Braga

Braga has been described as Portugal's answer to Rome. However, while Braga is considered the religious capital of Portugal, and has built a reputation to back it up, it is far from being even a faint resemblance of Rome.

Braga was founded by the Romans in 279 BC. Braga was a bishopric before being occupied by the Moors. It was re-conquered early in the eleventh century and by the end of the century its archbishops were pressing for recognition as "Primate of the Spains", a title they disputed with Toledo over the next six centuries. It is still Portugal's religious capital - the scene of spectacular Easter celebrations with torch-lit processions and weirdly hooded penitents.

You won't be able to miss the Archbishop's Palace , a great fortress-like building, right at the centre of the old town. In medieval times it covered a tenth of the city and today easily accommodates the municipal library and various faculties of the university. Nearby is the Se , which like the palace encompasses Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It was founded in 1070 and its south doorway is a survival from this earliest building; its most striking element, however, is the intricate ornamentation of the roofline, executed by Joao de Castilho, later the architect of Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery. A guided tour of the interior (8.30am-6/6.30pm; free, museum and Capela dos Reis 1.50) takes you through three Gothic chapels, of which the outstanding specimen is the Capela dos Reis (King's Chapel), built to house the tombs of Henry of Burgundy and his wife Teresa, the cathedral's founders and the parents of Afonso Henriques, founder of the kingdom. Beyond the chapels is the cathedral museum - one of the richest collections in Portugal, but displayed like a junk shop.

Where to stay in Braga

Braga was founded by the Romans in 279 BC. Braga was a bishopric before being occupied by the Moors. It was re-conquered early in the eleventh century and by the end of the century its archbishops were pressing for recognition as "Primate of the Spains", a title they disputed with Toledo over the next six centuries. It is still Portugal's religious capital - the scene of spectacular Easter celebrations with torch-lit processions and weirdly hooded penitents.

You won't be able to miss the Archbishop's Palace , a great fortress-like building, right at the center of the old town. In medieval times it covered a tenth of the city and today easily accommodates the municipal library and various faculties of the university. Nearby is the Se , which like the palace encompasses Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It was founded in 1070 and its south doorway is a survival from this earliest building; its most striking element, however, is the intricate ornamentation of the roofline, executed by Joao de Castilho, later the architect of Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery. A guided tour of the interior (8.30am-6/6.30pm; free, museum and Capela dos Reis 1.50) takes you through three Gothic chapels, of which the outstanding specimen is the Capela dos Reis (King's Chapel), built to house the tombs of Henry of Burgundy and his wife Teresa, the cathedral's founders and the parents of Afonso Henriques, founder of the kingdom. Beyond the chapels is the cathedral museum - one of the richest collections in Portugal, but displayed like a junk shop.

Tourist office

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm
Tel: 253 262 550
Located the corner of Praça da Republica.

Where to Stay in Braga - Hotels

For a complete list of Braga Hotels check out Portugal.com hotels page. Hotels in Braga range from economy 2 star to luxury 4 star. The Residencial Centro Comercial Avenida offers excellent value and is right in the middle of town. Hotels with the greatest customer ratings approval are Albergaria Bracara Augusta and Hotel do Lago.

Where to Stay in Braga - Pousadas

The new Braga - Sao Vicente Pousada is the result of the restoration of a late nineteenth-century palace. In an appropriate setting for a Charm Pousada, this is the ideal base from which to discover the magnificent city of Braga and the fabulous Minho region at your leisure.

Where to Stay in Braga - Manor Houses

The Casa Dos Lagos is a lovely old farmhouse high up on the hill overlooking Braga on the road leading up to the Monte do Bom Jesus church.

Where to Stay in Braga - Hostel

Braga's well-equipped hostel is at Rua Santa Margarida 6 (tel 253 616 163), off Avenida Central; the campsite (tel 253 273 355) is a two-kilometre walk along the Guimaraes road, but is very cheap and right next to the municipal swimming pool.

Restaurants and coffee shops

Churrasqueira Lareira do Conde , on Praça Conde de Agrolongo, serves reasonably priced quality food in generous quantities, as does the Restaurante Mocambicana at Rua Andrade Corvo 8, one of several excellent cheap restaurants grouped around the Arco da Porta Nova. Cafe Astoria, Praça da Republica, is by far the best of the old coffee houses , mahogany-panelled and with cut-glass windows. Internet access is available at Netstation, a new Internet café at the end of Rua de Santa Mareida, by Largo de Infias.