Braga - Portugal's undiscovered spiritual pearl

In 2024, Portugal broke a tourism record with over 31.6 million visitors, a 5% increase from the previous year. Most of these visitors went to Lisbon, which welcomed 8.52 million tourists, and to Porto, which has long been among the most visited cities, with nearly 6 million visitors staying overnight in 2023 alone.

Both destinations enjoy enduring popularity, but they also struggle with enormous crowds and rising prices. The country's third-largest city , Braga, stands out in this context. Although the city is increasingly making its way onto the list of places travelers want to explore, it remains an interesting and uncrowded alternative to Portugal's "must-haves."

Braga – one of the oldest gems of Portugal

This unique city combines nearly two thousand years of history with a youthful energy and atmosphere rarely found in crowded metropolises. Founded by the Romans as Bracara Augusta in 16 BC, it quickly became one of the key administrative centers in the region, and over the years, it also grew into the spiritual capital of Portugal , serving as the seat of archbishops since the Middle Ages. Today, Braga's religious character is reflected in its numerous churches and cathedral, as well as the processions and festivals that define the city's life.

Wandering along the cobbled streets, it's easy to see that past eras have left a lasting mark here – in Roman ruins, medieval tenement houses, Renaissance cloisters, Baroque temples, palaces and fountains that have been cooling the city squares for centuries.

Braga, known as the "City of Archbishops" and the "Rome of Portugal," exudes spirituality, but not in an overwhelming way – it envelops you in peace, encourages reflection, and encourages a leisurely discovery of its corners, where the daily lives of students, residents, and pilgrims unfold.

What is worth seeing to fall in love with Bragga?

The city captivates from the very first step – visitors begin their stroll at Largo Carlos Amarante, where the façade of the Igreja Santa Cruz attracts attention with its sculptures and ornamentation typical of Portuguese Baroque, and its twin, soaring towers stand out sharply against the blue sky, creating a breathtaking view.

Across the square , the Igreja de São Marcos winks at the eye – a church with a magnificent Baroque façade , decorated with life-size sculptures of the apostles and a figure of St. Mark in the central niche. The interior houses the relics of the aforementioned apostle, and the entire building once served as part of a hospital complex for pilgrims – its distinctive towers still serve as a reminder of the care for body and soul.

The wealth of religious monuments scattered throughout the city center is as impressive as the Sé de Braga itself – Portugal's oldest cathedral, consecrated in the 11th century. Its massive Romanesque-Gothic structure blends seamlessly with Baroque details, creating a veritable architectural kaleidoscope. Nearby, narrow cobblestone streets lined with cafes and craft shops invite you to slow down and immerse yourself in the city's daily rhythm.

The true symbol of Braga, however, remains the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte – a Baroque complex on a hill, accessed by a towering staircase of 577 steps. Along the route, hikers are greeted by fountains and sculptures with biblical themes, and the climb is rewarded with a stunning view of the entire city.

For the less adventurous, there's an alternative – a historic funicular railway from 1882, powered by water and operating in the spirit of ecology. The basilica's interior is captivating with frescoes and sculptures, while the surrounding area boasts lush gardens and shady paths, perfect for moments of reflection.

Braga has been known for centuries as the "City of Bells," a nickname undoubtedly earned by the over thirty churches in its center. But it has much more to offer – hidden in the maze of streets are Roman ruins dating back to the first centuries AD, a reminder of its ancient origins, while adjacent to them are modern art galleries, museums, and shops offering local handicrafts, wine, and pastel de nata.

The pedestrian street Rua Dom Paio Mendes is bustling with life in the afternoons, when the café tables fill with people, and nearby stands the Arco da Porta Nova – an 18th-century city gate , today one of the symbols of Braga.

It is also worth visiting the Raio Palace, whose blue azulejos shimmer divinely in the sun, or the Museu dos Biscainhos, housed in a 17th-century palace with a French-style garden.

On the outskirts of the city, a lesser-known but unique attraction awaits – Sete Fontes, a system of 18th-century springs and aqueducts that once supplied the region with water. If you dream of seeing the city from above, simply climb the tower of the Our Lady of the Torre Chapel, from where a beautiful panorama unfolds.

Braga area - trails for those who can't sit still

While Braga tempts with its tranquility, it offers plenty of attractions for active holidaymakers. It's a great base for exploring Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês, just a 45-minute drive away. The park delights with mountain trails leading through forests, rocky gorges, and rustic villages, waterfalls for cooling off on a hot day, and viewpoints offering views of wild, green valleys. One of the most interesting routes is the ancient Roman road Via Nova, dating back to the 1st century AD, connecting Braga (Bracara Augusta) with Astorga (Asturica Augusta) in Spain.

Fragments of it remain to this day, with visible milestones (miliários), bridges, and fragments of paved surfaces. Today, part of this route functions as the Camino da Geira e dos Arrieiros pilgrimage route, an alternative to the Camino de Santiago. Less well-known than the French Way or the Camino Portugués, it is valued for its authenticity, beautiful landscapes, and rich archaeological remains.

Peneda-Gerês also boasts niche trails, such as the Mountain Village and Wolf Trap, which you can explore on an organized walking tour. During this tour, you'll visit charming mountain villages like Lombadinha and an old wolf trap used by locals to protect their belongings from the animals. The route follows well-maintained paths, ancient stone roads, and sections of the ancient pilgrimage route leading to the Peneda Sanctuary.

There you can meet wild Garrano horses, sheep and goats, and enjoy views of the Soajo and Amarela mountain ranges, which include waterfalls and oak and heather landscapes.

Braga itself is also great for activity – climbing the 577 steps to the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary is a bit of a workout in itself, and city gardens like the Jardim de Santa Bárbara are perfect for long walks, especially in spring when hundreds of colorful flowers bloom, creating a fairytale setting.

Braga and flavors that stay in your memory

No visit to Portugal would be complete without local delicacies, and Braga is sure to delight the palate. The local cuisine is quintessential Minho cuisine – simple yet full of flavor, fragrant with herbs, olive oil, and wine. Be sure to try Bacalhau à Braga, cod in an onion sauce with crispy potatoes , or the aromatic rojões à Minhota , pieces of pork marinated in garlic, wine, and spices, fried in lard until tender and juicy. This is one of the famous dishes of northern Portugal, usually served with potatoes and salad or papas de sarrabulho (a type of cornmeal cooked with meat stock and spices), which best captures the hearty and rustic spirit of Minho cuisine.