2025 Coimbra Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Coimbra is a well-preserved medieval city that was the country's capital before Lisbon took over. Coimbra is renowned for its university, which is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. However, what drew me to this city was not the school, but its architectural style that I fell in love with even before I arrived. Many people take a day trip to Coimbra on their way to Porto or Lisbon, which is feasible, but I recommend staying at least one night to fully experience its charm. Coimbra's old town is small, making it easy to explore on foot. It is a perfect blend of medieval history and colorful architecture. Visiting the University of Coimbra is probably the most popular activity in Coimbra, but they have a magnificent library covered in gold inside, and they also have a great terrace with a view of the city, which I think is worth a visit. Note: Photography is not allowed in the library. Coimbra is hilly, but the slopes are gentle, unlike the steep hills of Lisbon or Porto. For those who are not good at physical activities, there is good public transportation or you can just walk slowly. In many cases, you have the opportunity to stop, sit in a café, enjoy the scenery, and listen to the sounds. The steepest climb might be from the city center to the Old Cathedral (13th century) and the university (old campus) along two main routes. Getting to Coimbra is very simple; you just need to take a train from Lisbon to Coimbra. The journey takes less than 2 hours. When visiting Portugal, most people either fly into Lisbon or Porto, and Coimbra is located between the two, making it easily accessible by train. This is why I mentioned that many people stop in Coimbra on their way to these two major cities.

When visiting Coimbra City, Portugal 🇵🇹, you must find the way to the city center and enjoy your lunch at ‘Restaurante Zé Manel dos Ossos’. Tasty food in the traditional environment of the Students city. 😍

The University of Coimbra, a World Cultural Heritage Site, is a public university located in Coimbra, Portugal. It is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest universities in the world. Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal and a historic institution of higher learning on the Iberian Peninsula. It was established only 70 years later than the first university in Spain, the University of Salamanca (founded in 1218). The ancient capital of Coimbra, where the University of Coimbra is located, is located north of the capital Lisbon and was the capital of Portugal from 1139 to 1260. The university has eight faculties: covering multiple academic fields including arts, engineering, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, sports and technology, and can award three degree levels: bachelor's, master's and doctoral. The University of Coimbra is also the birthplace and one of the founders of the Coimbra Group. #Overseas Travel #Portugal Travel #Portugal #University #World Heritage #World Cultural Heritage #World Heritage Tour #River #Ancient City #Portugal #University #unesco #unescoworldheritage #University of Coimbra #University of Coimbra

🏛️ Must-visit attractions 1️⃣ University of Coimbra Biblioteca Joanina: The Baroque Golden House has 50,000 books, and bats are used to protect ancient books (no photography allowed) Tickets: €12.5 (including university tour) University Bell Tower (Torre da Universidade): Climb to the top to overlook the red-roofed city 2️⃣ Old Cathedral (Sé Velha) Romanesque fortress church: stone-carved "Crucifixion Gate" and Arabic-style cloisters Secret: The basement contains the 14th-century bishop's tomb 3️⃣ Stroll along the Mondego River Ponte de Santa Clara: the best spot to take photos of the university skyline Portugal dos Pequenitos: a childlike version of the Portuguese landmark miniature park 4️⃣ Fado experience Fado ao Centro: Small concerts at 18:00 every day (€10), student-style Fado is different from Lisbon 📜 Unique cultural experience 1️⃣ Academic tradition Black robes (Capas e Batinas): Students need to wear black robes before graduation, and use the color of the ribbon to distinguish between departments (law = red, medicine = yellow) Fado de Coimbra: Sad love songs sung by male students, often improvised on the stairs at night 2️⃣ Hidden alleys Rua Quebra Costas: Retro bookstores and Fado clubs are hidden on both sides of the "Brokeback Stairs" #Sign up for tripbest July hotel tester

#backpackeressentials Portugal’s medieval gem is more than just a university town — it’s perfect for backpackers chasing culture, charm, and cheap eats! 🏰 Top Attractions You Can’t Miss: 📚 University of Coimbra – One of the oldest in Europe! Don’t miss the stunning Joanina Library (entry ~€10) 🌉 Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery – Atmospheric ruins across the river (€4 or free with student card!) 🌳 Jardim Botânico da Universidade – A peaceful free escape filled with rare plants ⛪ Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) – Romanesque beauty worth a quick visit 🛶 Chill by the Mondego River, or hike up to panoramic viewpoints around Alta 🎒 Backpacker Essentials 🛏️ Stay in hostels near the university or downtown – Walkable, central, and cheap (avg. €20–30/night) 🥘 Eat at student cafés & tascas – Look for “prato do dia” (dish of the day) menus for meals under €7! 🚶 Walking shoes – Coimbra is hilly and full of charming cobbled streets 🧴 Water bottle – Fill up at public fountains (safe to drink) 🧳 Light layers – Even summer nights can cool off; bring a sweater 💡 Money-Saving Tips: 🎟️ Ask for student/youth discounts – Coimbra is a student city, and many attractions offer reduced prices 🕰️ Visit during the Queima das Fitas festival (May) for unique experiences — just book early! 📱 Use Comboios de Portugal (CP) train deals to reach Coimbra from Porto or Lisbon at reduced rates 🎶 Look out for free Fado shows or music nights at university bars

📅 Itinerary Step into the heart of Portugal and discover Coimbra, a UNESCO-listed university town rich in history, charm, and tradition. 🕰️ Begin your day at Largo da Portagem, the perfect gateway into the city’s historic core. Wander through the Torre de Almedina and Porta de Barbacã, remnants of Coimbra’s medieval walls. ⛪ Don’t miss the Church of Santa Cruz, resting place of Portugal’s first kings, and take a moment to admire its stunning pipe organ. 💧 From there, stroll over to the elegant Fonte de Manga, a hidden Baroque fountain oasis. 🏰 Continue your journey to two iconic cathedrals — the Sé Nova, with its majestic Jesuit design, and the Sé Velha, a fortress-like Romanesque beauty. 📚 No trip to Coimbra is complete without visiting its crown jewel: the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290. The highlight? The breathtaking Joanina Library, a Baroque library that houses vast collection of books dating from the 16th to 18th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🌙 As night falls, take a quiet walk past the illuminated Roman Aqueduct at the outskirts. 🏨 Accommodation We stayed at ibis style centro. It is affordable and right smack in the middle of everything, thus making it easy to walk to places of interests and restaurants. 🍴 Food Recommendations Food is everywhere in Coimbra considered it’s a university town full of students. You will have food ranging from fast foods like Burger King, to bubble tea and ice cream shops. There’s 1 restaurant which stood out for me, which is Taberna Laura. The Chanfana is very delicious. The waiter is also very patient with us and explained the dishes that we were not familiar with. It’s so good we went back a second time. 📌 Tips We went there during May when the temperature is down, but it is still like an oven. There is not much sheltered area so please bring along a cap and sunblock. I was almost burnt even after putting on sunblock. For the library of Joanina, please book tickets way in advance and choose the later afternoon time slots as those are not very popular if you want to avoid the crowd. #travel #portugal #coimbra

This time we will introduce Coimbra, Portugal! This is a popular tourist destination in the city, third after Lisbon and Porto. Portage Square is the starting point for exploring Coimbra, and is located less than a 10-minute walk from Coimbra Station. The cathedral and monastery are within a 10-minute walk from this square. 『Largo da Portagem』 📍Location: Largo da Portagem, 3000-337 Coimbra, Portugal Coimbra is a compact city and very easy to explore, so we recommend it! #Spring0yenTrip

Coimbra is a historic city located in central Portugal, and is the third largest city in Portugal after Lisbon and Porto. 💡⁡ ⁡ It was the capital of Portugal from 1131 to 1255, and is famous for being the home of Portugal's oldest university, so the main purpose of tourists is to see the university and visit the Joanie Library inside the university, but personally I also recommend walking around the back alleys. 😊⁡ ⁡ There are few tourists in the back alleys, so you can take your time looking at the cute townscape and enjoy the wonderful Coimbra that only people who live there know. 👍⁡ ⁡ Please go and check it out. 🎵 #tripoverseastravel #girlstrip #europetrip #portugal

#NewYearNewTrip Coimbra is a city located in central Portugal and is considered one of the cities with a long history and very interesting culture. For example, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in Europe. This university is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, the Palacio da Bolsa is a palace with beautiful architecture, and the Café Santa Cruz is an old café in the city center. Therefore, it is another city that we consider to be a city that we visited during our trip. #coimbra #portugal #portugaltravel #europe #europetravel

Konpeito (confetti candy) is sold at long-established confectionery stores in Japan. Did you know that it originated from Portugal? I was surprised to learn that konpeito (confetti candy) comes from the Portuguese word "confeito"!! There is a shop that still makes confetti using traditional methods. It's called Pastelaria Briosa and is located in the ancient city of Coimbra. The inside of the shop is a normal cafe, but you can buy bags of confetti. If you like confetti, please stop by. 🍬Store name: Pastelaria Briosa 📍Location: Largo da Portagem 5, 3000-180 Coimbra 🕰️Opening hours: 7:00~21:00 🚉Access: From Largo da Portagem, turn into Ferreira Borges Street and you'll find it on the right! #Sweets #Europe #Places with a historical feel #Tourism #0 yen trip February 2025

I'd like to introduce you to the University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia, the oldest and most prestigious university in Portugal, known as one of the leading universities in Europe. ✨ The hill on which the university is located is called the "Alta District," and the area down the hill from the university, lined with shopping streets and other establishments, is called the "Sofia District." If you come to Coimbra University, there is a spot you definitely want to visit! It's the "João V Library" 🌟 Also known as the "Golden Library," it is said to have gorgeous bookshelves and ceiling murals that shine with gold!! ! I was unlucky and couldn't go inside, but if you have the chance, I recommend you take a look at it!! ! There is also a corridor called the "Latin Corridor," where only Latin was spoken in the past! Although it is a university, it is a tourist spot full of things to see◎ 🎓Spot name University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia 📍Location: Universidade de Coimbra Paco das Escolas 3004-531 Coimbra 🚉Access: *About 2 hours from Lisbon. Take the train from Lisboa Santa Apolónia station and get off at Coimbra-B station. Take the local line to Coimbra station. You can arrive at the university by bus or on foot in about 15 minutes! #EuropeTravel #Portugal #Coimbra #0yenTripFebruary2025

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 Coimbra, Portugal, is a city full of culture. The most famous university here is the University of Coimbra, the oldest university in Portugal, which has the most beautiful library in Portugal. We also went to the National Forest Park, which was very beautiful and we could walk for a long time. The ancient city of Coimbra is also extremely beautiful, and it is great to take photos everywhere. Figure 1 University of Coimbra Figure 2 Waterway Bridge Figure 3-4 National Forest Park Figure 5-8 Coimbra Ancient City #Portugal #Coimbra #Ancient Monuments #Natural Scenery Exploration

This monastery is located in a lively square where tourists gather, and when you open the door, you will be enchanted by the beautiful azulejos❣️⁡ And the organ that gives you a sense of history is also worth seeing✨ ⁡ If you want to see the entire monastery, you will need to pay an entrance fee, and it will take a fair amount of time, so if you can take your time, please go inside🚶⁡ ⁡ I only had half a day in Coimbra, so I only visited the free area, but it was so beautiful that I'm glad I saw it😊 There are a lot of tourists outside, but it's very quiet here💡 ⁡ Please go and check it out🎵⁡ ⁡ ⋈ ････Spot details･････････ ⋈⁡ Entry time: 9:30-16:30⁡ Closed days: None⁡ #tripOverseas travel#European travel #Portugal travel #Portugal #Girls trip #trip

#2024mapped #coimbra #portugal Coimbra at night has a special kind of magic. The city transforms, with the narrow streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, creating a peaceful and almost nostalgic atmosphere. Walking through the cobblestone streets at night feels like stepping into a different era, with the beautiful architecture casting long shadows and the occasional sound of footsteps echoing off the walls. It’s calm, charming, and the perfect way to see Coimbra from a new perspective.

#2024mapped #koreanfood #coimbra #portugal During my summer trip to Coimbra, I had the chance to dine at Gangnam, a Korean restaurant that truly stood out. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a cozy, modern vibe that made me feel right at home. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxed, making it a perfect spot for a laid-back meal. If you’re craving Korean food in Coimbra, Gangnam is definitely worth a visit! One of the best experiences during my escape 🤩

#2024mapped #portugal #coimbra #streets Wandering through the narrow streets of Coimbra this summer was such a memorable experience. Each turn seemed to reveal something new—charming cobblestone alleys, colorful buildings with tiled facades, and hidden courtyards full of character. It felt like stepping back in time, especially with the old-world architecture and quiet, peaceful vibes. I loved getting lost in the maze of streets, discovering little cafés and shops tucked away from the main tourist spots. There was something magical about the way the city’s history seemed to come alive in those winding paths. It was a perfect way to soak in the soul of Coimbra.

Shopping at local markets is one of the joys of traveling abroad😊 Just looking at the fresh vegetables and local meat and seafood is fun✨ This market in Coimbra is not open to tourists, but is a market that locals visit every day, so you can experience the local atmosphere👍 I recommend just wandering around even if you don't buy anything, so please go and check it out🎵 ⋈ ････Spot details･････････ ⋈ Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V Opening hours: 6:00-12:00 Closed: None #tripoverseastravel #portugaltrip #coimbra

A garden

Coimbra, nestled along the banks of the Mondego River in central Portugal, is a city steeped in history and academic prestige. Known for its ancient university, one of the oldest in Europe, Coimbra offers a blend of historical charm, vibrant student life, and rich cultural heritage. What to Expect Visitors to Coimbra will find a city that beautifully combines the past and the present. The hilltop University of Coimbra dominates the cityscape, with its impressive buildings and historical significance. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are filled with traditional Fado music, quaint shops, and centuries-old architecture. Experiences and Recommendations A visit to the University of Coimbra is essential. The Joanina Library, a baroque masterpiece, houses thousands of rare books and is often considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The university's Chapel of São Miguel and the Royal Palace are also notable attractions that showcase the institution's rich history. Exploring the old town reveals the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), a Romanesque structure that has stood the test of time. Nearby, the Sé Nova (New Cathedral) reflects the city's enduring religious significance. For a peaceful retreat, wander through the Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Portugal. In the evening, experience traditional Coimbra Fado, a unique style of Fado music performed by male students, which tells tales of love and longing. The Fado ao Centro is a great place to enjoy an authentic performance. #mytravelhacks#historicallandmarks#localguides

#cherryblossom2024 Coimbra is known for the university vibes. But it is more than that. You can spot the fusion between new and old, modern and historical everywhere. 🏫 Of course you have to pay a visit to the university and learn about its importance for Portugal’s history. But if you have time, also explore the gardens, museums, stroll along the river, and of course, explore the food. 😋😋 Coimbra has a different way of preparing some national dishes, so try them there even though you have tried them somewhere else in Portugal. 🐟 You must go to solar do bacalhau, the place is huge and they can prepare any and all kinds of bacalhau (cod fish). So go and explore. 🌟 Another thing you have to try is the “Zé Manel dos Ossos” it is the most iconic restaurant in Coimbra. Super popular but very small. So be prepared to 1 hour queue in average. But honestly, it is worth it. I didn’t want to wait so long, so I went later, about 40min before they close, there was no queue, I was starving, and the service was fast. So going later was a good strategy 🩵 Finally, you probably heard about Fado, traditional music from Portugal. Well, you will learn that Coimbra also has its own way of singing Fado. There are plenty of restaurants with dinner + show. Give it a try. 🎤🎶🖤 #freehotelstay #fado #fadomagic #foodlovers

Coimbra in Portugal is an amazing city near the river, it is a preserved medieval old town and has the 9th oldest university in the world, the historic University of Coimbra. The atmosphere of the city is friendly and welcoming, lots of American tourists and lots of places to try typical Portuguese cuisine. The old centre of the town is picturesque and different at day and night. Beautiful city to explore #Portugal #historical university #historicallandmarks

Coimbra is an autonomous city in Portugal, the fourth largest city center, a city with a rich history and academic atmosphere, carrying the essence of national culture and tradition. 🍠Must-visit attractions University of Coimbra: As the oldest university in Portugal, its architectural complex is listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is a symbol of the city. University of Coimbra's library: Built in 1717, it is one of the oldest and most magnificent libraries in Portugal. The most famous is its unique rectangular hall, known as the "Grand Reading Room", the top is decorated with exquisite gold wood carvings, and the shelves are filled with a wealth of manuscripts, ancient books and precious documents. Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery: This monastery was built in the 14th century, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and is also the resting place of St. Clare. New Cathedral or Sé Nova: This Baroque-style cathedral was built in the 18th century, the interior is beautifully decorated, and it is the religious center of Coimbra. Conímbriga Museum: Located near the city, the ancient city site of Capuada, displays archaeological discoveries from the Roman era. Barragem da Aguieira: This dam is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and is an ideal place for hiking and enjoying lake views. 🍠Recommended food Coimbra’s Broa: This is a traditional cornbread, served with various meats or cheeses, and is one of the local specialties. Queijo de Sicó: This cheese originates from the nearby mountains, has a rich taste, and is a delicious representative of Portuguese cheese. Pastel de Tentúgal: This is a traditional Portuguese pastry made from egg yolk syrup and dough. 🍠Shopping areas Praça do Comércio: This square has various shops and cafes, suitable for strolling and casual shopping.

Same place but different time.

My lunch at the best place

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Address – R. da Gala 45, 3000-197 Coimbra, Portugal Portuguese suckling pig is different from Hong Kong style. The skin of suckling pig is crispy and thin, and the meat is tender. It is worth a try! I have also tried Pedro dos Leitoes, another popular and large suckling pig shop (most travel agencies will go to this one), and the quality of the suckling pigs in this Joao shop is not inferior, and the price is affordable, and the dessert rice cake is also delicious. ! recommend! #Portuguesefood

Must see is library BUT there’s no tickets only to a library., minimum bundle ticket is with lab and church visiting. To justify the high price I think because at the end the tour to visit the library last literally about 20 min. They limit number of people to 60, so everyone enters and leaves at the same time. You get 10 min in first room, another 10 min in the second/main room. They open and close doors just for the group. And for this “great” experience they charge more than 14 eur. Chemical lab was interesting but most of booths don’t function. Church is 3 min visit. It’s just one more church. Very small. Quite a disappointment

#flowerviewing #Portugal #Coimbra #magnolia In February, magnolias are in full bloom in the park inside the University of Coimbra campus. The entire park is filled with green forests welcoming visitors. There are many large magnolia trees, making it a great place to take pictures. After visiting the University of Coimbra, be sure to stop by the park if you have time.