Braga is a city full of history, charm and, of course, a lot of life. If you are planning your trip and you still do not know the essential places to see in Braga , take note and embark on an adventure from another era. Don’t forget to trace your route through the best places in this enigmatic Portuguese city.
Places to see in Braga
Braga is a fairly old Portuguese city; in fact, it is one of the oldest sites in the country and is located in the northern part of Portugal, northeast of Porto. Braga is very famous for its great historical heritage, its culture, its religious traditions and, of course, for its gastronomy. If you are planning your trip to this beautiful city in Portugal, we recommend that you plan your trip itinerary well depending on the days you have for your visit. Never miss the opportunity to sign up for a free tour to see first-hand the charms of the city.
Braga, or Bracara Augusta, as it was originally founded, has existed for more than 2,000 years. It was Augustus himself who founded the city and it soon became one of the most important Roman roads in the nascent Iberian Peninsula: Braga was even the administrative seat of the great Roman Empire. Throughout its Roman history, Braga was also the capital of the then Roman province Gallaecia (today Galicia).
Historically, the diocese of Braga is the oldest in Portugal and, in fact, it came to compete exhaustively against Santiago de Compostela during the Middle Ages . That’s how important Braga was! And it is that one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago passed through this city. Did you know that Braga was called Portuguese Rome for a time? Yes, it all comes from its Roman origin that is still palpable in the city after 2,000 years.
If you are looking for places to see in Braga, don’t forget to look for good restaurants to try its exquisite cuisine. For example, here it is necessary to try Braga-style cod, minhota or Narcisa; You can’t miss the roast lamb either. And, at night, a good party, because Braga is a city of students that, in a way, has that air that slightly reminds us of Salamanca.
The Cathedral: one of the must see in Braga
It is not surprising that the Cathedral is one of the essential places to see in Braga: it is the oldest in the country! Its construction dates from the 12th century by orders of the parents of the first Portuguese king. The influence of Braga on the religious life of the country was so great that, to this day, it continues to be a meeting point for multiple Catholic festivities, such as Holy Week or San Juan.
In the Cathedral of Braga you can contemplate the impressive domes and chapels that are a perfect mix of architectural styles. Here we find the Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Manueline. We already anticipated it, Braga was a direct rival of Santiago de Compostela, but the cathedrals of both cities also competed with each other to see which had greater religious importance.
If you visit Braga, you will be able to contemplate the original towers of the cathedral, as well as the Chapel of San Geraldo, with tiles and baroque carvings, and the Chapel of the Kings, where the remains of the parents of the first King of Portugal rest and for which the chapel was built. Of course, don’t miss a visit to the Cathedral Treasury-Museum.
Biscainhos Museum
Do you like the baroque style and in one more palace? Well, the Biscainhos Museum will enchant you, and even more so if archeology is your thing. If you are a history lover and you like to know everything about every place you visit, this museum is a must see in Braga.
Here you can learn everything you need and want to know about the history of the city through its impressive collections. Among the museum’s treasures we find costumes, ceramics, paintings and sculptures, tiles, antique furniture and even Chinese porcelain.
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte
If you are in Braga you cannot not visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. It has a staircase that is the subject of countless photographs for social networks. We tell you that the place is beautiful and has large green areas, it has panoramic views of the city, not in vain is it one of the most famous and busiest places to see in Braga. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To go to the sanctuary you can do it by car or bus, as it is located about 5 km from the city center, on top of a hill. The sanctuary is made up of a church and the impressive zigzagging staircase. As you go upstairs, you can see the fountains that are around it, such as the purification of the soul ; also, of course, the Stations of the Cross or chapels and sculptures that we are sure you will love.
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte has inside a wood carving of the Lord of the Steps, hence it is one of the busiest pilgrimage sites in the country.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro
We already warned you, Braga is a city with a long religious tradition and 7 km from the center we find the Sameiro Sanctuary; If you go to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, we recommend you continue your visit to Sameiro: they are a 20-minute walk away. It is also a place of worship and pilgrimage and was built in the 19th century. Neoclassical in style and in the middle of an impressive garden with many fountains and chapels, the Sameiro Sanctuary will not leave you indifferent.
You can also take a bus to the sanctuary and walk down those 20 minutes to the Bom Jesus do Monte.
Chapel of San Fructuoso de Montelius
The chapel takes its name from San Fructuoso de Montelius, former bishop of Braga who is even buried in the chapel. The style of the chapel is Visigothic and it was built in the 6th century, a lot of history behind it! It is an impressive construction that will not leave you indifferent thanks to its naves with domes for roofs.
It is 10 minutes from the city center, if you go by car, and 20 if you walk.
Archaeological Museum D. Diogo de Sousa
We love knowing that this museum is right next to the Roman Baths of Alto da Cividade and that it is also an archaeological museum. Interestingly, it houses a wide collection of objects to unravel the history of Braga from the Paleolithic to the Bracara Augusta period. Throughout 4 rooms you can learn everything you need about Braga.
Curiously, the D. Diogo de Sousa Archaeological Museum was founded in 1918, but in 2007 its headquarters moved to a building specially built to house the museum.
Roman Baths of Alto da Cividade
If you are looking for places to see in Braga , please do not miss these hot springs. We tell you that the discovery of the hot springs occurred in 1977, thanks to some excavations that discovered a public bath next to the Forum of Bracara Augusta, in the Largo de Paulo Orósio. Let us remember that the public baths, in ancient Rome, were medicinal sites open to the inhabitants and visitors of the city.
The body was smeared with oils and it was essential to practice exercises to warm the body. Later, a kind of shroud was placed to access what today we would call a sauna. Afterwards, the remains of the oil were removed to submerge in a pool of cold water. The Romans knew all about spas!
Excavations in 1977 uncovered a bath of about 850 square meters with 4 hot rooms . The baths are believed to have been built in the 1st century.
Jardim de Santa Barbara
The Jardim de Santa Barbara is located to one side of the east wing of the Archbishop’s Palace of Braga and dates from the 17th century. It is formed by paths on the sides of which there are flowers of multiple colors, as well as hedges of different shapes. It is a park that we advise you to visit after a long walk through the emblematic sites of the city; In the center of the garden you will find a statue of Saint Barbara, rising above a fountain.
