Braga

Slightly further afield, Braga, now considered to be Portugal´s 3rd city, is the country´s ecclesiastical centre and the city centre still maintains an air of charm, particularly along the pedestrianised Rua Diogo de Sousa up to the main square, Praça da República. As with Guimarães, there is plenty written about Braga in all the main guidebooks. Suffice to say that along Rua Diogo de Sousa you must make a point of seeing the cathedral and the library almost opposite, which was once the Bishop’s Palace. As you would expect of an ecclesiastical centre, there are innumerable churches and small chapels dotted about the city centre. A town map from the tourist centre will help you easily locate them, there being about 10 within a short walk of the cathedral. About 6 kilometres from Braga the fascinating church and gardens of Bom Jesus, beautifully situated at the top of a hill and approached by about 700 steps, is one of Portugal´s most famous pilgrimage centres. For the less energetic there is a furnicular railway to take you to the top. The Rua Diogo de Sousa and its continuation was once Braga´s main shopping street and many interesting shops still exist along its length but many of these are, today, given over to the sale of religious artefacts. However, at the top of the street, across the main square, the modern Braga Shopping Centre has an excellent selection of shops catering for all tastes. The main square was redeveloped a few years ago with a series of illuminated fountains, which make quite a spectacle at night. Braga is a buzzing city with a university population as well as a considerable number of tourists. Consequently, there is no shortage of cafés, bars and restaurants. Café Astoria and Café Vianna, two popular cafés in the main square are somewhat limited if you are looking for a full blown meal but with their outside tables under the arched canopies they are great places to sit and watch the world go by over a beer and sandwich. A Ceia. This is your best bet for a cheap enormous Portuguese grill but it is always busy, especially at lunchtime, so you may have to queue.