LESS than an hour away from glamorous Porto is a lesser-known destination that is even cheaper then Lisbon too.
Braga is Portugal’s oldest city, and the third-largest in the country.
It’s actually nowhere near the Portuguese capital and that’s what makes Braga more affordable.
According to Wise, the average cost of beer in Braga is €2.50 (£2.19).
The average price of a meal out at a restaurant is €9 (£7.87), and you can pick up a cappuccino for as little as €1.57 (£1.37).
Meanwhile, in Lisbon, while a local beer is roughly the same, a meal out is around €3 more expensive and coffee costs around €2.39 (£2.09).
Hotel room prices are as little as £22 per night on Booking.com.
A one-night stay in the Hotel Moon & Sun Braga is is right in the middle of the city.
Rooms have en-suites, some even have balconies with incredible skyline views – rates for a one-night stay in March start from £29.50pp.
Airbnbs like a double room in the Rua da Violinha guesthouse which has a private bathroom starts from £30 – or £15pp.
When it comes to exploring the city, some of the biggest attractions include Braga Cathedral.
It was built in the 11th century, making it the oldest in the country – technically it was built several centuries before Portugal became a country.
Bom Jesus do Monte is a Roman Catholic sanctuary with around 580 steps.
It has 15 statues and six fountains and is described as a “peaceful and awe-inspiring destination, with stunning panoramic views and serene gardens”.
Palácio do Raio is a beautiful blue-tiled palace which visitors have called “enchanting” with brightly painted doors and balconies.
Other tourist attractions in Braga, including Santa Barbara Garden, a public garden that’s open throughout the year.
For a spot of shopping, you can’t go wrong with Braga Parque with all the big-name shops.
For independent boutiques, head into the city centre where for plenty of clothes and handmade items.
Aside from the historical sites, make sure to check out the city’s trendy cafes and restaurants.
Braga is also home to several trendy cafes like Soul – Alimentação Saudável e do Bem, which serves brunch dishes.
One popular restaurant is Café Astória, which is known as Arcada by the locals, is one of the oldest places to eat in the city with over 110 years of history.
Visitors to the city should try Braga’s signature dishes.
The first being Bacalhau à Braga which is fried cod with onions, peppers, and crispy potatoes.
There’s also Papas de Sarrabulho, pork and blood rice porridge, Rojões, marinated pork, and Pudim à Abade de Priscos, a rich crème caramel pudding, for dessert.
A few years ago, Braga was named Europe’s Emerging Tourism Destination in the Oscars of Travel aka the World Travel Awards which have been running since 1993.
Braga beat previous winner Batumi to the top spot in the up-and-coming European destination category.
While Braga has its own airfield, this is used for private or smaller aircraft.
Major airlines will fly into nearby Porto which is a 45 minutes drive away.
In March, Brits can get to Porto from Birmingham Airport with flights from £16 with Ryanair.
Plus, here are the five lesser-known places where the Portuguese always go on holiday… and where they avoid.
And discover the secret side to Portugal that has been crowned one of the best places in Europe.