Mercure Braga Centro

Mercure Braga Centro carries the name of an international hotel brand, and as the word Centro in its name suggests, it aims at travellers who want to be close to the middle of Braga. Mid-range hotels of this kind are the workhorses of a city break: the rooms are modern and predictable, the front desk is staffed for long hours, breakfast is served as a buffet and the price sits comfortably between a simple guesthouse and a spa hotel. Braga rewards a stay of two or three nights, with the cathedral, the Roman remains, the old squares, the Baroque stairway at Bom Jesus and the day trip to Guimaraes, and a central hotel makes it easy to go back for a rest in the afternoon and head out again for dinner. Rooms normally include air conditioning, a desk, a television, a private bathroom and a choice of double or twin beds, and some hotels of this type offer larger rooms for families or longer stays. Because details differ by room type and by season, check what is included in your rate when you book, including breakfast, cancellation terms and any local tax collected at the hotel. Ask about the floor and the side of the building if you prefer a quiet room, since central streets can be busy in the evening, particularly at weekends and during festivals.

How to use it. Plan your first day on foot from the hotel: walk to the cathedral, wander through the lanes of the historic centre, stop for coffee and pastry in one of the old cafes, and then take a taxi or a bus up to Bom Jesus do Monte in the late afternoon, when the light is soft and the crowds thin.

The following day can be given to Guimaraes by train, bus or tour, and the third to the Geres national park or the vinho verde country. Look at the map when you book to see the walk from the hotel to the cathedral and to the railway and bus stations.

Practical points. If you are arriving by car, ask the hotel about parking, because parking in the centre is limited and the streets are narrow. Holy Week and the Sao Joao festival in June bring crowds and higher prices, so book early for those dates. Rates are generally lower than in Porto, and the shoulder seasons offer the best combination of weather and price. Carry a little cash for small cafes, although cards are widely accepted.

Who is it for? Couples and friends on a short city break, business travellers who also want to see the sights, and independent visitors who like a familiar brand and a central address. It is less suited to travellers who want a historic palace or a countryside manor, which are better found in the Guimaraes and Ponte de Lima hotels elsewhere on this page. Compare the price with other central hotels in Braga, read recent guest comments, and confirm the details that matter to you before you book.