Braga
WHAT TO DO
Braga is known for three things: shopping (probably the main reason it’s so popular), history (it’s the oldest city in the country) and religion (it’s supposedly the Portuguese city with most churches per square kilometre).
On the retail front, two places should top your list: at Avenida Central, Casa Rolão has clothing and design stores and also Minho’s prettiest bookstore, Centésima Página; at Rua São João, B Concept Store has shops with Portuguese clothing and design products. The devout will definitely be impressed with Braga’s religious monuments, such as Capela Árvore da Vida (Árvore da Vida Chapel, Largo de Santiago, 47) – it was built with 20 tons of wooden beams dovetailed into one another without nails: symbolic! Also, don’t miss Sé Catedral (Rua Dom Paio Mendes) and two other churches surrounded by big green spaces: Santuário do Monte do Bom Jesus (Monte do Bom Jesus Sanctuary) and Mosteiro de Tibães (Tibães Monastery, Rua do Mosteiro). On a more arty tip, catch shows at Theatro Circo’s (Avenida da Liberdade, 697) and GNRation (Praça Conde de Agrolongo, 123) and get a contemporary art fix at Mário Sequeira (Parada de Tibães). One last suggestion: even if you’re not a football fan, you should definitely take a guided tour of the award-winning Braga Stadium at Parque Norte (Rua de Montecastro). The beautiful game indeed.
WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK
If you’re looking for simple homemade food, you won’t want to miss Retrokitchen (Rua do Anjo, 96). If you’re looking for more sophisticated meals, head to Casa de Pasto das Carvalheiras (Rua Dom Afonso Henriques, 10) or to Arcoense (Rua José Justino de Amorim, 96), which produces its own Bísaro pork. There are also great vegetarian restaurants such as Anjo Verde (Largo da Praça Velha) or Hibiscus (Largo de São Francisco) and international cuisine joints like Thai Lakkana (Rua Dom Gualdim Pais, 36) the Italian La Piola (Rua Dom Afonso Henriques, 25) and Japanese Michizaki (Rua Frei Caetano Brandão, 169). Artisanal burger lovers have plenty to choose from at DeGema (Praça José Augusto Salgado) and Bira dos Namorados (Rua D. Gonçalo Pereira, 85). On Saturdays, don’t miss brunch at Paiisa (Praça Conde de Agrolongo, 123) for healthy food surrounded by comic books and illustrations. Try inventive cakes and ice creams at Spirito (Largo São João do Souto) and traditional confectionery at Ferreira Capa (Rua Conselheiro Januário, 151). If you’re planning on having a few drinks, start your evening at Setra (rua de São João, 15) and Destilado (Rua D. Afonso Henriques, 33) or go to the Sé area, which is filled with bars. Best place to end the night? Juno (Rua do Anjo, 49), for its playlist of top electronic music.
WHERE TO STAY
If you want to stay in the city centre, try Bracara Augusta Hotel (Avenida Central, 134) or the newest Burgus Tribute & Design Hotel (Rua D. Afonso Henriques, 20). If you’re looking to stay longer, search out Tea 4 Nine (Praça Conde Agrolongo, 49), a guesthouse with a bistro restaurant that serves brunch and lunch. Next to the train station you’ll find the low-cost Basic Braga. Villa Garden (located at Largo de Infias), a small nineteenth-century palace, is one of the few hotels in the city centre that has an outdoor pool. For those who can’t do without a spa, the five-star Meliã (Avenida General Carrilho da Silva Pinto) is the bouji choice. For some serenity, head towards Monte do Bom Jesus and relax at one of the four hotels located in this peaceful green area.