This arch without a door was opened in the city walls because there were no more heated wars in Portugal.
See more +
Braga City
Where history
and future
intersect
Discover a vibrant city where more than 2000 years of history coexist in perfect harmony with a young and innovative energy. Majestic monuments, green spaces and policies and a rich cultural heritage make Braga an unmissable destination.
The city
The most complete trip
The most vibrant city
Braga is a city of enormous beauty and rich heritage, combining tradition with innovation, memory with youth, creativity with conservatism.
With over 2000 years of rich history, it has one of the oldest Sacro-Montes in all of Europe and the flagship of the Minho region, Bom Jesus. Braga is home to Portugal's oldest cathedral and the mother house of the Benedictines, the Tibães Monastery.
The Roman legacy is another of Braga's attractions, often dubbed the 'Portuguese Rome' due to its origins in the Roman city of Bracara Augusta. Known for its distinctive churches, splendid 18th century houses, gardens, parks and leisure spaces, Braga's long history is visible in all the splendor of its monuments, museums and churches.
To visit Braga is to take a trip back in time within modernity. An ancient city with traditional religiosity - always imposing in its wealth and majesty - it lives hand in hand with entrepreneurship and a young spirit in areas as vital as culture, commerce, gastronomy, industry and services.
Enjoy Braga! From here, set off to discover Gerês, the north of Portugal and Galicia, but come back.... Come back because you're close to everything.
The Bom Jesus de Braga is a majestic monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
See more +Sustainability
Living Nature
Braga invites you to breathe in nature right in the heart of the city. Between well-kept urban parks, riverside leisure areas and river beaches that preserve biodiversity, each green space is an extension of the city's commitment to sustainability and well-being. These places are not only refuges of tranquillity, but also meeting points between natural heritage and urban life, where ecological balance and environmental awareness are valued.
Visiting Braga is also about experiencing this harmony: walking along shady paths, diving into clean waters or simply contemplating the landscape.
As you explore these natural nooks and crannies, we leave you with an invitation: let every visitor join Braga on this path of sustainability, helping to preserve what makes the city unique and leaving a green mark in the heart of the city.
It is part of the secular Monastery of S. Martinho de Tibães.
See more +
This beach has been awarded the Blue Flag since 2025.
See more +Myths and legends
Braga is one of Portugal's oldest cities and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. Founded in Roman times as Bracara Augusta, it has over 2000 years of history as a city.
Over the centuries, a number of legends, stories and myths have been created as a result of the experiences and imagination of its people; here you can find some of the existing explanations for the best-known ones:
This expression has its origins in the Cathedral.
See more +
According to legend, a very rich farmer called Longuinhos fell in love with a girl called Rosinha.
See more +This expression comes from the iconic Porta Nova Arch.
See more +
It has its roots in Campo das Hortas, where the city's sewage and wastewater used to flow.
See more +
The first is related to the appearance of a Cross and the second to the appearance of a Chalice.
See more +
For this reason, on St. Gerard's Day, December 5, the altars in his chapel are decorated with fruit instead of the traditional flowers.
See more +
This expression comes from the telescope located at Bom Jesus do Monte.
See more +Distinctions
Over the last few years, Braga has managed to distinguish itself internationally for its history, its heritage and the innovative and dynamic spirit of its people.
Today it is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and multicultural city, known across borders for its enormous organizational capacity and receptiveness to major events.
Braga, Best Emerging Tourist Destination at the Europe's Travel Awards 2024 (March) and Renewal of the World Travel Awards 2024 title (November)
Braga renewed the distinction of 'Best Emerging Tourism Destination in the World' at the World Travel Awards (WTA) and also added the distinction of 'Best Emerging Tourism Destination in Europe' at Europe's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.
Awarded since 1993, the WTAs are considered the Oscars of the world tourism sector, recognizing and rewarding excellence in travel and tourism, based on the votes of travel industry professionals, the media and consumers from all over the world.
Competing in the 'World's Best Emerging Tourist Destination' category were the following cities: Ha Nam (Vietnam); Hobart (Australia); Huesca La Magia (Spain); Melaka (Malaysia); Okinawa (Japan); Valladolid (Mexico).
For the 'Best Emerging Tourist Destination in Europe' category, the cities in the running were: Bad Ischl (Austria); Bansko (Bulgaria); Bydgoszcz (Poland); Huesca La Magia (Spain); Ljubljana (Slovenia); Matera (Italy); Mljet (Croatia); Sines (Portugal) and Tartu (Estonia).
Green Destinations Platinum Award (2023)
Braga has been recognized as a Sustainable Destination by the "Green Destinations Awards" program, following its application to this program, which certifies and promotes sustainable tourist destinations at an international level.
This certification was achieved after analysis and evidence that Braga respects and applies specific environmental, social and economic sustainability criteria; responding to 84 sustainability criteria proposed and analyzed by an independent audit, which showed excellence in all areas of sustainable destination management, such as nature and heritage conservation, waste management, energy and climate.
Braga was also included in the final list of the Top 100 Destinations Sustainability Stories, through the Good Practice Story it submitted to the competition.
Braga, Best Emerging Tourist Destination at the World Travel Awards 2023
Braga won the distinction of 'World's Best Emerging Tourist Destination' at the World Travel Awards (WTA).
Awarded since 1993, the WTAs are considered the Oscars of the world tourism sector, recognizing and rewarding excellence in travel and tourism, based on the votes of travel industry professionals, the media and consumers from all over the world.
Competing in this category were the following cities: Batumi (Georgia); Ha Giang (Vietnam); Hobart (Australia); Huesca La Magia, (Spain); Medellin (Colombia); Melaka, (Malaysia); Okinawa (Japan) and Valladolid (Mexico).
Braga certified by the UN for its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals
Braga has been officially certified by SDG Cities, a United Nations (UN-Habitat) initiative that recognizes cities with a solid and integrated approach to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This certification highlights the municipality's strategic work in promoting public policies aligned with the SDGs, covering areas such as sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, water management, social innovation and inclusion. Through its Voluntary Local Review, Braga monitors more than 200 indicators, establishing itself as a city that plans, measures and transforms responsibly.
Braga recognized as a Leading Green City by the UN
Braga was awarded the prestigious "Global Green City Award" by the UN during COP28 in Dubai. This international recognition places the city among the world leaders in sustainability, alongside Vienna, Vancouver and Curitiba. The award highlights Braga's exemplary performance in areas such as energy, public space, land use, water management and urban innovation.