The city of Braga is the third largest in Portugal and is considered the religious centre, home to the oldest cathedral in the country. The old centre is compact and has many historic attractions including the rambling cathedral, the Sé, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palácio dos Biscaínhos with its pretty gardens. There are several parks also as well as attractive squares and shopping streets.
The Baroque staircase and pilgrim church of Bom Jesus do Monte are spectacular, sited high above Braga in woodland and surrounded by attractive gardens.
The prehistoric settlement of Citania de Briteiros has amazing ruins of a large Celtic village with round houses, streets, animal pens and public buildings. A few of the houses have been restored so you can sit inside one and imagine life in pre-Roman times.
In Vila de Prado you can spend a day sunbathing by the river Cávado or taking a dip in the clear waters. It has facilities in the summer or take a picnic.
Nearby Guimarães has an impressive castle and a trip to beautiful Ponte de Lima with its Roman bridge and cobbled streets lined with 16th century houses is a must.
The Mercado Municipal in the north side of Braga is where the locals shop, a great place to really experience the tastes and smells of Portugal and to purchase linens and embroidery. Braga is well-known for its handicrafts including wickerwork, pottery and the small guitars known as guitars known as ‘cavaquinhos’. .
Braga has many cafés dating back to the 19th century and a great deal of restaurants which offer specialities unique to the city such as Braga style duck rice, Bacalhau a Narcisa, a local version of the ubiquitous codfish dish which is so popular in Portugal.
