Braga
Going to visit Braga? Discover the best things to do on your trip to northern Portugal. Top tours, travel tips and verified reviews!
Braga: Tours & Experiences
Have you ever been to Braga?
Braga is a city in the far north of Portugal, northeast of Porto. It’s known for its religious heritage and events. To the east, Bom Jesus do Monte complex has a neoclassical church atop an elaborate 17-flight stairway. In the city center, medieval Braga Cathedral is home to a sacred art museum and the Gothic-style Kings' Chapel. Nearby, the imposing Archbishop’s Palace overlooks Santa Barbara Garden.
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Best Things To Do in Braga
1 - Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte
Also known as Santuário do Bom Jesus de Braga, it is the symbol of the city, where art and nature meet, making it a sacred and resting place. The church is an example of the Portuguese neoclassical style. The high part of the city is connected to the sanctuary staircases, it is also connected to the sanctuary by a funicular elevator, that follows a path parallel to the monumental staircases.
2 - Braga Cathedral
"Older than Braga's Cathedral" is a popular expression used to define the seniority of something, which supports how old the cathedral is. According to lore the diocese of Braga was created on the 3rd century, but is only confirmed by history since the year 400. Next to the cathedral is its collection, which gathers various pieces gathered throughout the ages.
3 - Theatro Circo of Braga
The edification of the great Theatro Circo started in 1911 and ended in 1914. A theatre with capacity for 1500 people and one of the biggest and most beautiful Portuguese theatres. It opened on the 21th of April of 1915. Theatro Circo was restored and modernised on 1999. It is one of the most charismatic concert halls of the country with a programme that obeys to high criteria of quality and eclecticism.
4 - Congregados Basilica
Located on the parish of São José de São Lázaro, Congregados Basilica is part of the Congregados Convent. The basilica was designed by architect André Soares and built on the 16th century, although it wasn't concluded until the 20th century. The statues at the front - St. Philipe of Nery and St. Martin of Dume - were lifted to their places on 16th of February of 1964 and were created by the sculptor Manuel da Silva Nogueira.
5 - São Martinho of Tibães Monastery
The old mother house of the Portuguese Order of St. Benedict is located on the parish of Mire de Tibães, 6km northwest of the city of Braga. It was shut down in 1833-1834 due to the extinction of the religious orders in Portugal and its assets, properties were sold to the public until 1864 with the purchase of the monastic building. From the 70s, the monastery lost its assets and was abandoned.
6 - Sanctuary of Sameiro
The construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro (or Sanctuary of Sameiro), Marian shrine, started on the 14th of July of 1863. The sanctuary is the biggest Portuguese centre of Marian devotion after Fátima. The temple, completed on the 20th century stands out inside by its main altar, as well as by the tabernacle.
7 - Biscaínhos Museum
Installed in the Biscaínhos Palace, built on the 18th century (Baroque period). It presents a sequence of spaces which show an insight to the occupations, likes and traditions of our ancestors of the nobility of the 17th and 18th century. The gardens of the 18th century are a show of artistic and environmental beauty.
