Braga is famous for its churches and with 30 of them you could say they are the city’s main attraction. The Cathedral was built in Romanesque style in the 11th century and was enriched with Manueline sculptures in the 14th century. Other outstanding churches are the Misericordia Church built in Italian Renaissance style during the 16th century, Santa Cruz that features a rococo façade, Sao Joao de Souto dating back to the 18th century and the Capela da Conceiçao from the 16th century.
The best monument in Braga is actually 6 km from the city, the Bom Jesus Baroque steps that, dotted with chapels, fountains and statues, symbolize the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. The steps take up to the church set on top of the hill surrounded by gardens dating back to 15th century.
Other interesting sites are the Paço Episcopal, formed by three buildings built between the 14th and 17th centuries housing one of the largest libraries in Portugal with 300000 books and 10000 manuscripts, some of which go as far back as the 9th century, the 14th century Torre de Menagem in the city’s square, which is all that remains of the original fortifications and the Senhora de Sameiro, which is the third most visited pilgrim locations in Portugal.