Barcelos vs Braga?

[TreshaA2]

In September, after finishing the Portuguese Central from Tui with the Spiritual Variant, we will be taking a car and driving down to Porto from Santiago to return home from Porto. We don't have a ton of time, probably an hour or two for a tourist stop, but which city ~ Barcelos or Braga? Thanks!!

 

[sarahchicago]

In September, after finishing the Portuguese Central from Tui with the Spiritual Variant, we will be taking a car and driving down to Porto from Santiago to return home from Porto. We don't have a ton of time, probably an hour or two for a tourist stop, but which city ~ Barcelos or Braga? Thanks!!

I can’t weigh in as I’ve only been to Barcelos. But you might consider Ponte de Lima as an option, too. Sweet, very manageable size, friendly, great market.

 

[wes]

I can’t weigh in as I’ve only been to Barcelos. But you might consider Ponte de Lima as an option, too. Sweet, very manageable size, friendly, great market.

The Barcelos market was a highlight for me a few years ago, and the town’s a top spot. I also concur with sarachicago, Ponte de Lima is well worth a look or a stopover. Nice decisions to have to make!

 

[Vacajoe]

Wow, I hear so many people saying so many nice things about Barcelos, but it was a big nothing when we passed through there in October 2021! Maybe it was an off day or Covid really depressed the town, but it was mostly closed shops and depressing plazas. Braga, however, is quite historic and has a number of important cultural sites to see. It’s not even close which I would visit!

 

[Enzed]

Try Braga, i had a restday at barcelos, and went for a day trip there. The view from Bom Jesus is a highlight for me. Plenty of historical buildings, a lively city center and worth the train trip from Barcelos.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

In September, after finishing the Portuguese Central from Tui with the Spiritual Variant, we will be taking a car and driving down to Porto from Santiago to return home from Porto. We don't have a ton of time, probably an hour or two for a tourist stop, but which city ~ Barcelos or Braga? Thanks!!

We visited both cities when we did the Portugues last September, walking into Barcelos and spending the night there, visiting Braga and Guimares separately. Barcelos was surprisingly underwhelming. Not what we expected. Braga is a jewel, and if you have a car, please visit the amazing shrine of Bom Jesus in the mountains above Braga. It's an unforgettable sight.

 

[Camembert]

I come in Portugal since 1977 and visited almost every place but the utmost best place for me is Braga.
Known since the Romans, lot of history
As a musician and lover of Brazilian choro music , Braga is the center of the world for a typical Portuguese and Brasilian musical instrument, the cavaquinho.
5 luthiers in town, all related to each other. Got mine from one of them.

Braga and the sanctuary Bom Jesus do Monte , world heritage landmark.

grand café A Brasileira in the middle of the town for a coffee and a pastel de nata.

Next year after a knee operation , inshallah I will be back on the caminho and mystart will be in Braga. Can’t wait.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Braga and the sanctuary Bom Jesus do Monte , world heritage landmark.

A true highlight...loved it!

 

[Hennie]

Braga
& go to Samiero!

 

[Texas Walker]

We visited both cities when we did the Portugues last September, walking into Barcelos and spending the night there, visiting Braga and Guimares separately. Barcelos was surprisingly underwhelming. Not what we expected. Braga is a jewel, and if you have a car, please visit the amazing shrine of Bom Jesus in the mountains above Braga. It's an unforgettable sight.

When we were on the Portugues--2015--we slept in Barcelos 2 nights, and made a day trip (bus) to Braga. Visited the Se, and Bom Gesu which is on the city bus route, and then partook of the famous Francicena (sp?) hot sandwich while we there. That, friends, is a meat coma waiting for you. The we bussed back to Barcelos for the night and walked onwards.
I recommend the cathedral tour if they're still offering it.
BC
(edited for spelling and punctuation)