As the seat of power for the Archbishop representing the Kingdom of Spain & Portugal in the Vatican, Braga reigned as one of the oldest, most powerful cities in the Europe from medieval times through to the late 1800s. You’ll find loads of things to do in Braga, even if the Archbishop no longer resides here! It’s one on the must-visits in Portugal and an easy drive from Porto!
The heyday of building was in the Baroque era so if you love Baroque architecture, you’ll be thrilled. Full of fountains, parks and, peculiar to Portugal, multi-colored tiled houses, Braga is a feast for the eyes. The cathedral began construction in 1089 making it so old that the Portuguese describe anyone or anything ancient as “é mais velho que a Sé de Braga” – older than the cathedral in Braga.”
Start your walking tour of Braga through the Arco da Porta Nova (New Gate), which is anything but new. Built in the late 18th C, it’s the “welcome mat” to Baroque Braga: monumental, grand, and flanked by a typical tiled building on one side and a renaissance “apartment” on the other.
Once through the gate pause outside the Paço Arquiepiscopal de Braga (Episcopal Palace), home to the very catholic Archbishop, confusing though the name might be. The centre of the square holds one of the more delicious fountains in town, called the Castle Fountain. If you look closely, you can see small castles all around the mid- section of the fountain.
The back of the palace opens up to the wonderful Santa Barbara Gardens, which even in the rain in the middle of October, looked scrubbed clean and bursting with color.
Then onto Republic Square, home of one of oldest coffee houses in town, A Brasileira opened in 1907. In the beginning, they only sold coffee beans, but if you bought more than two kilos, you got an espresso for free! They caught onto the Starbucks idea of selling the drink as well as the beans and, now, it is a lovely example of a coffee house in the art-noveau style.
In my opinion, Braga’s pièce de résistance is the Palacio do Raio. In 1754, rich merchant João Duarte de Faria commissioned the architect of the moment, André Soares, to build his new home. Completely covered by fabulous blue tiles, the building just gleams in the sun or the rain. It must have been so modern at the time and, even today, feels almost Gaudi-inspired.
Inside, the walls drip with tiles as well. The museum was closed when we arrived, but we were allowed to peek in to get a glimpse of this wonderful staircase.
Still, the staircase to top all others, is Italian architect Niccoló Nasoni’s masterpiece leading the way to the Bom Jesus do Monte church. Dedicated to the five senses and three muses, Nasoni couldn’t help but draw on his classical sensibilities, even in this most catholic of cities. Reminiscent of the great gardens of Villa Lante and Villa D’Este in Italy, Braga was destined to be one of my favorite cities in Europe – its nickname is the Rome of Portugal, and we know how much I love Rome!
Don’t leave Braga without grabbing a taxi, or walking up if you have the stamina to climb 381 feet, to see one of the best views of the city, rain or shine. If you don’t make it, there is a funicular, the oldest water-powered in the Iberian Peninsula! These are just a few of the fun things to do in Braga.
It’s an easy day trip from Porto, or if you are staying nearby, then don’t miss a trip to the Douro Valley!
All this exercise can make you hungry….so check out my food guide to Portugal!
There is no really luxurious hotel in Braga, but I stayed at the Melia Braga Hotel & Spa, slightly out of town. However there are some lovely hotels in Porto:
- InterContinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas
- Pestana Palacio do Freixo
- Casa da Calcada Relais & Chateaux (outside of town)
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I was the guest of the Porto & Northern Portugal Tourism Board and I loved every soggy moment of the trip. To learn more about Braga and the area, visit their website.
TAP Portugal flies direct from London Gatwick to Porto twice daily, prices start at £43 one way including all taxes and surcharges. For further information, visit www.flytap.com or call 0345 601 0932.
My home for the night was the Hotel Melia Braga.
Was such a revelation to visit this area, having never thought about it for a city break before but discovering so much history and beautiful architecture, not to mention the food!