Simply Braga, discover it!
In the north of Portugal , the city of panties is presented to the traveler with different faces . On the one hand, its status as old lusa religious capital , with its churches, cathedrals, monasteries and sanctuaries roaming freely in almost every street of its historic center and other parts of the city.
For another, its advanced age as a city is more than compensated for glimpses of youth which confers his intense university life. Not in vain, it is in panties where is it the oldest university in Portugal , and bars, cafes, museums, art galleries and cultural events give a good account of it.
This mixture of prudish city and scoundrel at the same time , with a monumental backdrop of unquestionable beauty makes Braga is one of the most interesting destinations in Portugal.
Although it will take several days to explore panties thoroughly, a traveler that only has 24 hours you can do the following tour Get the most out of your visit.
MORNING: DISCOVERING THE HISTORICAL CENTER
When you find yourself alone 50 kilometers from the center of Porto) , most of the travelers who visit panties in one day they do it from that wonderful, romantic and decadent city that sits on the mouth of the Douro River.
From Porto, a journey to Braga by car does not take more than 45 minutes , while by train, after visiting small towns in the Portuguese countryside, it can take an hour.
After getting up early to make the trip, it is convenient to start the visit to Braga charging energy. To do this, nothing like trying one of the classic cakes from the Tibias cafeteria in Braga. The Tibias of Braga , created by pastry chef João Araújo, trained in Parisian pastry shops, are already one of the typical sweets of the city and they consist of a kind of elongated petit choux filled with pastry cream.
The premises are located in a nice renovated building, next to the Porta Nova Arch , ideal place to start a visit to the historic center of Braga.
Braga, Portugal - March 5, 2016: "Arco da Porta Nova" in Braga, Portugal, an arch being part of a Roman built wall that surrounded the city. Tourists seen in the background and restaurant on the left.
This triumphal arch, created by the sculptor André Soares in the mid-18th century, replaced an old gateway to the city. Soares spent much of his life in Braga and he gifted the city with his art in the form of fountains and other sculptures.
Crossing it, a wide labyrinth of pedestrian streets opens up, overlooking old palatial houses of baroque and neoclassical facades , others with bright colors and religious buildings. All this interrupted, like a brief sigh for breath, by squares of all sizes. Today, most of the buildings have been renovated to house shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
among the monuments highlights of the historic center of Braga highlights the cathedral, which has the honor of being the oldest in Portugal. It was built in the 11th century, although it has been reformed on several occasions, presenting Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque characteristics. Its baroque organs from the 18th century, its imposing triple nave, the baptismal font from the 15th century and the tombs of the parents of King Alfonso I of Portugal are some of the essentials of the cathedral.
Cathedral of Braga
Returning to the light of day, it is a pleasure to walk through the Republic Square - with its pretty arcade and terrace bars - and the adjoining gardens. Nevertheless, there is no more beautiful garden in this part of the city than the one in Santa Barbara , located next to medieval episcopal palace of Braga and that owes its name to the fountain that presides over it. The perfect place to relax.
art lovers can get lost in Biscainhos Museum that takes us into the palatial life of Braga in the 18th century. Grand and functional architecture that amazes the traveler, being able, in addition, to enjoy its free wonderful baroque garden.
Finally, the Raio Palace, erected in the 18th century with a facade that combines typical Portuguese tiles with granite, it houses an interesting interpretation center of 500 years of sacred art history.
To acquire craft products in Braga (such as bedding, embroidery, ceramics or wooden figures) the best place is the Municipal market , although there are also small craft shops in the old town.
Republic Square, Braga
It's time to pause and try the traditional portuguese cuisine on the Velhos Tempos tavern . **Small, nice place with huge and tasty portions. ** Little more can you ask for.
AFTERNOON: BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY
Although you can get to the foot of the famous stairs of the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary By public bus or private car, there is no better way to get off the food than to walk there from the city center. It is a one-hour walk, which includes an ** interesting final slope **, but which allows you to enjoy the landscape with parsimony.
The Sanctuary Bom Jesus do Monte It is the ideal place to spend an afternoon in Braga. In fact, it is usually frequented by local people who come to stroll through its garden areas, relax by the pond or play sports on its stairs – one of the most photographed monuments in Portugal - and slopes.
Views from the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, incredible!
For those who don't really want to climb the 600 steps that lead to the church of Bom Jesus do Monte , the good news is that there is the possibility of going up with an old 19th century funicular.
East tourist icon de Braga was built in different stages, based on a small 14th-century chapel that was a medieval pilgrimage center. the present church, one of the first neoclassical churches in Portugal , was consecrated in 1834, although the emblematic stairs are earlier.
In addition to the church,** the stairs** – with its five fountains, which correspond to the five senses -and the different chapels dedicated to the Via Crucis , this place has a beautiful natural environment and, above all, gives unbeatable views of Braga. You can enjoy them from the terrace of a bar facing the place where the sun sets.
There is no more beautiful way to appreciate a sunset in Braga.
Braga, from the top of the 5,070 steps of its Sanctuary
NIGHT: THE SOUL OF STUDENT CITY COMES TO LIGHT
Although by size it is not possible to expect the same level of nightlife in Braga than the one that can be found in cities like Port Y Lisbon , yes it is true that nightfall raises the heart rate of the center of Braga and its surroundings.
It is here that one can feel the effect of the bracarense university population , crystallized in good places to have dinner, have a drink and dance until dawn.
The two main zones for going out in Braga are those of University Y the old town . In the first, the small bars will be the protagonists, while the center offers more elegant places with a more heterogeneous public. Academic Bar Y Sardinha Biba are two places that never fail.
Nevertheless, the night of Braga also invites , with that dim lighting of its many monumental buildings, churches and palaces, to recollection and calm.
Whichever option is chosen, there is something that never fails: everyone wants to stay longer in Braga.