Portugal Maps: Bragança Map
Bragança, the capital of the Trás-os-Montes region of northeast Portugal, is a pleasant town close to the Spanish border. It is the gateway to the Park Natural de Montesinho.
The town is worth visiting for its laid-back vibe and superb Bragança Castle and excellent Museu Militar within.
The Domus Municipalis is the oldest town hall building in Portugal and is thought to date from the 15th century.
The Igreja de Santa Maria built and added to between the 16th-18 centuries stands nearby and is noted for its fine ceiling paintings.
A unique Pelourinho or pillory mounted on a granite wild boar (known as porcas or berrões and found throughout this area in both Portugal and Spain) can be seen outside the castle.
Other places of interest are the Museu do Abade de Baçal, (named after a locally-born scholar priest), the Museu Ibérico da Máscara e do Traje (Iberian Museum of the Mask and the Costume), dedicated to masks and costumes worn in pagan-based carnival and solstice festivals in this area of northern Portugal and Spain and the Centro de Arte Contemporânea Graça Morais showcasing the art of Portuguese painter Graça Morais as well as other Portuguese and international artists in temporary exhibitions.
Bragança bus station, located where the old railway station once was, has bus connections to Porto (3 hours), Lisbon (7 hours, 30 minutes), Braga (4-5 hours), Chaves (2-3 hours), Guimaraes (3 hours, 30 minutes), Mirandela (1 hour), Miranda do Douro (1 hour, 30 minutes - 2 hours, 15 minutes), Mogadouro (1 hour, 30 minutes), Vila Nova de Foz Côa (1 hour, 45 minutes), Vila Real (1 hour, 30 minutes), Vinhais (35 minutes) and Viseu (3 hours, 15 minutes).
Accommodation options in Bragança include the recommended Hotel Tulipa, the 2-star Hotel Tictac, the 2-star Hotel Classis, the historic, 17th century Solar Santa Maria and the Casa de Chica on Rua D. Fernão O Bravo.
See here for a full listing of hotel accommodation in Bragança.
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