Braga is Portugal's third-largest city and regarded as the religious capital of the country.

This historic city is home to Portugal's oldest cathedral and the magnificent Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, and is a fascinating blend of ancient sacred sites and youthful energy.

To help you plan your trip to Braga, we have created three tourism-focused maps; the first details the main tourist sights of the city, the second shows the sights of the surrounding region, while the third provides accommodation options.
Related articles: Introduction to Braga

This interactive map highlights all major tourist attractions that should not be missed during your visit to Braga. (Note: Zoom out to view all markers, including the Bom Jesus.)

Legend 1) Sé de Braga 2) Bom Jesus 3) Jardim de Santa Bárbara 4) Palácio dos Biscainhos 5) Igreja de Santa Cruz 6) Palácio do Raio 7) Theatro Circo 8) Arcada 9) Convento dos Congregados 10) Elevador Bom Jesus do Monte 11) Arco da Porta Nova 12) Largo do Paço 13) Capela De São Bentinho 14) Igreja de São Marcos 15) Convento do Populo 16) Capela da Torre 17) Termas Romanas 18) Largo São João do Souto 19) Jardim da Praça do Município
Related article: Sights of Braga

Braga's surrounding region boasts a diverse selection of cultural, natural and historical attractions.

From the ancient ruins of Citânia de Briteiros to the thermal waters at Termas de Caldelas, visitors will find many compelling reasons to explore beyond Braga itself. The map also includes four river beaches, ideal for the hot summer months. (Note: Zoom in or out to view all markers)

Legend: 1) Bom Jesus 2) Santuário do Sameiro 3) Citânia de Briteiros 4) Capela de São Frutuoso 5) Castelo de Póvoa de Lanhoso 6) Mosteiro de Tibães 7) Termas de Caldelas 8) Mosteiro de Vilar de Frades 9) Santuário do Porto de Ave 10) Mosteiro de Rendufe 11) Nossa Senhora da Lapa 12) Castro de Sabroso 13) Parque do Monte do Picoto
River beaches: 14) Praia fluvial de Adaufe 15) Praia Fluvial de Merelim 16) Praia Fluvial do Faial 17) Praia Fluvial de Agrela e Ser
Day trips from Braga: 18) Guimarães 19) Ponte de Lima 20) Barcelos

Details of each of these sights is given at the end of the guide.

Small group tours are an enjoyable and informative way to discover Braga while providing a chance to meet fellow travellers. We have worked with GetYourGuide.com for the past seven years, and some of the best tours they offer for Braga include:

Although many visit Braga as a day trip, the city serves as an excellent base for exploring the region. Beyond its sightseeing appeal, the city offers a wide selection of restaurants, shops, and vibrant nightlife – ideal for a longer stay.

Braga offers accommodation to suit every preference, from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly apartments.

Leading the luxury category, the Vila Galé Collection Braga is housed in a converted historic hospital, boasting an elegant spa and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Equally impressive, the contemporary Melia Braga Hotel & Spa delights guests with its indoor pool and exceptional cuisine. For those seeking spectacular city vistas, the Hotel do Parque, sits beside the iconic Bom Jesus sanctuary, offers unrivalled panoramic views.

The mid-range category shines with charming options, including the historic Hotel do Elevador and the stylish Hotel Bracara Augusta, both offering comfortable stays steeped in character.

Through our partnership with Booking.com, we provide an up-to-date map of Braga's accommodation options. Simply adjust your dates to view current prices and availability for your intended stay.

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Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte
Located 5km east of Braga's city center, this iconic sanctuary is the city's most famous landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019. The baroque stairway, considered a masterpiece of religious architecture, zigzags 116 meters upward through woodland, featuring 577 granite steps divided into 17 landings decorated with symbolic fountains and biblical scenes.

Visitors can either climb the monumental stairs or take the world's oldest water-powered funicular (built 1882) to reach the neoclassical church. The sanctuary complex, built between 1784 and 1811, includes manicured gardens, a holy way with chapels depicting the Passion of Christ, and a hotel housed in an 18th-century building.

Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Sameiro
Portugal's second-largest sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary, inaugurated in 1869 at Braga's highest point (572m), offers spectacular views across the city and Cávado Valley. The neoclassical basilica, completed in 1953, houses a precious 19th-century silver and ivory statue of the Virgin Mary.

Citânia de Briteiros
One of the largest and best-preserved Celtic settlements in Europe, this 24-hectare archaeological site dates to 200 BC and remained inhabited until the 2nd century AD. The site features over 150 circular stone houses arranged in distinct neighbourhoods, connected by a sophisticated network of paved streets with drainage systems.

The triple ring of defensive walls, stretching 1km in circumference, demonstrates advanced military engineering. Excavations have revealed numerous artifacts including Celtic jewellery, Roman coins, and local pottery, now displayed in the site's museum. The settlement's location at 336 meters above sea level served both defensive purposes and agricultural needs, with evidence of extensive terraced farming still visible today.

Capela de São Frutuoso
This exceptional 7th-century Visigothic chapel represents one of only five surviving examples of pre-Romanesque architecture in Portugal. Built between 656-665 AD as a mausoleum for Saint Fructuosus, the chapel features a unique Greek-cross layout with influences from Byzantine and Ravenna architecture. The original stone carvings include rare Visigothic motifs and early Christian symbols. Recent archaeological excavations revealed foundations of an earlier Roman villa beneath the chapel, along with 6th-century Christian burial.

Castelo de Póvoa de Lanhoso
This 11th-century medieval fortress, built atop a massive 100-meter granite boulder, stands as one of Portugal's most uniquely positioned castles. Its strategic location offers 360-degree views across the Ave Valley and Serra do Gerês. The castle gained historical notoriety in 1128 when Teresa of León, Portugal's first queen, was imprisoned here by her son, the future King Afonso Henriques, following the Battle of São Mamede. The fortress includes a 12th-century keep, restored military quarters, and a medieval cistern carved directly into the granite

Mosteiro de Tibães
Founded in 1060 and extensively rebuilt in the 17th century, this monastery served as the mother-house of the Portuguese Benedictine Order from 1567 to 1834. The complex covers 40 hectares, including Portugal's first example of a baroque garden featuring elaborate waterworks, a medicinal herb garden with over 100 species, and a rare collection of citrus fruits. The monastery's library once housed 4,000 volumes, while its scriptorium produced some of Portugal's finest illuminated manuscripts.

Termas de Caldelas
These thermal springs, first documented by Roman settlers in 80 AD, maintain a constant temperature of 32.8°C and are rich in bicarbonate, calcium, and fluoride. The current spa complex, built in 1906, combines Belle Époque architecture with modern therapeutic facilities. The springs produce 43,000 liters of mineral water daily, used to treat respiratory and rheumatic conditions. The surrounding 15-hectare park features rare botanical specimens, including century-old sequoias and magnolias

Mosteiro de Vilar de Frades
Established in 566 AD by Saint Martin of Braga, this monastery represents a unique architectural evolution from Visigothic to baroque styles. The complex served as the headquarters of the Lóios religious order from 1425 to 1834. The church features Portugal's earliest known example of Manueline architecture in its western portal, dating to 1494.

Nossa Senhora da Lapa
Built in 1694 around a natural granite formation, this unique chapel incorporates massive boulders into its structure. The sanctuary developed around a small 16th-century hermitage where, according to legend, a sacred image was hidden from Moorish invaders.

Mosteiro de Rendufe
An impressive 12th-century Benedictine monastery showcasing various architectural styles. Notable for its ornate baroque church, peaceful courtyard, and historical importance in Portuguese monasticism.

Castro de Sabroso
This Iron Age settlement, occupied from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD, covers 2.5 hectares atop a 281-meter hill. Archaeological excavations have revealed sophisticated urban planning with paved streets, communal spaces, and over 50 circular stone houses. The site's defensive system includes three concentric walls with original gateway structures still visible.

Parque do Monte do Picoto
A 60-hectare urban park transformed a former quarry into a recreational space. The park's highest point at 298 meters offers views across Braga and to the Atlantic Ocean on clear days. The site features 10 kilometres of walking trails, including a geological circuit showcasing the region's granite formations.