Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga: The Baroque Stairway

Bom Jesus do Monte, on a wooded hill above Braga, is one of Portugal’s great baroque sights. A monumental zigzag stairway of granite and white plaster climbs to a sanctuary church, past fountains, chapels and statues. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: Bom Jesus is about 6km east of Braga’s centre. Take a city bus or a taxi to the bottom of the hill. Then climb the stairway or ride the historic water-powered funicular up and walk down. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, including the park at the top. Entry to the sanctuary and grounds is free. See Braga tours from Porto.

What to see

• The stairway: zigzag flights of steps themed on the Stations of the Cross, the Five Senses and the Three Virtues, with fountains and statues on each landing.
• The sanctuary church: a neoclassical church at the top, with views back over Braga.
• The funicular: opened in 1882 and still powered by water counterweights, one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
• The park: woodland paths, grottos and a small boating lake at the top.

Nearby

• Sameiro sanctuary: a larger Marian sanctuary higher up the hill, with even wider views.
• Braga: the cathedral and historic centre. See Braga and Guimarães.
• Peneda-Gerês: about an hour away. See Peneda-Gerês.

Tips

• Funicular up, stairs down: the easiest way to see the whole stairway.
• Stay on the hill: there are hotels at the top, peaceful once visitors leave. See where to stay in Braga.
• Photos: the best view of the stairway is from the bottom landings.

More: UNESCO sites in Portugal and the most Instagrammable places in Portugal.

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