Car Hire Braga - Mini guide to Braga
The town of Braga has a long and illustrious history, having seen many conquerors and religious pilgrims pass through its streets. Nowadays it retains its historic core but also has a healthy modern industrial base and renowned nightlife.
Braga is also a religious capital. It stages the country's most impressive observances of Semana Santa (Holy Week), when torch-lit processions of hooded participants parade by. To experience the pilgrims’ travails, walk up the 18th century granite staircase to the hilltop site of Bom Jesus do Monte, a daunting climb which religious zealots undertake on their knees. On the way are numerous gardens, grottoes and small chapels to break up the journey.
Sights to see in Braga include the Museo dos Biscainhos, a former noble’s palace which features Portuguese textiles and ceramics. The most notable sight though, is the 12th century cathedral, which houses some famous statues of the Virgin Mary and a huge pair of 18th century gilded organs. In the cathedral, you can also visit the treasury and the Museum of Sacred Art, which is home to more riches.
Many of the shopping options in Braga revolve around textiles from the factory outlets or pottery from Minho. There aren't any dance clubs and the bar scene is small and sedate, leaving little to do after dark. Seafood is prolific and game is also a specialty.
The neighbouring region of Minho is small and you can easily hop from hamlet to hamlet. Even the biggest towns, like Viana do Castelo and Guimarães, are provincial in nature. You'll sometimes see wooden carts in the streets, drawn by pairs of dappled and chocolate-brown oxen. These noble beasts are depicted on the pottery and ceramics for which the Minho region is known.
By car from Guimarães, head northwest along N101 to Braga. Some 20 trains per day arrive from Porto; the journey takes 1 hour, 30 minutes. From Coimbra, 15 trains a day make the four-hour trip. Buses arrive every hour from Porto and the trip takes 1 hour, 30 minutes.
