Braga, Portugal 🇵🇹
#817
,
Nomad Score:
72%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Braga is a vibrant city located in northern Portugal, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. |
| 👥 Population | approx. 181,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average download speed of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include MEO, NOS, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards widely accepted, and N26, Revolut are popular among expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in stores and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com are ideal for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Araucaria offers dorms starting at €15 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The historic city center, with easy access to landmarks. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The City Center and the Nogueiró area, offering quiet environments. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cowork Braga - Offers a flexible workspace with good facilities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café A Brasileira - Great atmosphere and Wi-Fi for working remotely. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com hosts various networking events in the city. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Braga Expat Community on Facebook organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt is popular and affordable in Braga. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Braga has various bike rental services; e-bikes available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia de Ofir, about 30 minutes away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Tap Air Portugal offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ryanair and EasyJet operate in Porto, the nearest airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A3 and A11 highways provide easy access to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Braga Train Station connects to major cities like Porto and Guimarães. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus passes available through local transport services. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent train and bus services connect Braga to Porto, Guimarães, and Viana do Castelo. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de Braga is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Bamboo Yoga Studio offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Solinca is a well-equipped gym in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava e Leva provides laundry services across Braga. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats delivers a variety of restaurants in Braga. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Francesinha', a local sandwich. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café Tuga offers a dedicated vegan menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Confetaria do Campo offers local pastries like Pastéis de Nata. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Municipal de Braga offers local produce at great prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local commercial sites alongside Amazon are available. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Continente and Pingo Doce offer online grocery shopping. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rua do Souto is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveja Sá da Bandeira offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Room specializes in local Vinho Verde selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Check out Rua da Mãe de Água for various food trucks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurante Tio Faleiro offers excellent Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Santuario do Bom Jesus do Monte is a stunning pilgrimage site. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu dos Biscainhos showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Braga Cathedral is one of Portugal's oldest religious structures. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus and Sameiro Sanctuary are noteworthy. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Holy Week in Braga is a significant cultural event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The city center features vibrant street art and historical architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theatrical shows are held at Theatro Circo. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Braga’s historic market offers artisanal goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found in various cafes on weekends. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Braga has several murals in the city center that celebrate local culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Euphoria Cooking Classes offers Portuguese cuisine workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Centrally located galleries showcase local and modern art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palácio da Justiça is an architectural highlight. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Braga celebrates its Roman heritage proudly through various events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque da Cidade offers walking paths and scenic spots. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Peneda-Gerês National Park is an hour away, perfect for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Ecopista do Cávado is a popular cycling route. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Bom Jesus offers spectacular elevated views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The nearby Barragem de Queimadela is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Areas around the waterfall at River Ave have bonfire spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | CTT Correios is the main postal service. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like iShop offer device repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Camões offers Portuguese language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Biblioteca Pública de Braga is a quiet study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural de Braga hosts many social activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | There are a few gaming cafes in the city center. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Braga has no casinos, but nearby Porto has options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €108,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 28% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system applies to residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 48% |
| 🧾 VAT | 23% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Portugal has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 10% flat tax on foreign income under certain conditions. |