Cidade Turismo
Portugal
Coimbra

Coimbra · Portugal

Coimbra

University city on the banks of the Mondego, with one of the oldest universities in Europe, the Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra fado and the Roman ruins of Conímbriga.

Centro

In the photo: Conímbriga

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Coimbra is in central Portugal, on a hill above the Mondego river, halfway between Lisbon and Porto. It was the first capital of the kingdom in the 12th century, and is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1290 and permanently installed in the city in 1537.

The University of Coimbra – Alta e Sofia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. At the top of the hill, the Paço das Escolas includes the Tower, the Sala dos Capelos and the Biblioteca Joanina, a baroque library with gilded woodwork. Around it are the Sé Velha, Romanesque, and narrow streets full of student repúblicas.

In the Baixa, the Mosteiro de Santa Cruz houses the tombs of the first two kings of Portugal. On the other side of the river are the Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha, Portugal dos Pequenitos and the Quinta das Lágrimas, linked to the story of Pedro and Inês. About 16 km away, Conímbriga is one of the largest Roman towns in Portugal.

The city has its own fado, sung by men wearing capa and batina, and in May the student festival Queima das Fitas.

This destination brings together 1 city: Coimbra.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Coimbra is
Coimbra

Contornos: Direção-Geral do Território, CAOP 2025, CC BY 4.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Coimbra

✈ Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO), in Maia · 120 km to Coimbra

The nearest airport is Porto (OPO), about 120 km away; Lisbon is about 200 km. Check before booking. By train, Coimbra is about 1–1.5 hours from Porto and about 1 h 45–2 h from Lisbon.

The local experience

Things to do in Coimbra

Universidade de Coimbra e Paço das Escolas
Coimbra · Coimbra · University

Universidade de Coimbra e Paço das Escolas

Former royal palace on the top of the hill that has housed the University since 1537, with the Tower, the Sala dos Capelos, the Capela de São Miguel and the Biblioteca Joanina. World Heritage Site since 2013.

Biblioteca Joanina
Coimbra · Coimbra · Library

Biblioteca Joanina

Baroque library built between 1717 and 1728, with gilded carved rooms and painted woods and about 60,000 old books. A colony of bats helps protect the books from insects.

Sé Velha de Coimbra
Coimbra · Coimbra · Cathedral

Sé Velha de Coimbra

Romanesque cathedral from the 12th century, with a fortress-like appearance, built after Coimbra became the kingdom's capital. It has a Gothic cloister and a gilded carved altarpiece.

Mosteiro de Santa Cruz
Coimbra · Coimbra · Monastery

Mosteiro de Santa Cruz

Monastery founded in 1131 in the Baixa of Coimbra, which houses the tombs of D. Afonso Henriques and D. Sancho I, the first two kings of Portugal. It is a National Pantheon.

See 5 more places in Coimbra
Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha
Coimbra · Coimbra · Monastery

Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha

Ruins of a 14th-century Gothic monastery on the left bank of the Mondego, abandoned due to river floods and later recovered through excavations. It was where Rainha Santa Isabel was buried.

Portugal dos Pequenitos
Coimbra · Coimbra · Park

Portugal dos Pequenitos

It is a popular outing for families.

Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra
Coimbra · Coimbra · Garden

Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra

Botanical garden created in 1772 by the Marquês de Pombal, on terraces on the hillside, with an iron greenhouse, tree-lined avenues and a woodland of trees from various parts of the world.

Quinta das Lágrimas
Coimbra · Coimbra · Garden

Quinta das Lágrimas

Estate on the left bank of the Mondego linked to the story of Pedro e Inês de Castro, with the Fonte das Lágrimas, Fonte dos Amores and gardens open to visitors. Part of the quinta operates as a hotel.

Conímbriga
Coimbra · Coimbra · Archaeological site

Conímbriga

Ruins of one of the largest Roman towns in Portugal, about 16 km from Coimbra, with mosaics, baths, a wall and the Casa dos Repuxos. It has a monographic museum.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Spring and autumn are usually pleasant. In May, the Queima das Fitas fills the city with students. In the European summer, from July to August, it's hot and there are fewer students. Winter is cold and rainy.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for the University, the Sé Velha and Santa Cruz. With two days you can include the left bank of the Mondego and Conímbriga.

Which city to stay in

The Baixa, near the Mosteiro de Santa Cruz and Rua Ferreira Borges, is flat and has shops and restaurants. The Alta, near the University, has steep streets and a student atmosphere. On the other side of the river, the left bank is calmer.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Coimbra

Can you visit Coimbra between Lisbon and Porto?

Yes, it's the most common stop en route. The train stops at Coimbra-B, with a connection to the city center.

Do you need to reserve the Biblioteca Joanina?

The visit to the Biblioteca Joanina has a timed slot on the university ticket. Buy in advance, especially in the European summer.

How many days to stay in Coimbra?

One day for the essentials; two to include the left bank and Conímbriga.

Do you need a car in Coimbra?

Not for the city. For Conímbriga, 16 km away, use a car, taxi or bus.

Rotas entre países

Coimbra is on the Caminho Português to Santiago on foot

On foot from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela: the pilgrimage route that starts in Lisboa or Porto, follows the yellow arrows and ends at the praça do Obradoiro.

Illustrative map, not to scale. Tap a city to open its page.
Illustrated map of Caminho Português to Santiago on foot
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