Porto

Braga day trip from Porto

A day trip to Braga from Porto leads to Bom Jesus do Monte, on a hill outside the town. A Baroque staircase of about 570 steps climbs to its basilica, and beside it runs a funicular from 1882, the oldest in the world still working on water counterweight. Down in town stands Portugal's oldest cathedral.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Day tours

Day tours from Porto

If you'd rather not plan the trip yourself, these guided days take care of it.

Photos courtesy of Tiqets

Bom Jesus do Monte: the staircase and the funicular

Stone statues on the balustrades of the Bom Jesus staircase, with the city of Braga spread out below — Braga from the top of the Bom Jesus staircase Photo: Daniel VILLAFRUELA., CC BY-SA 4.0

Bom Jesus do Monte stands on a hill outside the city, reached by city bus or taxi. From the foot of the sanctuary, a Baroque staircase begun in 1723 climbs about 570 steps to the basilica at the top. The sanctuary joined the UNESCO list in 2019.

Beside the stairs runs the funicular, opened on 25 March 1882. It was the first funicular built in the Iberian Peninsula, and today it’s the oldest in the world still working on water counterweight. You can walk up and ride down, or the other way round.

Bom Jesus

Funicular: €2.50 one way, €4 return; leaves at 25 and 55 past the hour
Funicular hours: Summer 9:00–20:00 · Winter 8:55–12:55 and 13:55–17:55
Basilica: Summer 8:00–19:00 · Winter 9:00–18:00
Tower and high choir: €1

The basilica at the top is Neoclassical, built from 1784 to 1811. Up there you can also take a boat out on the lake, €3 a person (two at least).

Braga Cathedral

Back in the centre, Braga Cathedral, the oldest in Portugal, was consecrated in 1089. The visit follows three routes, the Treasury-Museum among them, at €3 each, €6 for any two and €7 for all three; children up to 12 go free.

The cathedral opens 8:00 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00, with no sightseeing during services. The Treasury-Museum opens 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00, and closes on Mondays.

Braga’s old town

From the cathedral, the old streets lead on foot to the Arco da Porta Nova, from 1502, and on to Praça da República and the Avenida da Liberdade. The town began as Bracara Augusta, founded by the Romans in 16 BC, and in 1112 it was handed to its archbishops.

Above the city, the Sameiro sanctuary stands even higher than Bom Jesus, with a church of paintings and gilding. Braga fills up in Holy Week, on the night of São João, 23 June, and for Braga Romana, a festival on the last weekend of May.

Braga from Porto by train

Braga is on CP’s urban network from Porto, with tickets sold at São Bento and Campanhã and nothing to book. It’s outside the Andante network, though, so the Andante Tour doesn’t cover the trip.

São Bento to Braga

From: São Bento or Campanhã, CP urban line
Journey: 50 to 80 minutes, depending on stops
Trains: About 46 on weekdays, 31 at weekends
First and last: 6:05 from São Bento; last back from Braga 23:30
Single fare: €3.60 (2026 fares)

The one-day Tourist Ticket, €7.70, covers all of Porto’s urban trains, but for Braga and back two singles come out cheaper. It pays only if you add more trips that day.

For speed, the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains from Campanhã take about 40 minutes, at a higher fare. From Porto airport, a direct bus takes about 40 minutes, from €4, against about two hours by metro and train.

Braga tours from Porto, with Guimarães

Every Braga tour from Porto also stops in Guimarães. The one with most reviews takes you into Bom Jesus and the cathedral, and the small-group tour collects you from your hotel. The most complete adds lunch and private access to rooms at Bom Jesus.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Porto to Braga?

Between 50 and 80 minutes on CP's urban line from São Bento or Campanhã, depending on the stops. There are about 46 trains on weekdays and 31 at weekends, the first at 6:05 from São Bento. Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains from Campanhã take about 40 minutes and cost more.

How do you get up to Bom Jesus?

Bom Jesus is on a hill outside the centre, reached by city bus or taxi. From the foot of the sanctuary you climb the staircase, about 570 steps, or ride the funicular, €2.50 one way and €4 return.

Can you see Braga and Guimarães in one day?

On a tour, yes, in 8 or 9 hours from Porto. By train it's harder, because Braga and Guimarães are on separate CP lines.

Is Braga Cathedral open on Mondays?

It is, from 8:00 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00; the part that closes on Mondays is the Treasury-Museum. Both close on 1 January, Easter Sunday and Monday, and 25 December.