Car & Van Hire - Braga

Surrounded by lush countryside, Braga is a charming town and a growing tourism powerhouse in Portugal. While you can explore the cosy city on foot, getting a car hire in Braga helps you get around faster. Visiting Braga is equivalent to travelling back in time. The old city with over 2,000 years of history stands alongside the modern structures marked by innovation and creativity in vital areas like commerce and industry.

History lovers will enjoy exploring ancient structures with religious significance. Since the city is steeped in culture, you can marvel at historical buildings like the Bom Jesus do Monte or visit Braga Cathedral. Riding the Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular gives you impressive views of these structures and the beautiful Portuguese countryside. In the central part of the city, there's plenty of history to explore, from UNESCO heritage landmarks to 18th-century houses.

The historic charm of Braga translates to its local cuisine. If you want to sample the best dishes, start with the local farmer's markets. Duck dishes are quite popular, as are pork, beef and goat meat. Have a taste of the local meats, handcrafted cheese sandwiches, and various snacks. Frigideiras are a Braga speciality, which are pastries stuffed with pork and beef. Lupin beans are excellent delicacies for pairing with other snacks. If you love meat dishes, enjoy them with Aletenjo bread. Alternatively, try sausages like chorizo, which are popular in Braga.

You can access the popular markets in the city with your van hire in Braga. Drive around town to find the malls and small boutique stores. If you are looking for local artefacts and souvenirs, Braga offers a treasure trove of market stalls lining the streets. Check out Cavaquinhos and small guitars, the most popular artisan items made from forged iron. The artefacts are replicates of the ancient items used by the Bracarense in ancient times. Like other areas of Portugal, embroidery, linen, and basket weaving are well-known traditional crafts.

With Braga's long heritage and diverse culture, you can enjoy various festivals and events that make up the annual calendar. One of the biggest events is the Semana Santa religious festival during Easter. Semana Santa is celebrated in the Iberian Peninsula and features processions and activities that mark death and resurrection. If you visit the city in June, watch out for the Braga Romana festival, which recreates a Roman market at the city centre with entertaining ancient activities.

If you are travelling with kids, visit the green spaces in the city. Stop by Parque da Ponte green space, which has an artificial lake with a small fountain at the centre. The park has a children's playground with traditional slides, swings and exercise areas.

Being the 3rd largest city in Portugal, Braga's transportation system is well-connected to other cities. For instance, when driving to Braga, you take the main A3 that runs from north to south. If you drive from the south, you pass by Porto. While driving from the north, you pass by the Spanish border to get to Braga. Simply take the A11 exit eastbound to get to the city centre.

Braga is a relatively small city with a local and intercity bus service. For convenience, consider getting a car hire in Braga to truly appreciate its atmosphere and historical structures.

If you are planning a road trip in and around Braga, ensure you understand the driving requirements in the city. For instance, the minimum driving age is 18 years in Portugal. You drive on the right side and overtake on the left. Be careful not to overtake on the right, which attracts a hefty fine.

Since 2012, electronic toll roads have become widespread in the country, and you need to check for toll charges before using the road. If you want to use a toll road, grab a machine ticket when you enter the road and pay using the Verde system when you leave the road.

The general speed limit in Portugal is 50 km/h in built-up areas. You can drive at 90 km/h on rural roads or up to 120 km/h on motorways. Police are vigilant with speeds and will issue on-the-spot fines. Due to the windy and narrow roads, driving in Portugal can be dangerous for first-timers. Some rural roads are also poorly kept, which takes some getting used to. It is not wise to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is hands-free. Also, ensure you and the passengers have seatbelts.

If you want to explore the city on foot or on a bike, park your car in the parking spots. You can take a bike fitted with baskets for sightseeing and light shopping. Since Braga is compact, you can cycle throughout the city.