Eurocities Annual Conference 2025 Braga cover image

Study Visits – All you need to know

Discover how Braga and its surroundings are leading the way in innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. Our study visits on 4 and 6 June showcase impactful local initiatives, cutting-edge technology, and cultural heritage.

πŸ“ Meeting Point for All Visits: Forum Braga

Study Visit Overview - 4 June

Visit 1 – Human Power Hub: Social Innovation Center of Braga

Explore how the Human Power Hub serves as a driver of social innovation in Braga. This visit includes:

  • Tours of collaborative workspaces

  • Conversations with local social entrepreneurs

  • Showcases of initiatives promoting sustainability, inclusion, and community empowerment

Visit 2 – Viva o Bairro & Pulsar Program

This dual visit highlights efforts to strengthen community well-being through:

  • Viva o Bairro: Urban revitalization and public space renewal

  • Pulsar: A physical activity program supporting cancer patients’ rehabilitation and social integration

Together, these initiatives show how health and urban renewal go hand-in-hand.

Visit 3 – INL: Iberian International Nanotechnology Laboratory

Take an exclusive look inside a world-class research institution at the forefront of nanotechnology innovation. Key highlights:

  • Insight into interdisciplinary scientific projects

  • Learn how INL addresses major societal challenges through advanced research
    πŸ“Œ Note: Please bring a valid ID document for entry.

Visit 4 – Gnration & Startup Braga

Experience Braga's dynamic innovation ecosystem:

  • At Gnration, explore the intersection of art and technology

  • At Startup Braga, see how the city supports startups in AI, biotech, and sustainability with global ambitions

This visit is a must for those interested in creative industries and entrepreneurship.

Visit 5 – Municipal Market

Immerse yourself in Braga’s local culture through a guided tour of the Municipal Market. Discover:

  • Sustainable practices in local commerce

  • The role of traditional markets in community support and heritage preservation

Visit 6 – Walk with the National Capital of Culture: Braga 2025

An urban and cultural journey through five key neighborhoods:

  • Explore Contra-Quiosque exhibition spaces — repurposed kiosks now hosting artworks from underrepresented communities

  • Discover temporary architectural installations in urban gardens as part of the Shape of Neighbourhood Architecture and Art Festival

  • Engage with local stories and meet residents shaping Braga’s evolving identity

πŸ“ Route includes: Fujacal, Fontainhas, Quinta da Capela, Makro, Parretas, Quinta da Armada, Lameiras & S. Vicente

Study Visit Overview – 6 June

Visit to Guimarães – 2026 European Green Capital

Departure: 14:00 from Forum Braga
Return: 17:00 to Forum Braga

Explore how Guimarães is transforming historic preservation into a springboard for green, digital, and social innovation. Highlights include:

  • NZEB public buildings built on a “Do No Harm” philosophy

  • Retention basins protecting UNESCO heritage areas from flooding

  • The Landscape Laboratory, a joint venture between the Municipality of Guimarães and local universities, advancing research and environmental education

Guides will be holding signs to help participants navigate groupings.

Visit to Porto – Tradition Meets Innovation

Departure: 14:00 from Forum Braga
Return: 19:00 to Forum Braga

Experience Porto's cultural and literary heritage, success stories in urban regeneration and commercial revitalisation, and finish the evening with a scenic stroll overlooking the Douro River.

Highlights of the visit:

  • Mercado do Bolhão
  • Museu Romântico
  • Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

Guides will be holding signs to help participants navigate groupings.

Porto.Card

If you registered to receive a Porto.Card to explore Porto during the weekend of June 7-8, please note  that your card will be available at the registration desk at Forum Braga. Don’t forget to request it when you collect your badge on-site.