over 100 meters and consists of 640 steps.

The zigzagging stairs are embellished with Baroque sculptures that inspire climbers.

Be attentive to the fountains along the ascent, each representing one of the five senses.

Your destination is a Neoclassical church, completed in 1834; however, the real attraction lies in the journey itself and the breathtaking views of Braga once at the summit.

2. Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular

Alternatively, visitors may opt for the funicular, which travels up and down the hill.

This system was installed in the early 1880s, designed by the Swiss engineer Nikolaus Riggenbach.

Prior to its establishment, horse-drawn railcars were utilized to transport individuals up the incline.

This innovative system is the oldest funicular in existence that employs water counterbalancing.

Both cars operate simultaneously, traveling in opposing directions; the descending car is filled with water, providing the necessary weight to elevate the lighter car.

3. Braga Cathedral

For students of architecture, the cathedral encapsulates elements from various architectural movements.

This structure has undergone numerous modifications, incorporating Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque influences.

The Romanesque triple nave remains distinguishable, but the two Baroque organs from 1737 and 1739, adorned with lavish gilded wood, capture immediate attention.

Seek out the baptismal font, featuring a Manueline design, and marvel at the exquisite 15th-century recumbent tomb of Afonso, son of King John I, constructed from wood overlaid with gold and silver-plated copper.

4. Praça da República

This plaza, locally known as “Arcada,” is situated in the heart of historic Braga. The name references the 18th-century arcaded building located on the western side of the square.

The square itself was established in the 1800s and is expansive and elegantly walled by towering apartment buildings.

Starting your exploration of Braga from this point is advisable, not only because the tourist office is located here but also due to the wealth of attractions surrounding the square, which includes the Igreja da Lapa and a charming fountain, as well as the streets radiating outward.

During the day, it is a pleasant spot to find respite from the sun while enjoying a refreshing beverage, while in the evening it provides an ideal backdrop for dining in a refined atmosphere.

5. Garden of Santa Barbara

This elegant formal garden is adjacent to Braga’s medieval episcopal palace and bordered by the palace’s stunning northern walls, characterized by traditional pointed merlons.

The garden features strict geometric lines, manicured boxwood hedges, and topiaries, creating an orderly aesthetic.

During the summer months, the interior bursts with vibrant flowers, attracting an array of birds.

Approaching the palace reveals remnants of a Gothic arcade outlining the patio, where fragments of sculptures and coats of arms are visible in the stonework along the walls.

6. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro

Located just south of Bom Jesus do Monte, this sanctuary rests at an elevation of 566 meters above sea level.

Although this site is among the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Portugal, it maintains a relatively serene atmosphere compared to its northern counterpart.

The church, constructed in the 1860s, features a significant Marian shrine, which attracts numerous visitors every Sunday between June 1 and August 31. For everyone else, the focus lies on the stunning panoramic view.

An expansive terrace provides a perfect area for reflection while overlooking the Cávado countryside and the distant city of Braga to the northwest.

If you’ve hiked up the hill, you will certainly appreciate your time spent admiring the view.

7. Biscainhos Museum

This house museum, situated in a splendid 17th and 18th-century aristocratic palace, features exquisite gardens.

It serves as a window into the lives of Portugal’s nobility, showcasing a wealth of refined decorations within.

Visitors can admire magnificent azulejos (Iberian painted tiles) and masterfully crafted stucco moldings, along with collections of glassware, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and musical instruments.

The one-hectare grounds are adorned with fountains and sculptures, landscaped in 1750, and include an orchard area organized in a parterre and a formal garden characterized by labyrinthine boxwood sculptures.

These gardens are regarded as among the finest from the 18th century in Portugal.

8. Raio Palace

Situated in the center of Braga, this extraordinary palace, built in the 1750s, was commissioned by João Duarte de Faria, a prosperous merchant and knight of the Order of Christ.

The exterior is striking, with walls clad in blue azulejos that contrast beautifully with the elegant granite carvings adorning the doorways and window frames.

Those who have visited Barcelona might notice a resemblance between the facade of this building and the exaggerated, organic forms often seen in Gaudí’s work.

Adjacent to Braga’s hospital, the palace houses a free museum featuring antique medical artifacts and insightful information about the building’s historical significance and recent restoration efforts.

9. Chapel of São Frutuoso

This ancient chapel, partly concealed in the Real area, is of significant historical value.

Originally founded by the Visigoths in the 7th century, it features a Pre-Romanesque design.

Following damage incurred during the Islamic era, the structure was restored in the 9th and 10th centuries, yet its Greek cross layout has endured since its inception.

During the 18th century, the chapel was integrated into a Baroque church, and access is available from the right side of the nave.

Inside, visitors will observe triple horseshoe arches, while the exterior showcases blind arcades and a portico with a pediment that once served as the main entrance before its integration into the church.

10. S. C. Braga

The local football team competes in the Primeira Liga.

Generally, they are ranked as the next strongest team in the division after the renowned Big Three: Porto, Benfica, and Sporting Lisbon.

Braga participates in the Europa League nearly every season, showcasing a high level of competition.

Your primary reason for visiting may indeed be to admire the stunning Estádio Municipal, which is architecturally embedded in a former quarry.

This stadium, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Eduardo Souto de Moura, was constructed for Euro 2004 when Portugal hosted the tournament.

While it accommodates 30,000 spectators, the design features seating only on the sidelines, leaving a massive granite wall along the southeast touchline.

11. Arco da Porta Nova

This triumphal arch, located at the eastern entrance to the historic center of Braga, is truly remarkable.

Crafted by the local sculptor André Soares in the mid-18th century, he is frequently referenced in the city due to his contributions to various fountains and sculptures.

This arch served to replace an older gateway and presents contrasting characters depending on the approach. The east side is subdued, featuring a niche with a representation of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, whereas the west side is much more pronounced, showcasing a stone coat of arms and pyramidal pinnacles above a Baroque arch.

12. Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães

Located just moments from Braga to the west, this Benedictine monastery is richly decorated beyond expectation.

This richness stems from its status as the mother house for the Benedictine order in Brazil between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The opulence is evident in the Mannerist, Baroque, and Rococo designs evident in the church and cloister.

Notably, the gilded altarpiece and the intricately detailed woodwork on the triumphal arch along the nave should not be missed.

13. Misericórdia Church

This church, adjoining the cathedral complex, is one of the few Renaissance structures in Braga.

Constructed in the early 1560s during the tenure of Bishop Bartholomew of Braga, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001, it features facades in the Mannerist style. A subsequent Baroque renovation in the 17th century adorned the interior with gold embellishments.

The reredos, or altar decoration, presents an astonishingly ornate design replete with paintings and gilded detail from the floor to the ceiling.

14. Festa de São João

The evening of June 23 is arguably the most vibrant and festive night of the year in Braga.

This date marks São João, a celebration of the birth of St. John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint. The city dedicates approximately two weeks to prepare, adorning the parade route along Avenida da Liberdade, leading to Parque da Ponte.

Throughout the day, percussion bands and traditional musicians perform with accordions, while parades showcase traditional Minho attire.

As night falls, crowds return to the streets, playfully striking each other with garlic (a traditional practice) or toy plastic hammers that emit a squeaking noise.

Local restaurants feature caldo verde, a typical vegetable broth, along with grilled sardines on this celebratory night.

15. Vinho Verde

The prominent regional beverage in the Minho region is vinho verde, which translates to “green wine.” This terminology does not refer to the color of the drink, but rather to its youthful nature, as it is best enjoyed soon after bottling.

This wine is typically crisp and light, often characterized by a slight effervescence.

Historically, this effervescence resulted from secondary fermentation within the bottle, but current methods predominantly entail carbonation.

The region produces reds and rosés, although the white variety, primarily made from the albariño grape, is the most prevalent.

This refreshing vinho verde pairs exquisitely with bacalhau à Braga, a dish featuring deep-fried cod accompanied by sautéed potatoes, fried onions, and a medley of pickles including carrots, cauliflower, and olives.