A major travel title recently listed one Portuguese city among “The Most Underrated Destinations for a European Summer Without the Crowds.” The claim came from CN Traveller, and it turned a few heads.
This is a place with cobbled lanes, heavyweight religious history, and restaurants serving deeply traditional northern Portuguese cooking. It sits close to a much more famous neighbour, yet sees only a fraction of the cruise-ship traffic.
CN Traveller’s underrated summer pick
The city in question is Braga, in Portugal. It sits in the Minho region of northern Portugal, roughly an hour by train or car from Porto.
With Roman roots as Bracara Augusta, it’s widely regarded as Portugal’s oldest city, and its historic centre still reflects that long timeline.
For travellers searching for an alternative to Porto or a quieter base in northern Portugal, Braga travel plans start to make sense quickly.
Why Braga feels different from Porto
Braga is frequently compared with Porto, mainly because of geography. Porto has the Douro riverfront, port wine lodges and heavy international tourism. Braga, by contrast, leans into its ecclesiastical history and university energy.
It’s often described locally as the “Rome of Portugal” due to its concentration of churches and religious buildings. That doesn’t mean it feels solemn or closed off. The presence of the Universidade do Minho brings students into the centre, keeping cafés and bars busy without tipping the place into stag-weekend territory.
Wandering the old town
Start around Praça da República, where locals meet under the arcades, then drift towards Arco da Porta Nova, the 18th-century gateway marking the old city entrance.
The streets are lined with independent shops, pastelarias selling pastéis de nata, and traditional tascas (informal eateries). There’s a strong sense of daily life carrying on rather than a stage set built for visitors.
Sé de Braga – Portugal’s oldest cathedral
For anyone interested in history, Sé de Braga is central to understanding the city. The cathedral combines Romanesque foundations with later Gothic and Baroque additions.
Inside, the royal tombs of Henry of Burgundy and Teresa of León connect directly to the early formation of Portugal as a kingdom. The attached treasury museum holds religious art and artefacts spanning centuries.
Bom Jesus do Monte – the Baroque staircase above the city
A short trip outside the centre brings you to one of northern Portugal’s most striking landmarks. The sanctuary sits on a wooded hill overlooking Braga.
The zigzagging Baroque staircase symbolises the Stations of the Cross, with fountains representing the five senses. At the top, there’s a church and sweeping views across the Minho countryside.
Bom Jesus do Monte is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easily combined with a half-day exploring the surrounding gardens.
Where to eat in Braga
Food is one of Braga’s quiet strengths. The Minho region is associated with hearty dishes and green wines. Expect plates such as:
- Rojões (marinated pork chunks typical of Minho)
- Bacalhau in various regional styles
- Caldo verde, the classic northern soup with shredded greens
- Glasses of lightly sparkling Vinho Verde produced nearby
Meals tend to be generous and reasonably priced compared with Lisbon or central Porto.
Best time to visit Braga for a crowd-free summer
For those drawn by the idea of an underrated European summer destination, timing matters.
Late May to early July brings warm weather without the August peak. Braga’s major summer festival, Festa de São João, takes place in June and fills the streets with music, decorations and grilled sardines.
- August is warmer and busier, though still calmer than coastal hotspots.
- Early autumn often combines mild temperatures with a more relaxed rhythm.
Braga does not try to compete with Lisbon’s scale or Porto’s riverfront drama. Instead, it leans into its identity as an old northern city with strong regional character.
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