Welcome to Portugal’s most famous university city! Nestled on the banks of the Mondego River, the charming city of Coimbra is a must-visit on any trip around Portugal.
The top attraction is undoubtedly the impressive university, famous worldwide, especially for its iconic library. But there’s so much more to explore in Coimbra.
Curious about what Coimbra has to offer and looking for some travel advice? Great, you’ve found the perfect spot on our travel blog. In this travel guide, We’ll show you the most beautiful sights in Coimbra and share our personal travel tips.
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1. Coimbra in Portugal: Quick Tips at a Glance
Fun Facts and Essential Info About Coimbra
- Coimbra, positioned in the interior of Portugal, stands as one of the nation’s most significant cities, having even served as the capital of Portugal.
- Coimbra equals university city—and rightly so! It’s home to Portugal’s oldest university and one of the oldest in Europe. Out of the 140,000 residents, about a quarter are students. Pretty impressive, right? The university isn’t just an educational institution; it’s a major attraction in the city—more on this later.
- The large student population undoubtedly influences Coimbra’s vibe. There are many bars, and the nightlife is vibrant. The city exudes a youthful and student-like atmosphere.
- The old town of Coimbra, hosting the key attractions, is perched on a hill. Hence, our advice: Bring comfortable walking shoes.
- A striking feature of Coimbra’s old town is its contrasts. Turn one corner and you’ll see a beautifully restored university building; turn another and encounter peeling plaster. Some streets are immaculately refurbished, while others are visibly worn.
How many days should I plan for Coimbra?
Coimbra is compact, so you can explore the most important places in the old town quite quickly. If time is tight on your Portugal tour, one night is technically enough to see the highlights.
Personally, we would recommend two nights. This way, you have at least one full day to dedicate to Coimbra’s main attractions and even have the time to just go with the flow in between.
Bucket List: What can I experience in Coimbra?
Want the highlights without the fluff? Below is our short but comprehensive best-of list for the most important attractions in Coimbra. Dive deeper into each feature in the next chapter.
- Explore the historic University of Coimbra and wander through its campus.
- Be amazed by the stunning Biblioteca Joanina.
- Wander aimlessly through the labyrinth of alleys in the old town.
- Catch the breathtaking view of Coimbra at sunset. For the best spot to enjoy it, see our recommendation below.
- Savor a Pastel de Nata at Pastelaria Briosa—why stop at one?
2. Coimbra Travel Guide: Top Things to do and see
Old Town of Coimbra
First up, let’s dive into Coimbra’s Old Town, where all the attractions we’re about to explore are located. But before we get into the details, here’s a bit about this charming part of the city.
Nestled on a hill, the Old Town of Coimbra offers stunning views from a distance. A top tip to start with: Don’t miss the postcard-perfect view of Coimbra from the riverbank near the Ponte de Santa Clara—we’ll give you more pointers on this later in our blog.
Entering through Rua Ferreira Borges, the main boulevard, you’re welcomed by Coimbra’s Old Town. Take a right through the historic city gate (Porta de Barbacã), and you’ll step into a maze of narrow, climbing alleyways.
Make sure you make your way all the way to the top: At the highest point of the Old Town you’ll find the prestigious University of Coimbra.
University of Coimbra
The most important attraction in Coimbra is, without a doubt, the esteemed University. A visit to Coimbra wouldn’t be complete without exploring the university grounds. The University of Coimbra is not only the oldest in Portugal but also among the oldest in Europe. Since 2013, it has been recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The University isn’t confined to a single building but encompasses several structures. A highlight is the inner courtyard, which resembles a grand square more than anything else. You can access this area through the stately main gate (Porta Férrea).
This courtyard houses some of the University’s most stunning and significant sites, including the Capela de São Miguel, the Torre da Universidade, and the renowned Biblioteca Joanina (we’ll delve into this shortly).
The University’s courtyard is accessible free of charge. However, if you wish to visit the individual attractions, you will need a ticket.
Find more information for your visit here: University of Coimbra (official website)
Biblioteca Joanina
The heart of the University of Coimbra is its library, the so-called Biblioteca Joanina. Dating back to the 18th century, it is considered one of the most spectacular Baroque libraries worldwide. One thing we can promise: The main hall of the library is truly a sight to behold.
To explore the library, you must purchase a ticket for a specific timeslot. It’s crucial to note that due to the library’s popularity and its status as a key attraction in Coimbra, access to the main hall is restricted to just 10 minutes during peak season.
An important note: Photography is not allowed in the main hall of the Biblioteca Joanina! (We were granted permission during a press trip on our initial visit to Coimbra.)
Find more information for your visit here: University of Coimbra (official website)
Sé Velha: The Old Cathedral of Coimbra
Tucked within the narrow alleys of Coimbra’s Old Town, you’ll find one of the city’s oldest and most remarkable landmarks: the Old Cathedral, or Sé Velha. Originating from the 12th century, this Romanesque cathedral is a marvel from the outside, and its interior is equally compelling.
Inside, you’ll find an imposing church interior and a cloister worth seeing, along with a courtyard. Although we’ve seen even more beautiful cloisters during our trip around Portugal, the cathedral is definitely worth a visit.
Admission: 2.50 Euros
Santa Cruz Monastery
One of the attractions in Coimbra that particularly surprised us was the Santa Cruz Monastery, known in Portuguese as Mosteiro de Santa Cruz. It’s located in the Old Town on the quite spacious and very picturesque Praça 8 de Maio.
The monastery encompasses several attractions or spaces that you can visit in sequence, including the sacristy, the cloister, and the church. The latter is decorated with beautiful, traditional blue and white azulejos tiles.
Small tip: Before or after your monastery visit, you can stop by at the Café O Croisant. They serve very good coffee, breakfast, and small snacks.
Admission: 4 Euros
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden, a lovely and free spot perfect for a peaceful break, is situated close to the University of Coimbra and is part of the university itself.
Here, you can wander through a spacious green area with greenhouses and beautifully arranged gardens. While you shouldn’t expect a top attraction, the garden is definitely suitable for a short stopover.
Right in front of the entrance to the Botanical Garden, you’ll also pass by the Aqueduct of Coimbra, dating back to the 16th century.
3. Viewpoints and Photo Spots in Coimbra
Wondering where to get the best photographic views of Coimbra? In this chapter, we reveal our two favourite spots for capturing Coimbra’s “postcard scene”.
Bar 5° andar: This rooftop bar may not boast the most stylish interior, but that doesn’t matter – the view more than makes up for it! Here, you really get the perfect view of the sea of houses in Coimbra’s Old Town. We were here at sunset and can highly recommend this time of day.
From the Bridge: The Ponte de Santa Clara also offers a fantastic view of Coimbra. It’s best to walk across the bridge to the other bank. From there, you can also get some great shots of Coimbra.
4. Eating and Drinking: Culinary Travel Guide for Coimbra
Still looking for tips on great cafes and restaurants in Coimbra? In this chapter of our travel guide you will find out where we enjoyed both the atmosphere and the food.
O Croisant: This small, quite trendy café offers very good breakfast at fair prices. In nice weather, you can also sit outside in the guest garden on the very pretty Praça 8 de Maio, with a view of the Santa Cruz Monastery.
Loggia: Somewhat of an institution in Coimbra. In this modern eatery with a large rooftop terrace, you dine with a great view of Coimbra. A visit is particularly recommended at sunset.
Pastelaria Briosa Coimbra: This traditional pastry shop at the entrance to Coimbra’s Old Town, offers Pastéis de Nata and other Portuguese specialties to try. There are a few seats available, both inside and outside. Perfect for a little snack in between.
Arcadas: Rather an upscale restaurant, this noble place is part of the Quinta das Lagrimas hotel and is among the best in the city. It’s not without reason that it’s mentioned by Michelin. Guests can look forward to fine dining here. The prices are accordingly high.
5. Our Hotel Tips for Coimbra
We’ve stayed in Coimbra twice, so we have two different hotel recommendations for you. If you’re still looking for the right accommodation, definitely keep reading.
Option 1: Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas
If you’re looking for a luxurious and tranquil night’s sleep, we highly recommend the 5-star Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas, which is certainly among the best in the city.
The hotel is located a bit away from the Old Town, in a spacious, idyllically landscaped park. A historic manor house has been lovingly renovated here, housing extremely comfortably equipped and quite chicly furnished rooms and suites.
Our verdict: Those in search of a little luxury will surely feel comfortable here. Be sure to also try the restaurant. It’s mentioned by Michelin and is among the best restaurants in Coimbra.
You can book the hotel here: Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas
Option 2: LAA Studios
Looking for a more budget-friendly stay in Coimbra without sacrificing comfort? Then we recommend LAA Studios. These modern apartments are located in the centre of Coimbra, about a 10-minute walk from the university.
The apartments are in a beautifully renovated building and all feature a quite comfortable bed, air conditioning, and a small kitchenette. Perfect if you’re traveling with a baby, like us. The only downside: Some rooms face the street, and it can reportedly get quite noisy in the summer. (We had no problems with this, however.)
Our verdict: Great value for money, good location, and you can easily park for free on the street in front of the accommodation. Overall, we recommend it.
You can book the apartment here: LAA Studios
6. Map: All Attractions and Tips of our Coimbra Travel Guide at a Glance
For easier navigation, we’ve highlighted all the key attractions and highlights of our Coimbra Travel Guide on this map for you. Our tip: Just click on the rectangle at the top right to open the map in the Google Maps app on your smartphone. This will allow you to comfortably navigate from point A to point B while you’re in Coimbra.
Disclaimer: Affiliate Links
This travel guide includes our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we receive a small commission. This doesn’t change the price for you at all. A massive thank you from us both!
Have you ever been to Coimbra? How did you like the city? Are there any attractions you would add? We’d love to hear your tips for Coimbra in the comments below this travel guide.
