Pousada de Braganca - S. Bartolomeu

Really good Pousada close to the old city. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, though lovers of modernisms will probably find them a tad old fashioned. Pool very welcome on hot day, and free help yourself bar with drinks and snacks by pool was a nice touch. Ample free parking. Breakfast excellent. We did not dine in the restaurant, principally as it was closed for one of our two nights and also (and visitors should be aware of this) because no doubt it has a Michelin Star it is, by Portuguese standards, outrageously expensive. There are plenty of superb, more moderately priced places to eat in the town, but you will need transport to reach them.

We stayed 3 nights in a lovely large room with views across the valley to the Castelo which is lit-up at night. Check-in and parking right outside couldn’t have been easier. The room was spacious with enough room for a couple of lounge chairs as well as the balcony with more seating. Best part was the bed and bedding which felt luxurious. Bathroom a decent size and spotlessly clean. A good spread for breakfast with attentive service for hot drinks. If walking, the old town is about 15 minutes away including a long staircase or 20 minutes around the road. The Castelo is a further 15 minute walk up a fairly steep incline. Beware of GPS directions as ours sent us via some very narrow old town streets which was unnecessary. We later saw signposts via main roads which would have been much easier.

Interesting architecture and beautiful rooms overlooking the castle. Staff are super friendly and the restaurant outstandingly good.