By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 10:30 BST, 2 May 2025 | Updated: 10:30 BST, 2 May 2025

Jet2 has announced it’s launching exciting new city breaks to one of Portugal’s prettiest hidden gems. 

The holiday company will offer city breaks to Braga from Birmingham and Manchester in summer 2025. 

Holidays to Braga will also be available from Newcastle Airport in summer 2026. 

Jet2CityBreaks will fly holidaymakers to Porto Airport, which is around 40 minutes drive from Braga. 

Tourists will be able to choose from a range of four and five-star hotels for accommodation. 

‘With many religious sites offering beautiful architecture and a young and vibrant university population, Braga offers something for everyone,’ says Jet2CityBreaks. 

And while it might not be as famous as Lisbon or the Algarve, Braga is definitely worth a visit. 

The destination, which is one of the oldest cities in the country, is often known as the ‘Portuguese Rome’ due to its Roman origins. 

Jet2 has announced it's launching exciting new city breaks to one of Portugal's prettiest hidden gems

Jet2 has announced it’s launching exciting new city breaks to one of Portugal’s prettiest hidden gems

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is located just outside Braga and is a famous Catholic shrine. The hilltop UNESCO heritage site is reached by climbing three beautiful Baroque staircases

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is located just outside Braga and is a famous Catholic shrine. The hilltop UNESCO heritage site is reached by climbing three beautiful Baroque staircases

It’s renowned in Portugal for its many churches and its Romanesque cathedral is the oldest in the country. 

The Cathedral of Braga was actually built several decades before Portugal was even founded.  

Lonely Planet says: ‘The constant charming of bells is a reminder of Braga’s age-old devotion to the spiritual world. Its religious festivals are famous throughout Portugal.’ 

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is located just outside Braga and is known for its Catholic shrine. 

The hilltop UNESCO heritage site is reached by climbing three beautiful Baroque staircases. 

But if 573 stairs sound like a little too much to tackle, tourists can also opt to reach the site via funicular. 

Lonely Planet adds: ‘But don’t come expecting piety alone: Braga’s upscale old centre is packed with lively cafes and trim boutiques, some excellent restaurants and low-key bars catering to students from the Universidade do Minho.’ 

Foodies won’t want to leave without sampling ‘Bacalhau a Braga’, a local delicacy made of salted cod, sauteed onions and potatoes. 

Lonely Planet says: 'But don't come expecting piety alone: Braga's upscale old centre is packed with lively cafes and trim boutiques'

Lonely Planet says: ‘But don’t come expecting piety alone: Braga’s upscale old centre is packed with lively cafes and trim boutiques’

The destination, which is one of the oldest cities in the country, is often known as the 'Portuguese Rome' due to its Roman origins

The destination, which is one of the oldest cities in the country, is often known as the ‘Portuguese Rome’ due to its Roman origins

For dessert, tourists can opt for a pudim adade de Priscos which is a rich creme caramel pudding with one very unusual ingredient. 

Created by an abbot in the 19th century, the pudding contains a whopping 15 egg yolks and bacon. 

While its location in northern Portugal means tourists can’t expect to enjoy the Algarve’s warm weather there, average highs in July can reach 24 degrees in Braga. 

And it’s not the only destination that’s getting easier to reach. 

easyJet recently launched direct flights to a beautiful Mediterranean island with stunning beaches. 

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Jet2 launches city breaks to beautiful hidden gem dubbed ‘Rome of Portugal’

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