Free Tour Porto
Our Free tour of Porto is the best way to learn about the history of one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe.
Let yourself be seduced by the charm of Porto
The Northern region of Porto has a lot to offer. In addition to Porto, which is already a consolidated tourist destination, there are also other towns within easy reach from this city that are worth a visit, such as Guimaraes or Braga. Braga is a city that has a rich historical heritage with important monuments, among which is the Episcopal Palace of Braga.
Do you want to know more? Stay reading and we will tell you!
What to see in Braga?
If you want to know better the history of Portugal, you cannot miss a stop in Braga during your trip through the north of the country. As we told you in the introduction, one of the essential monuments in Braga is the Episcopal Palace. Located in front of the town hall in the historic centre of the city, this architectural complex began to be built in the 14th century and it was expanded over several centuries.
In the past, it was the residence of the bishops and archbishops of Braga, because of what it became a great seat of the Catholic religion that made Braga the spiritual capital of the country.
Nowadays, it houses the Rectorate of the University of Minho, a university institution founded in 1973 and its facilities are located both on the Braga campus and on the nearby Guimarães campus, just 25 km away.
In the most modern part of the complex of the Episcopal Palace of Braga, erected in the 16th century, we can find the public library and the municipal archive.
The Garden of Santa Barbara
The visit to the Episcopal Palace of Braga, an emblematic building in the city, is worth not only because of the magnificent architecture, but also because of the the azulejos (tiles) that adorn the main staircase, in a typically Portuguese style.
However, perhaps its most popular attraction is its proximity to the Santa Bárbara Garden, located outside the northern wing of the palace, in the Praça do Município. It is a beautiful seventeenth century square where you can walk along several paths surrounded by shrubs and flowers.
In the centre of the garden there is a fountain with a sculpture of Santa Barbara. At the back of the garden, the remains of a set of arches stand out, giving these garden a medieval and romantic atmosphere. Perfect for taking some souvenir photos!
Other places to visit in Braga
If you have decided to include a visit to Braga in your itinerary through the Northern region of Porto, you will want to make the most of your stay or excursion in the city. In addition to the Episcopal Palace and the Garden of Santa Bárbara, we are going to give you some more recommendations on what to visit in Braga. We continue!
Braga Cathedral
As in many towns in Portugal, the city of Braga has its cathedral as its epicentre - Sé in Portuguese. This imposing religious building was erected on the remains of a mosque back in the 11th century, at the end of which the Christian soldiers took this territory.
The Sé de Braga, as happens with the extensive construction of most cathedrals and religious buildings, has contributions from different architectural styles, so it has Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance elements.
Biscaínhos Museum
Near the Pópulo Church, a building with a Baroque facade that is worth stopping at, is the Palácio dos Biscaínhos, a stately home that today houses a museum of painting from the Baroque and Rococo era.
São Marcos Hospital
This church and hospital complex is located in Largo Carlos Amarante, a square where a beautiful open space extends flanked on one side by the Church of Santa Cruz and on the other by the São Marcos hospital, former shelter and convent of the Order of the Temple, in whose church the relics of Saint Mark have been resting since the 12th century, when they were transferred to Braga by a Templar Knight.
Roman Thermal Baths
Before being the capital of the Catholic religion of Portugal, Braga had a buoyant historical past. It was called Bracara Augusta during the Roman Empire occupation, being the capital of Gallaecia, the Roman province that occupied the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and comprised territories that we know today as Galicia, Asturias, and the province of León.
As a legacy, Braga currently has numerous examples of civil architecture, among which stands out the Roman baths known as Roman Thermae of Maximinus.
The remains of the Roman baths of Braga were declared a National Monument in 1986. Archaeological excavations continue to this day.
Bom Jesus do Monte
The Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary is located on the hillside on the outskirts of Braga. It is a pilgrimage site popularly known for its impressive baroque staircase dedicated to passages of the Passion of Christ and other elements of Christian symbolism.
In addition to the zigzagging stairs, this sanctuary is also worth a visit for its surroundings. You will be able to walk around the lake and even take a boat trip; lose yourself in its gardens and enjoy stunning views of Braga. It can be accessed by car, on foot or by funicular.
Let our local guides show you this amazing place
Are you going to spend a few days in the north of Portugal? If yes, why not get to know the city by joining a free tour of Porto? Our professional guides will show you the city in a different way on a walking tour through the most important places of the historic centre.
And if you also want to visit any surrounding city, we suggest you spend an unforgettable day by joining Braga tour. Reserve your place and meet us at the Praça da Liberdade, in Porto. Find our green umbrella!