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Escape on a Weekend Getaway to Braga, Portugal

Fall in love with Braga, Portugal - where romance meets historic beauty.

03 May 2023

Braga, Portugal offers a perfect blend of history, romance, and scenic beauty that makes it an ideal destination for a romantic trip. The city's old-world charm is complemented by its bustling markets, quaint cafes, and historic landmarks such as the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. The food and wine in Braga are also excellent, making it a perfect place to indulge in delicious Portuguese cuisine with your significant other.

Travel plan

• Hotel suggestion: Hotel Bracara Augusta a cozy and elegant 4-star boutique hotel in the historic center.
• Start the day with a coffee at Café Vianna, a local institution since 1858, and admire the neoclassical building façade.
• Visit the Sé de Braga, Portugal's oldest cathedral, and admire the Baroque interior and the panoramic view from the terrace.
• Walk through the Jardim de Santa Bárbara, a romantic garden with a fountain, statues, and a small lake.
• Stop for lunch at Restaurante Abadia, housed in a former monastery, and taste their famous "arroz de cabidela" (chicken rice with blood).
• Check out the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and climb the spectacular Baroque staircase with 577 steps or take the funicular.
• End the day with a glass of Vinho Verde, the local wine, at Prova dos Vinhos Espaço Porto Cruz Braga, a wine bar with a terrace overlooking the city.

• Hotel suggestion: Pousada Mosteiro de Amares a luxurious 12th-century monastery converted into a hotel with a pool, spa, and gardens.
• Have breakfast at the hotel's dining room, with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, and taste the regional delicacies, such as "broa de milho" (cornbread) and "queijo da serra" (cheese).
• Drive to Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, a stunning natural park with waterfalls, gorges, and forests, and go for a hike or a swim in the crystal-clear ponds.
• Return to Braga and have lunch at Cozinha da Sé, a cozy restaurant with traditional cuisine and a charming terrace.
• Visit the Museu dos Biscainhos, a noble 17th-century house with a collection of decorative arts, furniture, and paintings.
• Take a snack break at Caravela do Colégio, a café with tasty "pastéis de nata" (custard tarts) and a maritime theme.
• End the day with a romantic dinner at Casa de Pasto das Carvalheiras, a rustic-chic restaurant with a garden, serving local dishes with a modern twist. Try the "rojões" (pork stew) or the "bacalhau" (codfish).