Introduction
Today, we’re off to discover the riches of northern Portugal, and we’re taking you to the first town we visited on a Portuguese road trip: Bragança (
Bragança in Portuguese)
! This historic town in the Trás-os-Montes region has a lot to offer travelers. Our Bragança Road-Trip Guide has all you need to know about the city’s castles, where to park your motorhome, where to stay in a hotel, what to do and where to eat!
Information on the town of Bragance
History of Bragance
Located in Portugal’s Trás-os-Montes region, Bragança is a picturesque town with a population of 20,000. It was here that one of Europe’s greatest royal families developed – the Capetian House of the Kings of Portugal.
During the Roman occupation, the area of today’s Concelho de Bragance was densely populated. For a time, Brigantia was named Juliobriga by Imperator Augustus in homage to his uncle Julius Caesar.
On the hill overlooking the new town, sheltered by its ramparts, you can still see the medieval city that became a duchy in 1442, the fiefdom of the House of Braganza. This family, which had claimed the crown since the country’s occupation by Philip II of Spain, ruled Portugal from 1640 until the revolution of 1910, and Brazil from 1822 to 1889. During this period, the title of Duke of Braganza was given to the heir to the throne.
Location and climate
Bragança lies along a branch of the Río Sabor to the south of the Sierra de la Culebra. It is 255 km east-northeast of Porto, 515 km from Lisbon and just 22 km from the Spanish border. The town lies at an altitude of 700 m and is the furthest district capital from Lisbon, the country’s capital. The town of Bragança is the seat of the municipality, which is made up of two municipalities, Sé and Santa Maria.
How to get to Bragança
🛫 By plane: Bragança’s nearest airport is Bragança Airport (BGC), around 7.1 kilometers from the town. Other nearby airports include Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto, which is a major international airport, and Vila Real Airport (VRL), which is around 106.88 kilometers from Bragança. For international travelers, Porto airport is probably the most convenient, offering flights to many international destinations.
🚄 By train: Unfortunately, Bragança doesn’t have a train station and is far enough from the rail network that there are no practical ways of getting there by train. The Tua line, which used to link Tua to Bragança, was closed in 2018.
🚗 By car or motorhome: If you’re driving from Porto to Bragança, you can take the A4, which is a freeway that crosses northern Portugal. If you’re driving from Lisbon to Bragança, you can take the A1 to Porto, then the A4 to Bragança. For international travelers, it could be possible to drive from Spain by taking the A52 to the Portuguese border, then taking the IP4 or A4 to Bragança.
When should you take a RoadTrip to Bragança?
Bragança’s climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and cold winters. The maximum temperature in Bragança averages 19°C over the year, ranging from 9°C in January to 30°C in August. Average annual rainfall is 1171mm, with a minimum of 17mm in August and a maximum of 145mm in December.
The climate is pleasant for a trip to Bragança from June to September, but the weather is really ideal in July and August. Here is a summary table of average weather conditions by month:
| Month | Average temperature (°C) | Precipitation (mm) | Weather emoji | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°/9° | 144 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
| February | 1°/11° | 124 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
| March | 3°/14° | 112 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
| April | 5°/17° | 113 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
| May | 9°/21° | 103 | ☀️ | Unfavorable |
| June | 13°/25° | 65 | ☀️ | Favorable |
| July | 15°/30° | 25 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| August | 14°/30° | 17 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| September | 12°/26° | 68 | ☀️ | Favorable |
| October | 9°/20° | 129 | ☀️ | Unfavorable |
| November | 5°/13° | 130 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
| December | 2°/10° | 145 | ☔️ | Very unfavorable |
In conclusion, if you’re planning to visit Bragança, the summer months are the ideal time to enjoy the fine weather. However, if you prefer to avoid the crowds, the spring and autumn months also offer pleasant weather conditions.
Sleeping spots and motorhome service areas in Bragance (Bragança)
The town of Bragança has a motorhome service area with grey and black water drainage, where you can also fill up with water. The spot is ideal, as it’s at the foot of the castle overlooking the town center, which in itself deserves to be in this area. And it’s free! (hoping it still is).
In low season, it’s quite possible to park close to the campsite, in the parking lot facing the lagoon, which is obviously an ideal location. Another spot can be found at the side of the road.
There are no service areas in town, so you have two options: the private service area on the Route 66 from Fuseta to Moncarapacho.
What to do in Bragança
Bragança offers visitors a wide range of interesting activities. On a sunny day, you can spend a morning exploring the castle. The first historical mention of the latter dates back to the 12th century. Bragança Castle dominates the town center and was built to protect the inhabitants from foreign invasions. Today, it houses a military museum that traces the city’s rich history.
Montesinho Nature Park is located near Bragança, offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover the wild, unspoilt nature of this part of Portugal. Here you can observe rare birds and wild animals such as deer and wild boar. Guided walks are available to explore this unspoilt beauty.
Finally, don’t miss the typical cultural activities offered by the Municipal Cultural Center: classical and modern concerts, plays, temporary art exhibitions and dance performances are organized throughout the year.
Where to eat in Bragança
The local cuisine is varied, with typical Portuguese dishes such as salt cod (bacalhau) stuffed with seafood, or grilled pork served with sweet potatoes (lechona).
Some are within the castle grounds, but if you head into the city center, you’ll find a varied selection of restaurants and bars to suit all budgets. Modern urban restaurants offer a chic setting for tourists, while traditional cafés offer family dishes at affordable prices.
In fact, it was the menu that was €10, not just the main course, and we could even have had dessert, which we didn’t pay for because we thought we had to pay for it. To sum up, Bragance is very affordable.
See the Vanlife video on the visit to Bragança
Conclusion: Why visit Bragança
On the Spanish border, Bragança has the advantage of a free service area for motorhomes, as well as some very good free restaurants. If you’re visiting north-east Portugal, we sincerely invite you to stop off here.
Photo by Leandro Silva on Unsplash
FAQ
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What is Bragança in Portugal?
Bragance, or Bragança in Portuguese, is a picturesque town in the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. It is famous for its historic castle and rich cultural heritage. It was here that one of Europe’s greatest royal families developed, the Capetian House of the Kings of Portugal.
Where can I park my motorhome in Bragança?
Bragance has a service area for motorhomes with grey and black water drainage, where you can also fill up with water. The spot is ideal because it’s at the foot of the castle overlooking the town center. What’s more, it’s free.
What is the typical cuisine in Bragança and where can you eat?
The local gastronomy is varied and offers typical Portuguese dishes such as salt cod (bacalhau) stuffed with seafood or grilled pork served with sweet potatoes (lechona). You can find a varied selection of restaurants and bars to suit all budgets in the city center.
What activities are available in Bragança?
Bragança offers visitors a wide range of interesting activities. You can spend a morning exploring the castle, visiting the Montesinho Nature Park, or taking part in the typical cultural activities offered by the Municipal Cultural Center.
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