Braga
is elegant plazas
Welcome to Braga
Portugal’s third-largest city is an elegant town laced with ancient narrow lanes closed to vehicles, strewn with plazas and a splendid array of baroque churches. The constant chiming of bells is a reminder of Braga’s age-old devotion to the spiritual world. Its religious festivals – particularly the elaborately staged Semana Santa (Holy Week) – are famous throughout Portugal. But don’t come expecting piety alone: Braga’s upscale old centre is packed with lively cafes and trim boutiques, some excellent restaurants and low-key bars catering to students from the Universidade do Minho. In fact, it's such a young city that in 2012 it was pronounced the European Youth Capital.
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Braga activities
Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip with Lunch from Porto
Minho is a traditional province in the north of Portugal known for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Portugal, for having a huge beauty and biodiversity, amazing beaches as well as being one of the richest regions in history. The Minho region is known by its traditional landscapes, full of small fields, vineyards, villages, manor-houses, hospitality, gastronomy and lots of traditional festivals. Your day starts at 9am and the first region to visit is Guimaraes, known as the birthplace of Portugal and also the birth of the first Portuguese king. In the visit to Guimaraes you will spend some time in the historical city center, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Experience the opportunity to see the Medieval Castle of Guimaraes, where the resident people believe that D Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born. Visit the S. Miguel church, the Oliveiras Square and have a panoramic view of the Santa Clara Convent. During the visit, you will observe that the streets and the monuments are so well-preserved that is so easy to imagine the past. After visiting Guimaraes, the Tour goes to Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and one of the most important religious centers in Portugal. Braga is known by its several baroque churches, houses from the heighten century, gardens and thematic parks. Braga counts with more than two thousand years of history as a city. In Braga, enjoy a lunch in a typical restaurant and after that, visit the Cathedral and the historical center. Before making your way back to Porto, you will also see two important Sanctuaries, the Sameiro Sanctuary and the Bom Jesus do Monte. The tour will end in Porto around 6:30pm.
Braga and Guimarães Full Day Private Tour from Porto
Guimarães has its historic center classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, and is one of the best preserved medieval centers in the country. We start this tour in the biggest symbol of the city, the Castle of Guimarães, the birthplace of D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and the Chapel of St. Michael, where he was baptized. Close to these landmarks you will find the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, one of the five most visited monuments in the country. We continue to the Church of Our Lady of Consolation and Holy Steps and then to the meeting point for several generations of Guimarães, Oliveira Square, where we find the ancient Town Hall, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and beautiful porches homes. We head to Santa Maria Street, one of the first to be opened in Guimarães, and contemplate the Convent of Santa Clara, which currently houses the services of the City Council. In the Santiago Square we can take a break for lunch and breathe the young atmosphere of the city. On the arrival to Braga, your driver takes you to the República Square, where the visit begins in the Arcades, the Congregados Church, the House of Riddles and the so famous cafe "A Brasileira". In the medieval and historic Braga visit the Torre de Menagem, the Largo do Paço with a fountain dating from 1723 and the amazing Cathedral, that century after century "faced" earthquakes and several architectural projects, culminating in what is the oldest cathedral of Portugal. Then we head to Monte do Bom Jesus, not without first passing to Porta Nova and the Church and Convent of Pópulo. Located six kilometers from the center, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Braga is the best known religious sanctuary of Portugal. With the sun setting behind, we say goodbye to Braga and return to Porto and to your hotel.
Nature, Gerês and Braga Waterfalls Small Group Tour with Lunch and Tastings
Travel with an experienced local guide to Braga city and the Peneda-Geres National Park, one of the most exquisite natural areas in all of Portugal. This full-day tour allows visitors to have contact with the history of the lovely city of Braga and immerse themselves in nature in the only national park in the country. Listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Peneda-Geres features a stunning clear waterfall, a swimming pond, and a mountain covered in hiking trails. Listen to the sounds of nature while exploring the area in a small group. Located in the northeast part of Portugal and neighboring Spain, the park still holds prehistoric remains and is home to an array of wildlife, which can be spotted during this tour. Also included in this tour is a stop at a local restaurant for a traditional Portuguese lunch. Enjoy fresh, locally-grown and organic ingredients prepared in delicious, hearty dishes.
Braga and Guimarães Small-Group Day Trip from Porto
After hotel pickup from your accommodation, make your way to Braga, a city rich in culture and tradition. In the city, there are emblematic squares and churches abound.City in the extreme of Portugal, northeast of Porto. It is known for heritage and religious events Enjoy an hour of free time for lunch (own expense). After Braga, travel to the medieval city of Guimarães. Here, walk through the streets of the city's historic district and visit the main attractions and monuments of the city. Guimarães is located in the district of Braga. is a historic city with a crucial role in the formation of Portugal. Guimarães is one of the most important historical cities of the country, and its historical center is considered World Cultural Heritage, making it definitely one of the largest tourist centers in the region. Its streets and monuments breathe history and delight those who visit it. Return to your hotel at the end of your tour. Main attractions: Braga: • Historic Center • Sé Cathedral of Braga • Bom Jesus Sanctuary • Sameiro SanctuaryGuimarães: • Palace of Dukes • Guimarães Castle • S. Miguel chapel • Historic Centre of Guimarães
Braga and Guimarães Tour with Lunch from Porto
Your morning starts with pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned minivan. Head to Braga, home to the 19th-century sanctuary of Bom Jesus. Board a water-powered funicular (included), which transports you skyward to survey the city’s far reaches. Then descend into the city center and start exploring. Known as the city of the archbishops, Braga boasts numerous stunning churches. Visit the church of Congregados, located outside the medieval walled city, and the majestic Sé cathedral (included). Peruse the old castle tower, or for a dose of modern architecture and see the old Astoria Café, where you can glimpse the medieval wall. Indulge in Portuguese delicacies on your way to Guimarães. Take a guided stroll through the town’s historic center, where you’ll visit the Romanesque church of St. Miguel, baptismal site of Portugal’s first king as well visit the very first portuguese Castle. See the 15th-century Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (optional), built for the royal family. Meander down narrow streets to the lower part of town, stopping at Padrão do Salado and the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church. On the city’s outskirts, you’ll find Toural Square’s weekly fair. Satisfy your sweet tooth here, or at a traditional pastry shop, before returning to Porto.
Private Tour: Guimares and Braga Day Trip from Porto
Meet your private guide at your Porto hotel, then hop inside an air-conditioned minivan and relax on the 45-minute journey to Guimarães. As you travel, discover how Guimarães has a charming medieval center, as well as an active contemporary culture scene, which has continued to thrive since its stint as European Capital of Culture in 2012. On arrival, take a journey into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Guimarães Old Town and explore the labyrinth of tiny squares and narrow streets. See the 10th-century Guimarães Castle, the birthplace of the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. Then ascend the hill to the majestic Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Pay an entrance fee to head inside and look at the rare armor and tapestries on display in the old ducal residence. Let your guide recommend a good spot for a relaxing lunch (own expense), then hit the road for the journey to Braga. Like Guimarães, Braga has a hefty history and is the oldest Christian city in Portugal. It’s home to numerous religious buildings and symbols of faith, but it also has an exciting youthful spirit.Venture into the heart of its historical district to admire the most imposing of all its religious structures: the 12th-century Cathedral of Braga, which features a mix of architectural styles including Romanesque, Manueline and Gothic. After, take a pilgrimage out to the hilltop Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, which can be reached via an intricate Baroque stairway.In late afternoon, travel back down to Porto, where your tour concludes with a hotel drop-off.