Braga

Braga is located in northern Portugal, about 50 km from Porto and 80 km from the Spanish border (Galicia Region). It is the third largest city in the country (after Lisbon and Porto) and the youngest district in Portugal. It was the city elected as the best European destination in 2021. The historic centre is full of restaurants with good Portuguese food and also some international restaurants.

It is a city full of Baroque churches and historic buildings. It was called "Bracara Augusta" by the Romans and was, at the time, the largest city in the north of the Portuguese territory. Therefore, it is now a city full of monuments and Roman remains, but also a city full of Baroque architecture. Besides the magnificent historical centre, the city is also appreciated for its sanctuaries, being the Sanctuary of "Bom Jesus" classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Places to visit in

Braga

1. Praça da República and Central Avenue

The Praça da República is located in the historic centre. It was built at the end of the Middle Ages and is a good place to take a walk and observe the movement of the city centre. Republic Square is also the site of the Convent and Basilica of the Congregates, which can be visited free of charge.

4. Braga Cathedral and Museum

In the heart of the city Portugal's church, the Sé Cathedral. It is worth seeing the baroque architecture as well as its baroque pipe organs inside. Attached to the Cetedral there is the museum and other small chapels which are included in the museum visit. The church was built in 1070 and it is in one of these small chapels that D. Henrique and Dona Teresa, parents of the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, are buried.

9. Santuário do Bom Jesus

Outside the historic centre, on top of a hill with a unique view of the city, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte has one of the most beautiful sunsets in Portugal. As if that wasn't enough, it is the second largest religious tourism destination in the country, second only to the city of Fátima. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can go up by lift and down its magnificent 670-step staircase (or vice versa) to the top of the hill and in front of the church. Along the staircase, in the multiple chapels, is the history of Christianity in sculptures.

How to get There?

✈️ Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is located 50km northwest of the centre.

🚍 Get Bus from the airport: 9 euros (about 45 minutes trip, stop in front of the airport to Braga central bus station)

🚈 Train for Porto: 3,25 euros (60 minutes trip).

🚖 Taxi: about 70 euros (about 40 minutes travel)

Our Courses in

Braga

21st Century Skills through Board Games