Practical Information
Travel
The details about the conference venue can be found here.
How to reach Braga
By plane. The closest airport is in Porto. To come from Porto Airport to Braga, there are three options: by bus, by train or by taxi/Uber.
(By bus) There is a regular coach service, GetBus, between Porto airport and the Braga coach station. The journey takes 50 min and has no stops. Further information about the schedule and prices can be found here. To ensure seat availability it is advisable to buy the ticket on-line (follow the previous link). Other coach services such as FlixBus also offer direct connections between Porto Airport and Braga.
(By train) At Porto Airport there is a metro station ("Aeroporto") with direct connections to the railway station "Campanhã" (check here for more information). In Campanhã follow the signs to the railway station and get the train to Braga. See here.
(By taxi/Uber) Ubers are relatively cheap and plentiful in Portugal, nevertheless, the journey from Porto Airport to Braga takes about 45-50 minutes. Expect to pay €50-70 for an Uber.
From Lisbon Airport. If you arrive at Lisbon Airport, take the metro to "Oriente" station and there take the train at "Oriente" railway station.
By train. There are frequent connections to Porto (urban trains). From Lisbon and other main Portuguese cities there are also a few direct trains ("alfa pendular"), and many other trains to Porto Campanhã railway station, where you can get a connection to Braga. See the schedule here.
How to reach the University Campus (Campus de Gualtar)
From Braga Train Station: Bus number "43 - Estação C.P. - Universidade do Minho" runs directly from Train Station to the University Campus (note that the Bus stop is just in front of the entry point to the University). You can find the schedule here.
From Braga Bus Terminal: From Braga Bus Terminal there is no direct Bus to the University of Minho. The easiest way is to take a taxi or Uber or other similar service.
By Car. The entry point for the visitors is from the main gate of the University (check the map here and here). At the check post you must inform security that you are attending this conference in School of Sciences, Building 6, and you will be directed to a parking lot.
From the city center, one can get to the University on foot or by City Bus. On foot it takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
If you prefer to walk, from Senhora-a-Branca Square continue in the Rua de São Victor and Rua Dom Pedro V to reach to a overhead bridge. After crossing the overhead bridge, continue straight forward to Rua Nova de Santa Cruz and this will lead you to the main entrance of the University.
If you prefer to take bus, go to Senhora-a-Branca Square in front of Residencial Dora from where Bus Number 24 goes to the University. You can find the bus schedule here.
Restaurants
The Minho region is reknowned for its food and most restaurants in Braga are quite good. Here are some examples of places where a good meal can be enjoyed
Typical restaurants and traditional dishes
Adega Malhoa (historic city center)
Cozinha da Sé (historic city center)
Félix Taberna (historic city center)
Restaurant Brac (city center)
Restaurant Centurium (Hotel Bracara Augusta, city center)
Restaurant Inácio (Ignácio, city center)
Restaurant do Sameiro “O Maia” (Sameiro - uphill)
Retrokitchen (historic city center)
Silvas Bar (familiar style)
Taberna Belga (for the particular and typical “francesinha”)
Taberna Londrina (for the particular and typical “francesinha”)
Taberna Tabique (historic city center)
Tia Isabel (in the way from the University Campus to the city center)
Velhos Tempos Taberna (historic city center)
Vegan or Vegetarian
Anjo Verde: Vegetarian restaurant in the city center with some vegan options. It also offers 2 non-vegetarian options for non-vegetarian companions.
Divino Grão: Vegan restaurant very close to the main entrance of the University of Minho. Cheap prices. Closed for dinner.
Gosto Superior: Vegetarian restaurant in the city center
Semente: Macrobiotic restaurant in the city center and close to the train station. It opens only for lunch.
Shanti: Vegetarian restaurant, with several vegan options, very close to the main entrance of the University of Minho. Cheap prices.
Sightseeing
A good starting point is the Tourism Office and the City Hall website. Below we leave some suggestions.
What to see in Braga?
In the historical city center
Sé of Braga: it was built in the 11th century, historically the first cathedral of Portugal.
Garden of Santa Barbara: a public garden, which is definitely one of the most colourful spots of Braga.
Largo do Paço: It is constituted by different buildings that were the former archbishop's residence. As a curiosity, the woman on top of the fountain in the middle of the square represents the city of Braga. Currently one of the buildings hosts the rectory of the University of Minho.
Theatro Circo: A beautiful theatre in the city center. On the 9th and 10th of February there will be the music show A Ciranda, free entry.
Museu dos Biscainhos: A collection of Baroque furniture and ceramics, paintings, glassworks, and porcelain, located in a residential palace from the 17th century. Free entry to the gardens.
Outside the historical city center
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte: One of the main highlights of Braga. Reachable by bus N. 2 from the city center and the university. A typical Portuguese vertical tram can be taken to reach the church on the summit, which is otherwise reachable by walking through the famous stairway.
São Martinho de Tibães Monastery: A historical benedictine monastery, located just 6 km outside of Braga. Probably the best transport option is by private car or taxi. The monastery also has some fascinating gardens, which can be visited independently from the monastery.
Outside Braga
Cities of Guimarães, Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, and the National Park Peneda-Gerês.
Hikes and sports in Braga
Rodovia Park is located 10 minutes walk from the University. It offers different sport facilities, including a fitness circuit, a climbing tower, and a skate park, freely accessible at any time.
Some hikes around Braga
Senda dos Galos (7.2 km, easy)
Trilho dos Bosques do Rio Este (10 km, easy)
Accommodation
We expect that most of the participants will be lodged at the following hotels (in alphabetical order)
Hotel Bracara Augusta**** ENG PT
Hotel Braga Lamaçães*** ENG
With the exception of Hotel Braga Lamaçães, which is very close to the University, these hotels are in the city center and very close to each other. They are within walking distance from the Train Station and the Bus Terminal, but when traveling with heavy luggage it is better to take a taxi or an Uber.
Information will be provided to conference participants about prices and deals.
Other options in the city center are
A cheap lodging option is
Pousada da Juventude de Braga ENG PT
There is also another hotel which is very close to the University Campus