Bragança is in the heart of Trás-os-Montes, in the remote northeast corner of Portugal. An area most tourists forgo when planning a Portugal itinerary. Even those that prefer the quieter, lesser-known areas still skip this region. Those that do find their way here are surprised by its endearing charm, which is exactly what happened during my first visit. Trás-os-Montes was the last of all the regions of Portugal that I visited. As a beach girl it’s usually the coastal regions that pull me in and as the city in Portugal furthest from the coast it’s natural it took me so long to visit.
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I’m not afraid to admit I visited Braganca more out of duty (dedicated to getting to know every region of Portugal) than from desire; but when I arrived, the connection to peace and quiet was so strong, I booked another night immediately. After visiting every corner of the country, I can now say the serenity of this particular corner of Portugal is unmatched.
During a time when the world feels extra overwhelming and hyper-connected, I believe more and more are seeking out simpler, quieter places. Trás-os-Montes is exactly one of those places.
Where is Bragança?
Situated on the very edge of the Montesinho natural park and, straddling the rushing Fervença river, Bragança is Portugal’s most northern city; located in the historical region of Trás-os-Monte e Alto Douro.
Nature wins in the region of Trás-os-Monte, and every town, village & hamlet in the region is enveloped in that raw beauty; the city Braganca is the perfect example.
When to visit
Like every region in Portugal, the shoulder seasons (May-Jun + Sep-Oct) are great months to visit but in my opinion the best time to visit Bragança is in the winter. Why? Because Bragança does winter very well. Soups, hearty stews, cave-like taverns with fireplaces, winter traditions, and maybe even some snow if you’re lucky.
If you are planning on also visiting Montesinho natural park or hiking then winter isn’t the best time but if you want to enjoy the city at its most characteristic then winter is the perfect time, extra points if you come during carnival (end of Feb/ Beginning of March).
In summer temperatures can reach the forties so unless sweltering heat is your thing then avoid this time of year. The one benefit to this time is the chance to cool off in waterfalls.
How long to stay
Bragança is only small and you can see the main sites in a day but I definitely recommend spending the night to enjoy the cosiness after dark. Even better, stay a few. Use Bragança as your base for exploring the Montesinho natural park. If it helps, I stayed 2 nights and although I felt like I saw what I wanted in that time, a part of me really wanted to stay for longer and settle in to the pace of Trás-os-Montes.
Where to Stay in Bragança
Here are a few suggestions for places to stay in the city.
- Solar de Santa Maria Stay in a 17th century Manor
- Pousada de Bragança – hilltop pousada
- Secret Garden 4 bedroom house
- Inn Door 21 Guesthouse and Hostel Large kitchen, terrace and fireplace room
Where to stay in Trás-os-Montes
If you’d prefer to base yourself somewhere else in the region there are so many options. One of the best experiences in this region is staying in a traditional cottage. It is becoming harder and harder to find these authentic stays but Trás-os-Montes has plenty.
- O Palheirinho Traditional stay and experience
- Casa da Barriada I Stone cottage in Gondesende
- Casa do Parâmio two bedroom house in the heart of Montesinho natural park
Bragança highlights : What to see &do
- Castelo de Bragança. The cherry on the top of a beautiful city is the castle. Prominent in the skyline and offering views across the region. It’s an enjoyable walk.
- Eat a Brigantino or two. I’ve nicknamed this the pastel de Brigantino the autumn pastel de nata. Instead of the yellow custardy centre of a nata you’ll find a hearty centre of chestnuts, almonds, olive oil and honey. I learnt that once you have eaten one Brigantino, you certainly haven’t eaten them all. They come in varying shapes, sizes and textures. As if you need an excuse to eat more than one.
- Find a Cosy Tavern. One of those winter luxuries is a blustery walk followed by a cosy tavern and bragança is perfect for this. I loved the cave-like O Celta for a glass of port. If you’re here in summer they have outdoor seating with barrel seating.
- Visit the mask museum. This corner of Portugal has a rich history of ‘caretos’ and these masks are some of the most celebrated in the country. Naturally you can find hints of the caretos all over Bragança but if you want to learn in more detail then a visit to the Museu Ibérico da Máscara e do Traje is a must
- Visit Marron Oficina da Castanha. this is one of the best Portuguese product stores I’ve visited. They have all the usuals like olive oil, wine and honey. Their specialty is chestnuts, selling a wide range of chestnut products including chestnut paste (in beautiful packaging) and offering a liquor tasting. They also have a small cafe.
There you have a quick guide for a short stay in Bragança. This city captured me more than I thought it would and it’s the place that calls me to return to Trás-os-Montes for longer. Happy Planning!
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