The UNESCO City of Media Arts was previously named Europe’s leading emerging tourism destination – and it’s not hard to see why when you look at the ancient ruins and historic buildings
Often referred to as the Rome of Portugal, Braga owes much of its reputation to its significant role as a key outpost during the Roman Empire. For those seeking a destination rich in history, Braga should be high on their list. The city boasts ancient ruins, stunning architecture and historic buildings among its many attractions.
Braga was recently honoured as Europe’s leading emerging tourism destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. While exact comparisons are challenging, Benoit Properties estimates that the city welcomes around seven million visitors annually. This is higher than the nearly 5.5 million visitors to Lisbon and 4.9 million to Rome in 2022, according to Statista data.
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Visit Portugal describes Braga as a vibrant city and one of the country’s oldest. Founded over 2,000 years ago by Roman Emperor Augustus, it was situated on one of the main Roman roads in the Iberian Peninsula and served as an administrative seat of the Empire, reports the Express.
It was later designated as the capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia, which corresponds to modern-day Galicia.
The Cathedral of Braga, the oldest in Portugal, was constructed in the 12th century by the parents of Portugal’s first king. Today, the city remains one of the country’s primary religious centres.
One of Braga’s must-see attractions is the Bom Jesus Sanctuary. It features a monumental staircase and provides a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
For those seeking traditional Portuguese cuisine, Tabique is a must-visit, known for its slow-cooked meat dishes.
Outside the city, Dona Júlia has earned a reputation for its chic interiors and farm-to-table cooking, as reported by CN Traveller.
Braga offers a variety of accommodation options, including the luxury guesthouse Bracara, Vila Gale Collection Braga, Hotel Mercure Braga Centro and Melia Braga Hotel and Spa.
Porto Airport serves Braga. Airlines offering direct flights to Porto include Ryanair, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal, Azores Airlines, BA Euroflyer, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Jet2.
The journey from Porto to Braga takes approximately 45 minutes by train or 40 minutes by car via the A3. If travelling by bus, the journey can take up to an hour.
