Things to do in Braga, Northern Portugal: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

August 10, 2021 Kelli Reichel

Sometimes called the “Portuguese Rome” for its many churches, Braga is an ancient town in northwest Portugal. Its history and livelihood are tied to Christianity dating to the 3rd century. The city’s 12th-century Sé (Cathedral) is still one of the most popular attractions. Just outside of town lies the renowned Bom Jesus de Monte pilgrimage sanctuary, with its striking Baroque stairway. After dark, the stoic town turns upside down, with a rich nightlife thanks to its many university students.
Restaurants in Braga

1. Braga Half-Day Tour from Porto

Porto, Portugal EFun Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy a half-day city tour to "Bracara Augusta", the ancient Roman city with over 2000 years of history! Get to now the oldest city in Portugal, which today is one of the youngest cities in Europe!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Professional guide, Entrance in Braga's Cathedral, Entrance in Bom Jesus water powered funicular

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By 523koenp

Guide was very cool, lot of interesting information. Helps you get familiar with different types of port, tastings are really good.

2. Full-Day Tour to Guimarães and Braga from Porto

The Other Side Tourism Company
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

This is a full-day tour in a van. It includes a day trip to Guimarães and Braga cities with a stop at "Bom Jesus" Church and lunch in Guimarães.

Inclusions: A Local Guide accompaniment;, Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in a 9 seat van;, Lunch in Guimarães in a typical restaurant (meat or fish – tell us if you’re vegetarian!

Exclusions: Entrance in Dukes of Bragança Palace (optional)

Reviewed By AndrewVH43

This day trip out to the Douro valley was the highlight of of two week trip around Portugal. Diana, our guide and the company are well organised and efficient. Diana was very knowledgeable, unhurried, good-humored and made our trip very enjoyable. After a pleasant boat trip on the Douro river admiring the scenery of the valley and just relaxing, we went to a small little winery close by up on a high hill with great views over the valley. Here we had a tour on how they make olive oil, afterwhich we had some wine tasting, together with almonds, bread and local olive oil. This really got everyone relaxed and in an enjoyable spirit. We were then taken back down the valley to a restaurant for lunch and enjoyed good company with good food and wine. In the afternoon we were taken to a larger wine and port producer and had a tour on how they make Port, followed by some port wine tasting, which was very yummy and enjoyable. From here we headed back to Porto, but after all the wine and Port, we slept the whole way home. Overall, a great experience with professional company and superb guide.

3. Braga & Guimarães Tour - Historical Castle, Palace, Cathedral and Lunch included

BL Heritage Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

A journey through history from the foundation of Portugal to the establishment of Catholic Empire. Experience the North, two cities that were important in establishing the kingdom of Portugal. Braga is a profound religious city and this journey will get you in touch with the well-known Triangle of Faith: The Cathedral, The Sanctuaries of Sameiro and Bom Jesus. Close to 12:30 is time for a delicious Traditional Portuguese Lunch with "Vinho Verde" (green wine) that is the magnificent fizzy wine of the Region. Then we will drive you to Guimarães which is the birthplace of Portugal Nation. We start by visiting the Guimarãe's Castle located oven a hill. From one of its seven towers located over you will observe the wonderful city view. On our way to Guimarães historical center (UNESCO Site), I will describe some of the most important buildings, such as The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.

Inclusions: Lunch { Traditional Portuguese Food }, All activities, Driver/Local guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Ana_Rita_Vilaca

Me and my boyfriend were staying in Porto in december and have decided to visit the Douro Valley with BL Heritage Tours. We couldnt make the best option!!! We have booked their Premium Wine Experience through Douro Valley and it was fantastic... Amazing views, delicious gourmet food and much more. We visited a boutique Winery and tasted Douro Valley wines guided by a proper wine educator. Very comfortable vehicle with a relax driving. I have no words to describe how fantastic it is. Top notch was the private tour with some snacks and Port wine onboard. The price looks high but is nothing comparing what is included. Highly recomended.

4. Braga and Guimarães from Porto ( Entrance fees included )

Touch Tours
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation in Oporto. Prepare to discover Braga and Guimarães known as "The two most Portuguese cities". Embrace an amazing historical tour. Arriving in Guimarães, considered world heritage site by Unesco, and the cradle of the nation, you will find a rich and medieval city where you will first visit the castle that accomodated the Counts of Portugal during the 10th and 11th century and then the 15th century Palace of the Duques of Braganza. Have a beautiful walk around the Historical City center where you will also have an amazing Portuguese lunch. You will after be taken to Braga, a city with over 2000 years of history. Braga is the oldest city in Portugal and one of the world’s oldest catholic cities. Founded by the Romans in the year 16 b.C. and named “Bracara Augusta” in honor to the emperor Cesar Augusto. Starting with the Cathedral and followed by the Sanctuaries Bom Jesus & Sameiro. Depart towards Oporto around 5pm.

Inclusions: Fuel surcharge, Bottled water, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Entry tickets: Guimarães Castle, Palace and Braga Cathedral, Wi-Fi

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By amelietjedietje

We did a private tour to Coimbra and Aveiro with Touch Tours in the first days after the reopening post Corona on 24 June. A super positive experience. Spacious luxurious vehicle, super punctual and caring guide called Tiago, full respect for the new corona safety measures - I travelled alone with my 3 teenage children. The commutation with Touch Tours (André) from start to finish was impeccable. The company listens to what you want to do. We are very satisfied.

5. Alto Minho: Private & Premium Tour - All Included

Your Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Visit Alto-Minho, absorb the culture of picturesque towns such as Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo and Arcos de Valdevez. We will take you through the beautiful green landscapes from the Ocean to the mountains. Our experienced tour guide will take you through the green landscapes of this region in a private mini van. Come with us to the heart of Portugal and feel the history and the culture of this unexplored region.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Lunch, Vinho Verde: wine tasting, All Fees and Taxes, "Chill & Wine" moment

Exclusions: Personal expenses

Reviewed By peter2020l

Our tour is arranged adhoc with very short notice but the company is so accomodating. Pascal is our tour guide, he is sooooo humorous (never had a boring moment) yet so knowledgeable on everything about Porto (and Portugal) from history to architecture, telling us special details around those heritages and observations. It is like a happy discovery journey. Various activities like wine tasting and boat cruise were great that adds to the tour. We also had our 2 80+ years old moms joining us in this trip. Pascal has been very attentive taking extra care to ensure the arrangement works well for them and in the most comfy and safe way. He was so sweet to get our moms a bag of hot chestnuts when it was windy and chill out there visiting the coast of Atlantic ocean, which made it especially yummy and warm. 5 stars, absolutely recommended for the great personal experience.

6. Braga and Guimarães with Lunch Included - Small Group - Full Day

Portugal Excellence Tours
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

Arriving in Guimarães we will have time for a calm walk on foot through the medieval city where we will enter in his Catelo that was known for the birth of a new kingdom: Portugal. Then we will visit the Palace of the Dukes where we are dazzled by the luxuries of royalty from other times. A whole history of Portugal will be told by our local guides who have always followed the group. A delicious traditional Portuguese lunch will be served in a restaurant where you can taste the so famous "Vinho Verde", produced in the region. We will leave for the city of Braga, known for the city of the Archbishops where we will visit its historical center, visit the interior of the Cathedral before we go to the top of the mountain and visit the most magnificent Sanctuary in Portugal: Bom Jesus do Monte. A day filled with culture and conviviality with local people, realize the importance of these two cities for the unification of a country and, of course, an excellent lunch and good wine.

Inclusions: Lunch, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Admission Ticket Braga Cathedral, Admission Ticket Guimarães Castle, Admission Ticket Duke's Palace, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Trek604418

This was a brilliant day out visiting different wineries and port houses in the Douro Valley. We liked all the places we visited and learned a lot about the history and methods of port and wine making. We loved the river trip and lunch in a small town restaurant. It was great to get out into the countryside and be chauffeured around without worrying about anything. Our guide was really charming and knowledgeable – we asked a lot of questions about all sorts of topics and he was very willing to have a good conversation and seemed to know everything. The other people on our tour were lovely and we actually met some of them in town and had a drink a couple of days later.

7. Tour Spain and Portugal (North and Center) 15 days

Premiere Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This comprehensive 15 Day Private Tour will provide our guests with the most Northern and Central Portugal and Spain has to offer in terms of culture, history, monuments and sightseeing. Our knowledgeable certified driver-guides will escort and provide all the information about the different topics related to this spectacular tour. The pick up will be at place in Lisbon designated by the guest. This tour usually takes from 6 to 8 hours each day and transportation will be provided using highly comfortable Mercedes Benz vehicles with WiFi onboard and bottled waters.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Bottled water, Professional driver-guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By Quest39842961517

This was one of the best tours me and my wife have ever taken during our travels around the world. Premiere Tours is by far the best guiding agency we ever hired, and Jorge Bras is the most knowledgeable guide, a true gentleman, always looking out for our wellbeing. Fatima and Sintra are truly two of the most wonderful places in the planet. The spirituality of Fatima and the mysticism of Sintra with its magical fairytale palaces, made the top on our favorite places in the world list. Even though we were in Portugal for only three days on a business trip, during the pandemic, we decided to contact Premiere Tours for ideas on a one day tour, and we are so pleased that we were advised to take this one. We recommend this highly professional guiding agency to everyone visit Portugal.

8. Braga and Guimarães: Private & Premium Tour - All Included

Your Tours
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Accompanied by our guides you will have a remarkable journey in the history of Portugal. Visit Braga, a 2000 year old city and climb the iconic Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. Walk through the medieval city center of Guimarães, where Portugal was born. An unforgettable family friendly tour.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Entrance in Braga Cathedral, Drinks included, Entrance in Guimarães Castle, Traditional sweets in Guimarães, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Personal expenses

Reviewed By peter2020l

Our tour is arranged adhoc with very short notice but the company is so accomodating. Pascal is our tour guide, he is sooooo humorous (never had a boring moment) yet so knowledgeable on everything about Porto (and Portugal) from history to architecture, telling us special details around those heritages and observations. It is like a happy discovery journey. Various activities like wine tasting and boat cruise were great that adds to the tour. We also had our 2 80+ years old moms joining us in this trip. Pascal has been very attentive taking extra care to ensure the arrangement works well for them and in the most comfy and safe way. He was so sweet to get our moms a bag of hot chestnuts when it was windy and chill out there visiting the coast of Atlantic ocean, which made it especially yummy and warm. 5 stars, absolutely recommended for the great personal experience.

9. Braga and Guimarães Tour with Lunch from Porto

Porto, Portugal EFun Tours
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4.9 based on 10 reviews

Discover the culture and picturesque beauty of northern Portugal on this full-day Braga and Guimarães tour with lunch, from Porto. Accompany your guide to Braga’s grand medieval Sé Cathedral, and enjoy hilltop birds-eye views. Savor a traditional Portuguese lunch, then explore Guimarães’s charming town center and and Medieval Castle before returning to Porto.

Inclusions: Lunch, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local guide, Entrance in Bom Jesus Funicular, Entrance in Braga's Cathedral, Entrance in Guimarães Castle

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By 523koenp

Guide was very cool, lot of interesting information. Helps you get familiar with different types of port, tastings are really good.

10. Private Tour: Guimares and Braga Day Trip from Porto

The Cooltours - Oporto
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4.8 based on 12 reviews

Leave Porto for a day trip to two of Portugal’s most cultured cities. Accompanied by a private guide, travel to Guimarães, which lays claim to being the nation’s birthplace and boasts a UNESCO-listed center. View monuments that spell out its rich past, including the storybook turreted Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Then, spend the afternoon in Braga, discovering its strong Christian roots at the Cathedral of Braga and Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary. Enjoy personalized attention from your private guide and a flexible itinerary.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Entrance fees on monuments

Reviewed By stevehV3718RK

An AMAZING experience with Isa who, from pick up outside our Airbnb, was so friendly, welcoming, warm and full of pertinent and interesting information which made the whole trip so worthwhile! The drive was comfortable with a mix of friendly and informative conversation up into the mountains and the valley with wonderful views the whole way. Once to the valley, WOW, the views were spectacular! The first winery had the views as well and a friendly guide, Marta, with DELICIOUS wines, olive oil and honey all grown/made on site. Hesitant to leave it was onto the river boat tour which was sooo relaxing and scenic. Then it was onto a local traditional restaurant that can also accommodate vegetarian/vegan (made up a wonderful pasta dish for the hubby off menu) that came with wine, fresh bread and local olive oil, main dish and dessert for an incredible price (because we were with the tour company) and it also had the views over the town, river and vineyards on the hillsides as well. The last winery was more focused on Ports with lots of info, more views, the fun Maria with Isa to give tons more info and great tastings with tasty snacks and lots of conversation and laughing. The way back to Porto was comfortable conversation as we’d definitely made a friend in Isa along with all the beauty, info and of course wine shared throughout the day. Have already been telling all our friends and family about this tour (and others from Cool Tours and especially Isa!!)! Unforgettable!!

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