Anyone been? Thinking about using this as a base for the Nations League matches.
Thanks.

I don't know about Braga but I am in Porto at the moment and it's fantastic. Great food, not expensive, beautiful beaches and good transport.
We are moving on to Aviero today and I hope it's as good, I will miss here.

Not sure but the actual football stadium is the one with a cliff face behind one goal with no fans there. Very odd ground that's built into the side of a quarry. Only has two sides but still holds 30k or so, the other end is open with panoramic views of the city. Imagine the echo from the cliff makes for decent atmosphere though.

Jel wrote:I don't know about Braga but I am in Porto at the moment and it's fantastic. Great food, not expensive, beautiful beaches and good transport.
We are moving on to Aviero today and I hope it's as good, I will miss here.

Yeah looked at Porto but thought it would be very busy for lots and f reasons.

It's not overly busy at the moment but I suppose it could get that way when the football is on. If there are games on in Porto then Aviero would be a good place, it's an hour into Porto by train and Lisbon is about an hour and 3/4 south too. It's supposed to be a cool place and known as the Venice of Portugal

Went while on a cruise up the Duro a few years ago. Nice enough place but unspectacular. Maybe that's because tour guides automatically shepherd you towards churches and museums -- even if it is 80 degrees. Seem to remember some nice cafes and bars in the central area and, to my mind, the Portuguese people are among the most helpful and pleasant folk in Europe. Porto is much more interesting though and Lisbon is my favourite capital city.

UPDATE! Forget Aviero, we've just arrived and I want to leave again. Not impressed at all!

Everywhere in Portugal is nice. I live in the southwest and have never been to Braga, but I bet it's well worth going there and one thing will definitely be true: the people will be really nice.

I only hope England's fans behave themselves.

We visited Braga when we were staying in northern Portugal - it's quite a nice city- very religious- we went on a Sunday and they were there was mass coming through the loudspeakers in the car park.Theres also a shrine called Bom Jesus were pilgrims go up a steep hill on their knees.Guimares nearby was nicer .We were based in Viana do Castelllo which is gorgeous .

“go up a steep hill on their knees” Sounds like Dirty Weeds attempt to get promotion

Thanks chaps. I may go with Porto then easier for the final too

Porto might be nice normally but with 10 thousand England fans there probably less so.

Visiting Porto tomorrow on the annual 4 days Jolly Boys trip. We were going to watch SC Braga and have a day in the town but surprisingly (having been told weeks ago by the ticket office we had little chance) managed this week to get 6 tickets for Porto v S.Lisbon (2nd v 3rd) and a slim chance if Benfica slip up of watching Porto winning the league. Tickets cost 25 euros and surprisingly loads still left on line on the club website. Strange that in Portugal their final weeks matches are played from Thursday to Sunday. Clearly no corruption then in the Portuguese league!! Ahem!!!!

First trip away watching England. Travelling to Porto for the NationsI League Finals and staying in Porto, we've got final tickets, just need England to overcome Holland, otherwise it will be watching the third and fourth place game. Anybody know which area of Porto the England fans are likely to going for a pre match drink.

GeorgeBoydsHeadBand wrote:First trip away watching England. Travelling to Porto for the NationsI League Finals and staying in Porto, we've got final tickets, just need England to overcome Holland, otherwise it will be watching the third and fourth place game. Anybody know which area of Porto the England fans are likely to going for a pre match drink.

With upwards of 10 thousand going shouldn't be too hard to find them! Just head for the main town square and you won't go far wrong.

GeorgeBoydsHeadBand wrote:First trip away watching England. Travelling to Porto for the NationsI League Finals and staying in Porto, we've got final tickets, just need England to overcome Holland, otherwise it will be watching the third and fourth place game. Anybody know which area of Porto the England fans are likely to going for a pre match drink.

With upwards of 10 thousand going shouldn't be too hard to find them! Just head for the main town square and you won't go far wrong.

jrgbfc wrote:With upwards of 10 thousand going shouldn't be too hard to find them! Just head for the main town square and you won't go far wrong.

Point taken, I was just wondering if there may be a designated fan zone for England fans. Thanks anyway.

GeorgeBoydsHeadBand wrote:Point taken, I was just wondering if there may be a designated fan zone for England fans. Thanks anyway.

I don't think so. I was thinking of going myself but left it too late to book flights, bit gutted now. Don't forget the Dutch will probably have decent support there as well. Should be a great few days!

2nd update on Aveiro. It's actually quite good here. Great food, cheap drinks and very laid back. I think I was being too harsh on the place, it didn't help arriving in the evening and the weather was crap.

Just taken a day return from Porto to Braga. 70 min train ride €7 return. For us old fart, culture vultures a wonderful city, probably less so for the younger niteclub and beer monsters.
Probably a two day city at most. The city itself and a day at Bom Jesus(mentioned above) the No.2 bus from the station. There is also the sanctuary of our lady of Sameira, another holy site just outside the city limits.
Enjoyed Porto but very hectic this was a much nicer day, even if we did get drenched. The cathedral is worth a visit just to see the stunning organ.

I'll have to ride up from Lagos. I've never been, despite living in Portugal for over eight years.