A LITTLE-KNOWN town in Portugal has been named Europe’s Emerging Tourism Destination in the Oscars of Travel.
Dubbed the “Oscars of Tourism”, the World Travel Awards has been running since 1993, with winners selected by a system of both votes and verified travel professionals.
Braga, Portugal, beat previous winner Batumi to the top spot in the up-and-coming European destination category.
Set roughly an hour north of Porto, Barga is thought to be one of Portugal’s prime locations of religious significance.
One of its key attractions is Braga Cathedral, which was built in the 11th century, making it the oldest in the country.
In fact, the cathedral was built several centuries before Portugal became a country
Other religious attractions include Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte, a neighbouring shrine.
Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte is thought to be one of the most photographed churches in the world because of the series of steps leading up to its entrance.
There are other tourist attractions in Braga, including Santa Barbara Garden, a public garden that’s open throughout the year.
Other attractions include the Archbishop’s Palace and the Arco da Porta Nova, which acts as the entrance to the town’s historic centre.
Braga is also home to several trendy cafes like Soul – Alimentação Saudável e do Bem, which serves typical brunch dishes.
Holidaymakers can book hotel rooms in Barga from £65 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
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One place holidaymakers can book to stay is INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro – a new hotel in the heart of the city.
Braga is a 40-minute drive from Porto Airport, where direct flights operate from the UK.
Ryanair operates direct services from Bristol and Manchester to Porto, with one-way fares starting from £15 in September.
There are plenty of other lesser-known and unusual places to visit throughout Portugal too.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has published its newest list of Best Tourism Villages for 2023.
Ericeira can be found along the western coast of Portugal, about 30 north of Lisbon.
It has become popular among surfers and received World Surfing Reserve recognition in 2011.
However, its beaches offer more than just big waves, including Praia do Sul, which Ericeira Family Adventures say is the best for families to enjoy a day out.
They said: “This beach has a wading pool at low tide which makes it a fab place to have an ice cream and watch the kids splash around and fish for crabs.”
Set on the central coast of Portugal, Aveiro is known for its canals, colourful boats, nouveau architecture, and fishing industry.
Because of these similarities, the Portuguese port city has been compared to Venice for many years.
While the canals and boats are rather similar, the prices at bars, restaurants, and hotels are significantly better value – making a trip to Aveiro much cheaper.
Meanwhile, Comporta has been hailed as Portugal’s best beach – even attracting the likes of Madonna.
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There are other lesser-known destinations that shouldn’t be overlooked, including Estremoz in Alentejo.
The city has been dubbed the “white city” thanks to the colour of its houses and the deposits of white marble that it produces.
