10 Things to Do and See in Coimbra

If you have already visited the more touristy spots in Portugal, it's time to discover Coimbra, a small gem nestled inland in the north, where you will find the most precious and authentic Lusitanian soul.

Many know it for its prestigious University, the oldest in Portugal and one of the first founded in Europe, but not everyone knows that it was in Coimbra that the Portuguese royal dynasty was born. In one of its most famous churches, the Igreja de Santa Cruz, lie the first two kings in the history of the country.

In the historic center of Coimbra, a winding network of steep cobbled streets connects broad squares and covered patios, while buildings and medieval and Renaissance palaces proudly display the dusty marks of time, as the charm of their past stories replaces their apparent neglect.

The slightly metaphysical atmosphere of Coimbra will transport you back in time, leading you to its medieval origins.

You will notice it when you spot groups of students wrapped in cloaks and black clothing: they are **the university students who still love to wear the traje académico, the traditional black gown.

But that's not all. It seems that the daily life of Coimbra is still marked by the rhythms of ancient university celebrations and student rituals that involve, on many occasions, the entire city, turning into true folkloric events.

Despite the small size of this city, there is much to see in Coimbra, such as its two cathedrals and three monasteries that encompass incredible stories, or its parks along the banks of the Mondego River that flows through the city.

On this page, we invite you to discover the 10 things to do and see in Coimbra during a weekend or vacation.

1

The University of Coimbra is not like any other university. Founded in 1290, it represents the first academic center in Portugal and one of the oldest university institutions in Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The oldest and most monumental building is located within the ancient royal medieval palace at Paço das Escolas, in the upper city, where in 1537 King João III definitively moved the university from Lisbon.

Arriving at the grand square of the Old University during a stroll through the historic center of Coimbra is a very suggestive experience.

You will feel immersed in an atmosphere that has magically remained intact from a bygone era.

It won't be hard to spot some university students who still love to wear the typical traje académico, that is the ancient black gown made up of a cloak, black suit, and cap.

They usually walk in groups and sometimes stop to sing and play some traditional melodies with guitars and tambourines.

You may be surprised to know that the young students of Coimbra, many of whom are international students in the Erasmus program, are still closely linked to university rituals that date back to the Middle Ages, such as the Queima das Fitas, the famous "Burning of the Ribbons" which involves burning, at the end of the year, the long ribbons of academic caps during a night serenade of fado and a procession of floats.

Other important buildings to note in the university square are: the Joanina Library and the Chapel of São Miguel. The Joanina Library is a splendid baroque palace, featuring elegant interior halls with wooden and gold ceilings, whose walls are entirely lined with shelves of books (more than 300,000 from the 16th to the 18th century).

The Chapel of São Miguel, built in 1517, is another architectural jewel in baroque style, characterized by the wonderful azulejos that adorn the walls of the nave and chancel.

Standing guard over this symbolic university square, where knowledge, traditions, and rituals of medieval Coimbra converge, are two important symbols: the clock tower, 34 meters tall and now an emblem of the city, and the imposing statue of King João III.

Visiting Information

Address:Paço das Escolas, in the Upper City of Coimbra

How to get there: On footOpening hours:University:

from November to mid-March

Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PMSaturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

from mid-March to October

every day from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Admission price: from 2 to 12 euros depending on the guided tour chosen

Joanina Library and São Miguel Chapel: open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Admission price: 3.50 €

2

The Old Cathedral of Coimbra, the Sé Velha, is the oldest and most important testimony of Portuguese Romanesque architecture.

Its massive and imposing appearance and its strongly squared shapes make this church resemble more a fortified medieval castle, as evidenced by the battlements that characterize the higher part of the building and the narrow, elongated windows.

In reality, this architectural choice helps us understand how constant the threat of a probable siege by the Moors was.

Construction of the Old Cathedral began in 1139, when Count Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself the first king of Portugal after the battle of Ourique and chose Coimbra as its capital.

The church was consecrated as a cathedral in 1218 but lost its title in 1772 when the church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was chosen as the New Cathedral.

Today, the old cathedral of Coimbra is known as the Church of the Holy House of Mercy, but it still retains its unmistakable aesthetic and spiritual charm typical of medieval cathedrals.

The architectural appearance of the Sé Velha is very interesting. The external simplicity is enhanced by the Porta Speciosa, a monumental three-level portal built in the 16th century.

The interior is divided into three naves with beautiful decorations of Andalusian tiles on the side altars, while the main altar is in late Gothic style. The cathedral also includes an elegant Gothic-Romanesque cloister.

Visiting Information

Address: Largo Sé Velha, historic center of CoimbraHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM; from April to October until 6:00 PM

Admission price: 2€

3

The New Cathedral of Coimbra, the Sé Nova, is a place of worship with a completely different appearance compared to the medieval Old Cathedral. It was built from 1598 to 1640 by the Jesuits in Renaissance and Baroque style, under the design of architect Baltazar Álvares, and was called the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

The church only became a cathedral in 1772, when Prime Minister Marques de Pombal decided that the diocese should be located in this spacious and splendid architectural structure.

The external facade is inspired by Renaissance and Baroque styles, with light stone and clean, harmonious shapes that evoke those of some 17th-century churches in Rome.

Inside, however, many Baroque elements are present: the altar is richly decorated, the transept and side panels are gilded, and the chapels prevail with Mannerist ornaments.

You can also admire the wooden choir from the Old Cathedral and the baptismal font carved in traditional Manueline style by Pedro and Felipe Henriques.

The New Cathedral of Coimbra is the chosen place for Coimbra's university students to kick off the Queima das Fitas, the end-of-year celebration where students gather to burn the ribbons of their caps in a ritual accompanied by traditional serenades, followed by parades of floats crossing the city center.

Visiting Information

Address: Largo Feira dos Estudantes, historic center of CoimbraHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PMSunday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Admission price: 1€

4

The Monastery of Santa Cruz, which includes the Igreja de Santa Cruz, is located in the central Praça 8 de Maio, next to the Coimbra City Hall, and represents one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was constructed in 1131 by the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, the most important monastic community in Portugal.

In this monastery are buried the first two kings of Portugal: King Alfonso I, known as Afonso Henriques the Conqueror, and his son, King Sancho Alfonso, known as Martin the Populator. But that's not all.

The Monastery of Santa Cruz is also renowned as the main center for medieval studies in Portugal. Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most significant religious figures in history and Western culture, was educated within the walls of this Augustinian convent.

The church portal in Manueline Renaissance style - a work by Diogo Boitaca, the architect of the famous Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon - is one of the most fascinating elements, making the entire architectural structure one of the most beautiful examples of Portuguese Renaissance.

Inside the church, note the ceiling decorated with azulejos depicting scenes from the life of Saint Augustine, the red Baroque organ, the finely carved pulpit, and the Renaissance Cloister of Silence, dating back to 1517 and characterized by walls decorated with splendid bas-relief panels and azulejos representing some scenes from the life of Jesus.

Don't miss the Jardim da Manga, another Renaissance cloister characterized by an ancient fountain made up of several domes symbolizing the origin of eternal life.

Visiting Information

Address: Praça 8 de Maio, historic center of CoimbraHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PMSunday from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Admission price: Full 2.50€; Reduced 1.50€

5 On the opposite bank of the Mondego River lies the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, a fascinating gothic convent related to Queen Isabella of Aragon, known as the Rainha Santa, or Holy Queen.

At her behest, the foundation of the monastery began in 1314 to replace a small convent of clarisses, which construction began in 1286 but was never completed.

Unfortunately, the proximity to the river and recurring floods caused continuous damage to the structure, so much so that in the 17th century, King D. João IV decided to build a new monastery in a higher location named the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova.

Since then, the old monastery has been abandoned, and only recently has it been renovated, revealing interesting archaeological finds that can now be admired through an outdoor visitor pathway that allows exploration of the splendid history of this monument.

The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova is the architectural building constructed in 1649 in a higher position to replace the precarious gothic convent built too close to the riverbank.

This monastery in baroque and mannerist style houses the remains of Queen Santa Isabella, which were processionally transferred from the ancient monastery in 1677. It can be said that the entire convent is dedicated to the memory of Queen Isabella.

Her presence is evoked by a polychrome statue located in the church's apse, while her story is told through panels placed in a nave. On the altar, her beautiful silver tomb can be admired, and the sacristy displays her garments.

Visiting Information

Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha

Address: Rua das Parreiras, left bank of the Mondego RiverHow to get there:

On footOpening hours:

From April 1 to October 14: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PMFrom October 15 to March 31: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PMClosed: Monday, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, July 4, and December 25

Admission price: Full 5€; Reduced 3€Monastery of Santa Clara-a-NovaAddress: Calçada Santa Isabel, left bank of the Mondego

How to get there: On footOpening hours: every day from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PMAdmission price: entrance to the cloister 1.50€

6

The National Museum Machado de Castro is one of the most important museums in Portugal, thanks to its prestigious art collection and its symbolic location.

Dedicated to the famous 18th-century Portuguese sculptor Machado de Castro, who originated from Coimbra, the museum is housed in the old Episcopal Palace, which was built on an ancient Roman forum.

The building of the Machado de Castro museum represents a meeting place for the inhabitants of Coimbra and its visitors due to its location, in close contact with the Roman origins of the city.

A splendid Renaissance portico characterizes the patio, a panoramic terrace from which one can enjoy an exclusive view of the Old Cathedral and the lower city up to the river, while the arches and galleries of the fascinating roman imperial cryptoporticus are part of the museum visit that allows one to admire the underground foundations.

The museum's collection is among the most complete in Portugal and includes works of Roman archaeology and architecture, sculptures from antiquity to the medieval period, religious Gothic sculptures, and life-sized Renaissance paintings and statues.

There are also precious items of decorative art, works by Flemish artists, masterpieces of sacred jewelry from the 12th to the 18th century, tapestries, carpets, and furnishings from various styles and epochs, from Manueline to Renaissance, Baroque to Neoclassical.

Visiting Information

Address: Largo Dr José Rodrigues, historic center of CoimbraHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PMWednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PMclosed on January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, July 4, December 24 and 25

Admission price: Full 6€; Cryptoporticus 3€

7

Coimbra is also a city rich in green spaces where one can relax and connect closely with nature. The most beloved place by residents and visitors is the Botanical Garden, a large botanical garden founded in 1772 by the Marquês de Pombal and now belonging to the University of Coimbra.

Its immense surface of 13 hectares, located in the heart of the historic center, includes many varieties of even rare plants, flowers, and trees from different areas of the world.

The garden, which looks much more like a park, allows visitors to enjoy long walks immersed in greenery, among tree-lined paths, fountains, and a terrace rich in magnolias and azaleas that give a romantic touch to the environment.

Among the most interesting areas to visit: the Sierra Grande, one of the oldest iron structures in Portugal where tropical and subtropical plants can be found, such as particular types of orchids and carnivorous plants; the Tropical Corner, with palm trees of various species from all continents, but also the only Portuguese palm from the Algarve; the Cold Greenhouse, with plants suitable for humid climates; the Bamboo Grove.

Another green area of the city is the Green Park of the Mondego, a true revolution in Coimbra's urban landscape as it was created to redevelop and enhance the banks of the Mondego River, but also to act as a "barrier" against potential floods that could still damage the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha.

We are talking about 400,000 square meters dedicated to gardens, bike paths, cafes, and restaurants built on wooden platforms over the river waters, along with playgrounds for children.

On the left bank, meanwhile, an artificial beach has been constructed with volleyball courts, picnic areas, and a dock where boats, pedal boats, or canoes can be rented. The park's main attraction is a gigantic sculpture in the shape of a bear entirely made from artificial grass.

The two banks of the Green Park are connected by the Pedro and Inês pedestrian bridge that crosses the Mondego River, consisting of a wooden platform and metal railings into which colored glass in yellow, blue, green, and pink are inserted. From here, the view of the river and the two banks of Coimbra is truly unique and spectacular.

Visiting Information

Botanical Garden

Address: Calçada Martim de Freitas, historic center of CoimbraHow to get there:

On footOpening hours:

from April 1 to September 30 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PMfrom October 1 to March 31: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PMClosed on December 25, January 1, and during the "Corte da Latada" and "Queima das Fitas" days.

Admission price: Free entry Green Park of the MondegoAddress: Avenida Lousã, right bank of the Mondego RiverHow to get there: On footOpening hours: always openAdmission price: Free entry

8

In Coimbra, there is a place dedicated to the more romantic visitors, where one can learn about the intense and tragic love story between Prince Don Pedro, heir to the Portuguese throne, and his lover Inés de Castro.

This is the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas, literally "estate of tears", once a hunting ground for the royal family, where in 1730 a prestigious residence was built, now converted into a luxury hotel.

According to legend, it is in this enchanted place immersed in greenery that Pedro and Inés lived their clandestine love story, sending letters on the Cano dos Amores, the canal of love fed by the waters of the Fonte dos Amores, the fountain of love.

In this place, a Medieval Garden has also been created to celebrate the most romantic love story in Portugal.

Don Pedro married Constanza of Castile in 1340, who arrived in Coimbra from Burgos accompanied by Inés de Castro, her friend and lady-in-waiting.

Between Pedro and Inés, it was love at first sight, so much so that the two carried on a secret relationship for years until 1355 when King Alfonso IV, Pedro's father, was forced by his advisors to condemn her to death.

Poor Inés was stabbed and died right in the place that then took its name from her tears, just as the Fonte das Lágrimas, a fountain that, according to legend, is formed from the woman's tears when she was murdered.

It is said that traces of her blood are also found among the rocks (but in reality, they are some red algae born in the woods), as well as it is believed that the ghost of Inés still wanders the estate, crying in search of Pedro, her lost love.

A stroll in Quinta das Lágrimas is recommended both to immerse in an idyllic atmosphere and because its gardens host at least fifty different species of plants, flowers, and trees from all over the world, such as sequoias, Himalayan cedars, and a specimen of Kusamaki, a very particular tree native to southern Africa.

Visiting Information

Address: R. Carlos Alberto Pinto de Abreu, left bank of the MondegoHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

from March 16 to November 15, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PMfrom November 16 to March 15, Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMClosed in January

Admission price: Free entry

9

Traveling with kids can spend a few hours in a park designed just for them. Portugal dos Pequenitos is the miniature park where the little ones can learn about Portugal and visit the city of Coimbra while walking and having fun among traditional monuments reproduced to child size.

Founded in 1938 by Portuguese doctor and collector Bissaya Barreto and built by architect Cassiano Branco, the "Portugal of Little Ones" is the first theme park in Portugal.

It was created to make it simple and fun for children to explore the city of Coimbra and other places in Portugal, recreating miniature monuments, historical palaces, attractions, houses, and traditional dwellings.

Inside the park are all the monuments of Coimbra in miniature, such as the famous University, as well as many important monuments that are part of the architectural heritage of the country like the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

You will also find traditional houses from various regions of Portugal, like the regional houses of Algarve, Alentejo, and Douro, and monuments and characteristic places from current Portuguese colonies, such as Madeira and the Azores.

The park also immerses visitors in a journey through the glorious past of the Portuguese Empire, presenting, also in miniature, the places and monuments of former colonies where Portuguese is still spoken, such as Brazil, Macao, Timor, Mozambique, and Angola, where the environments and atmospheres are also recreated.

To further explore other aspects of Portuguese culture, the Museu do Traje (Costume Museum), Museu da Marinha (Navy Museum), and Museu do Mobiliário (Furniture Museum) can also be visited.

Visiting Information

Address: Largo Rossio de Santa Clara, left bank of the MondegoHow to get there: On footOpening hours:

from January 1 to February 28/29 and from October 16 to December 31: from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMfrom March 1 to May 31 and from September 16 to October 15 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PMfrom June 1 to September 15 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Admission price:

Children up to 2 years: free entryChildren aged 3 to 13 years: 5.95€Adults (14-64 years): 9.95€Seniors (65 and over): 5.95€

10

The cuisine of Coimbra, like that found in the inland cities of Portugal, is simple and made from genuine ingredients, coming primarily from the land but also from the sea, which is only about fifty kilometers away.

The typical dishes of Coimbra are, in fact, those based on cod, cooked in many variants, including the bacalhau à brás, where cod is prepared with scrambled eggs, potatoes, black olives, onions, and parsley, as well as the cod fritters (pastéis de bacalhau), which have become very popular and are served as an appetizer.

Among other fish dishes to try are: grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas), roasted octopus (polvo à lagareiro), as well as clams, cuttlefish, squid, and swordfish.

Regarding meat dishes, the most traditional are: cozido à portuguesa, a stew made with beef, chicken, pork, and sausages served with boiled vegetables such as green beans, carrots, and cabbage; and caldo verde, the national Portuguese soup made with kale, spicy sausage, potatoes, and onions.

You cannot return from Coimbra without having tasted the typical dish from northern Portugal: the famous Francesinha. It consists of an enormous sandwich made of two slices of bread filled with sausage, ham, and a beef steak.

It is topped with melted cheese and a fried egg. The dish is served in a bowl with a sauce made from meat broth, tomato, and beer.

Spending one or two nights in Coimbra is the ideal solution to fully enjoy this charming city, visiting its attractions and monuments at a leisurely pace. For your weekend in Coimbra, you can count on a decent choice of accommodations at fairly reasonable prices. Both in high and low season, you can find three-star hotels, bed and breakfasts, and apartments starting at 50/60 euros per night for a double room, even in the historic center.

If you are looking for a hotel in Coimbra, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 215 hotels with prices, photos, and reviews from those who have stayed before you. Go to Booking.com.