Braga: Portugal's Oldest City Is Also Its Most Underrated

Lisbon gets the flights, Porto gets the headlines — and Braga, quietly, gets on with being one of the best places to live and visit in Portugal. Founded by the Romans as Bracara Augusta more than two thousand years ago, Portugal's third-largest urban centre mixes deep history with one of the youngest populations in the country.

Bom Jesus do Monte

Braga's icon is unforgettable: a baroque staircase zigzagging 116 metres up a forested hillside to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Climb the stairs like the pilgrims do — or take the historic water-powered funicular, one of the oldest of its kind in the world still in operation. The view over the Minho hills is worth it either way.

A City of Firsts

Young, Lively, Affordable

Thanks to the University of Minho, Braga runs on student energy. Cafés are full, rents are noticeably lower than Porto — a one-bedroom typically runs 600-900 EUR — and the restaurant scene punches far above its weight. The city consistently ranks among the most affordable places to live in western Europe for what you get.

When to Go

Easter week is spectacular: Braga's Semana Santa processions are the most famous in Portugal. June brings São João, a street party the city shares with Porto. And any sunny weekend works for the Minho's green countryside, with Guimarães — the birthplace of Portugal — just 25 minutes away.

Getting There

Braga is under an hour from Porto by direct train or car, making it an easy day trip — though it deserves at least a night. Porto's airport is 45 minutes away.

Speak a Little Minho

The north is where you will hear the warmest, most generous Portuguese in the country — and where a little effort with the language earns you the biggest smiles. Get ready with the Portugal Lifestyle Pro app, built entirely around European Portuguese.