Often dubbed as Portugal’s Rome, Braga has earned its reputation due to its pivotal role during the Roman Empire. For history enthusiasts, Braga is a must-visit destination, boasting ancient ruins, breathtaking architecture and historic edifices among its numerous attractions.
Braga was recognised as Europe’s leading emerging tourism destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Although direct comparisons are difficult, Benoit Properties suggests that the city attracts approximately seven million tourists each year.
This surpasses the nearly 5.5million visitors to Lisbon and 4.9million to Rome in 2022, as per Statista data.
Visit Portugal describes Braga as a lively city and one of the nation’s oldest. Founded over 2,000 years ago by Roman Emperor Augustus, it was located on one of the main Roman roads in the Iberian Peninsula and functioned as an administrative centre of the Empire.
It was subsequently named as the capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia, which corresponds to present-day Galicia.
The Cathedral of Braga, the oldest in Portugal, was built in the 12th century by the parents of Portugal’s first king. Today, the city continues to be one of the country’s primary religious hubs.
One of Braga’s must-visit sites is the Bom Jesus Sanctuary. It showcases a monumental staircase and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
For those in search of authentic Portuguese fare, Tabique is a must-visit, renowned for its slow-cooked meat dishes.
Beyond the city limits, Dona Júlia has gained acclaim for its stylish interiors and farm-to-table cuisine, as highlighted by CN Traveller.
Braga provides a range of lodging options, including the luxurious Bracara guesthouse, Vila Gale Collection Braga, Hotel Mercure Braga Centro and Melia Braga Hotel and Spa.
Porto Airport is the gateway to Braga. Airlines providing direct flights to Porto encompass Ryanair, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal, Azores Airlines, BA Euroflyer, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Jet2.
The trip from Porto to Braga takes roughly 45 minutes by train or 40 minutes by car via the A3. If travelling by bus, the journey can take up to an hour.