Braga is the ideal place for the history buff and culture-focused explorer. Despite being the third largest city in Portugal, Braga differs from the other popular towns by being less touristy, having a more authentic Portuguese feel, and generally being more calm. Braga offers a high quality of life, thanks to its proximity to natural beauty, its modern aspects, its focus on cultural heritage and preservation, its emphasis on education and innovation, access to great healthcare facilities, and the cost of living, which is lower compared to Lisbon and nearby Porto, according to Numbeo.

The University of Minho is an excellent higher education institution with one campus in Braga, with another campus in the neighbouring town of Guimarães. The prestigious school is recognised for its research centres, innovation, and diverse programs. Aside from the University of Minho, Braga has several public and at least 3 private schools.

Braga is one of the safest places to live in Portugal, with a very low crime rate. This means that everyone feels safe to walk around and explore, even at night, and locals feel comfortable with the support provided by the local authorities.

Braga is a walkable and bicycle-friendly city, and in the historic centre where parking can be challenging, it’s recommended to choose these two options to get around. Alternatively, there is a good public transport network for buses in Braga. To get to other cities in Portugal, you can take the train or bus. 

Although not as big as Porto or Lisbon, Braga is still a remarkable city with lots of activities, and with less traffic and tourists compared to the other cities. Life in Braga has many advantages, such as affordability, cultural events and attractions, nature activities nearby, and good climate. Braga is not as hot as the south of Portugal, so its summers are milder, but it can still have high temperatures with dry and stuffy weather. Braga's winters tend to be rainier and slightly colder than the more southern cities like Lisbon.

Braga is thriving when it comes to business. Most job opportunities can be found in the IT sector, but there are also large international companies that offer customer service jobs for multiple languages, particularly French, German, Spanish, and English. There is also a bit of entrepreneurship happening in Braga, particularly in the tech sector. Other notable industries are tourism, manufacturing, and education and research.