Discover Braga, Portugal: Plan the Perfect Day Trip from Porto
Braga is a city in the far north of Portugal, northeast of Porto. It’s known for its religious heritage and events. To the east, Bom Jesus do Monte complex has a neoclassical church atop an elaborate 17-flight stairway. In the city center, medieval Braga Cathedral is home to a sacred art museum and the Gothic-style Kings' Chapel. Nearby, the imposing Archbishop’s Palace overlooks Santa Barbara Garden
I had been wanting to go to Braga for years, but since I spend the majority of my time in Portugal in Lisbon, it was a bit of a trek for a day trip.
I finally got the opportunity to go when I spent a couple of weeks in Porto. I was a bit pressed for time, so made a quick day trip of it and planned very little but still managed to do a lot in my abbreviated visit.
Here are all the thing I did and saw, some recommendations, and overall information for planning your perfect day in Braga.
What You Will Find Here:
How to Get to Braga From Porto
Braga is a short trip from Porto by car, train or bus. I opted for the bus, as it was most budget friendly last-minute option, but here is a breakdown of all your options:
🚗By Car
Braga is just under an hour drive from Porto, with the quickest route being A3. This route will include tolls totally 7€
🅿️Parking Options
Parking Parque São Lázaro: A well-divided, easily accessible car park in the city center
Altice Forum Braga: A free car park with 620 spaces for customers and visitors
P1 Ponte Park: A public car park with 80 spaces
P3 Picoto Foothills: A public car park with 250 spaces
P5 Picoto Park: A public car park with 110 spaces
P2 May 1st Stadium: A public car park with 100 spaces
P4 Hunters Club Ground: A public car park with 60 spaces
🚄Comboios de Portugal (CP) trains run from Porto Campanha station every 30 minutes and takes from 38 minutes to 1hr 10 minutes, depending on service selected. Advanced tickets cost as little as 3,55€ one way but can increase to 23€+ depending on demand.
It is recommended to book tickets in advance due to fluctuating cost and availability, however; available tickets can be purchased on-site day of travel.
For schedule and advance tickets, click here
🚌The bus is also an affordable and efficient option. I opted to take FlixBus from Porto Campanha station and Rede Expressos back, as that fit my schedule better. I had slight delays on either end, but an otherwise seamless journey and half empty buses on both ends.
The ride takes less than an hour and is direct between cities with tickets averaging 7€ each way (and as little as 3€ when purchased in advance).
The two mains bus providers are FlixBus and RedeExpressos
Getting Around Braga
🚌By Bus
The majority of Braga is quite walkable, but if you want to venture a bit further out, or to Bom Jesus, without a car the bus system in Braga is great. I found the bus quite easy to navigate (with a little help from google maps) and an affordable way to get around.
Zonal tickets
Fares are €1.55 or €2.00, depending on how many zones you travel through. These tickets are valid for one hour from the time you first use them.
Bus fare can be paid in cash or by pre-purchased ticket.
Tourist tickets
Tourist tickets are available for 1, 2, or 3 days and offer discounted travel on all city bus routes. The one-day tourist pass costs €3.35.
🚕Txi/Uber/Bolt
Taxis and ride share services Uber and Bolt are readily available, and quite affordable, in Braga.
If taking a taxi, be sure the meter is on, or a fare is established prior to starting your ride.
Generally, Uber ad Bolt offer better rates than local taxis.
🚗Driving
There is plenty of parking in the city (see above) but lots can get full and there is only one free parking lot, so it is recommended to secure parking and walk or take transit through the city.
Bom Jesus do Monte has parking for visitors as it is located a bit outside the city center.
Braga Top Attractions
Braga is absolutely packed with stunning architecture, historical sites, beautiful cathedrals and churches and even fairy tale-like gardens.
You will not be lacking things to do in this historical and cultural Portuguese city.
Bom Jesus do Monte
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is a Portuguese Catholic shrine in Tenões, outside the city of Braga, in northern Portugal. Its name means Good Jesus of the Mount. This sanctuary is a notable example of Christian pilgrimage site with a monumental, Baroque stairway that climbs 116 meters.
🗺️Estrada do Bom Jesus, 4715-056 Tenões, Portugal
🕰️Daily 10a-7pm
💶Free
One of the most famed sites in Braga, Bom Jesus do Monte is certainly a sight to behold, and also offers stunning views of the city.
To get those views, and to see Bom Jesus do Monte, you need to venture outside the city center a bit. This is easily done by public bus, or by taxi, Uber or Bolt which will take about 15 minutes.
I opted to take the bus which took about 30 minutes and cost 2€ each way. From the city center, the 12 or 88 buses will take you to the base of Bom Jesus do Monte where you can walk up to the site or take the funicular to the top.
🚶➡️The zigzagging stairways to reach the site consists of 577 steps. There are breathtaking views to take in on the ascent and it is quite remarkable as the site itself comes into view.
🚋The other, less strenuous option to get to the top is to take the funicular.
In 1882, the water-powered Bom Jesus funicular was built to provide easier access to the top of the hill. It was the first funicular built in the Iberian Peninsula.
A one way ticket costs 1.50€ and a roundtrip costs 2.50€.
🅿️There is a free parking lot at the base of the site, which will require walking up a pretty significant hill prior to starting the ascent up the stairs or boarding the funicular - this is also where the bus stop is.
There is a paid parking lot at the top, at the site.
Santa Barbara Garden
These small but attractive public gardens are located adjacent to the eastern wing of the 14th century Archbishop's Palace. The garden takes advantage of the historic backdrop and also incorporates the medieval arches that remain of an arcade from the palace. Laid out in the 1950s the garden was designed by Jose Cardoso da Silva in the Romantic style, in keeping with its surroundings.
🗺️Rua da Doutor Justino Cruz, Braga 4700-317
📅Open all year
💶Free
Pretty centrally located in Baga, the Santa Barbara Garden is a beautiful little oasis set against a stunning historic backdrop. It is well worth taking a walk through, and a striking place to take some photos.
Episcopal Palace
The Archiepiscopal Palace of Braga, is a Portuguese episcopal palace in civil parish of Braga, in the municipality of the same name, in the northern district of Braga.
🗺️Praça Mun., 4820-142 Braga, Portugal
🕰️Sat-Sun closed, Mon-Fri 9a–12:30p, 2–7:30 p
Set between the Santa Barbara garden and Praça do Municipio is this former residence of the archbishops of Braga, which now houses the public library and archives.
Due to time restraint, I opted not to visit the inside of the Archbishop's Palace, but the reviews suggest it is well worth visiting as part of a tour, or in addition to visiting the public library and archives.
If you are also tight in time, the outside is impressive enough (in my opinion), especially as the backdrop to the Santa Barbara Garden.
Santa Maria de Braga Cathedral
The Cathedral of Braga is a Roman Catholic church in the northern city of Braga, Portugal. Due to its long history and artistic significance, it is also one of the most important buildings in the country. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Braga and of the Primate Archbishop of Portugal and Spain.
🗺️R. Dom Paio Mendes, 4700-424 Braga, Portugal
🕰️Daily 9:30 a–12:30 p, 2:30–5:30p
💶€2
I have been in many, many cathedrals throughout Portugal, and the Braga Cathedral was one of the most beautiful I have seen. The ornate detail, architecture, art and one of a kind organ had me in awe at every turn.
Arco da Porta Nova
🗺️ R. Dom Diogo de Sousa 127, 4700-424 Braga, Portugal
While it may not be an attraction worth seeking out on it’s own, Arco da Porta Nova is worth detouring to when visiting the city center. Centrally located, and a gateway to some of Braga’s busiest pedestrian streets is this iconic pedestrian entrance arch made of stone, with baroque & neoclassical details.
Palácio do Raio - Interpretive Center Memories of the Mercy of Braga
The Palace of Raio is a Baroque era residence in the urbanized area of the municipality of Braga, in the civil parish of São José de São Lázaro. It is an example of the late Baroque, early Rococo style of decoration by Portuguese architect André Soares, notable for his influence in the northern Baroque movement
🗺️Braga Norte 920, 4700-327 Braga, Portugal
🕰️Tues-Sunday 10 a–1 p, 2:30p–6:30 p, Mon - closed
Unfortunately, I didn’t time my arrival well and wasn’t able to visit the inside of the interpretive center but the facade alone was beyond impressive and showcased the history and beauty of this stunning once-palace.
For those looking to visit the interior (from the Braga City website):
The visit starts with the evocation of two of the biggest symbols of Braga’s architecture: André Soares e Carlos Amarante. The visitor is invited to know the story of the Sisterhood and of the Mercy of Braga, with the focus on the role played in the assistance and support to the neediest. And because talking about the Mercy is like talking about the Hospital of S. Marcos, founded in 1508, the Interpretive center shows articles linked to the apothecary and former hospital’s medical devices. Also exposed are documents from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries that keep the past of the health care given to the Hospital of S. Marcos.
Holy Cross Church, Braga
The Holy Cross Church in Portuguese, Igreja de Santa Cruz is a Portuguese 17th century church in Braga, Portugal, dedicated to the Holy Cross. The Church of the Five Wounds in San Jose, California was modeled after the Holy Cross Church in Braga.
🗺️Largo Carlos Amarante 11, 4700-308 Braga, Portugal
🕰️Mon-Fri 9a-1p, 2p-5p, Sat-Sun Closed
Located near Palácio do Raio, stands Holy Cross Church. This beautiful 17th century church is packed with history, baroque architecture and design. I highly recommend popping in and taking a look a around if you are in the area.
BRAGA Sign
The iconic Braga sign can be found on Largo Carlos Amarante adjacent to Holy Cross Church and in front of the ornately beautiful Church of the Hospital.
This is the perfect place to capture those iconic Braga photos and souvenir snap shots.
Mercado Municipal da Braga
🗺️Praça do Comércio, 4700-370 Braga, Portugal
🕰️Tues-Fri 7a-5p, Sat 7a-2p, Sun-Mon Closed
This market offers beautiful florals, delicious eats, and luxe goods like soaps, lotions, and other local artisan souvenirs and goods.
The building is also architectural stunning with an interesting lay out.
Braga has numerous amazing restaurants, but I found this the perfect place to grab a few quick bites as I was pressed for time and wanted something local but quick.
Whether you spend a few hours, whole day, or stay overnight in Braga, you are sure to be captivated by all this city has to offer. Whether you visit for the religious, historical, or architectural significance, you will surely not be disappointed.
For a Complete Guide to Porto’s Top Attractions,
Click here
