CITY GUIDE & SUGGESTIONS

Do you want to see Coimbra sights? There are several things to see in Coimbra - Portugal. Eternally young but full of history, the university city of Coimbra promises a unique experience. Explore the city with Coimbra Travel Guide where 6 of Portugal's kings were born and where the country's first university, one of the oldest in Europe, was founded. Enjoy sightseeing in Coimbra and be carried away by its tuneful and melancholic fado and discover the charm of its picturesque and romantic streets, stairways, courtyards and medieval arches.


University of Coimbra

University of Coimbra

It is one of the most respected and prestigious cultural institutions in Portugal. Created in 1290, it is the oldest university in the country.

Iron Door of the University of Coimbra

Iron Door of the University of Coimbra

Gateway in the Courtyard of Schools of the University of Coimbra, dated from 1634 and made by the Architect António Tavares.

Via Latina of the University of Coimbra

Via Latina of the University of Coimbra

In the main facade of the former Royal Palace, it was built in the reign of King João V. Its current aspect dates back to 1773.

Mermaid

Mermaid's Garden

A project conceived and built in King João V's time, and rebuilt in 2005. In the central space, there is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

King Duarte the Second

King Duarte the Second

Fish of the day, fresh seafood and an tasteful selection of high quality wines are its main qualities.

Choupal National Forest

Choupal National Forest

A great place to rest and walk in the middle of lush vegetation. A huge green park!

NB Club

NB Club

One of the most acclaimed clubs of Coimbra, with constant presence of renowned international DJs.

Cemitério da Conchada

Cemitério da Conchada

The largest cemetery in the region, whose construction was conducted in mid-nineteenth century, it has great historical and architectural value.

Clock Tower

Clock Tower

In the Schools Square of the University of Coimbra, the 100 year old tower houses the clock and the bells that set the hours of the academic life.

Quinta das Lágrimas Urbanization Playground

Quinta das Lágrimas Urbanization Playground

Space especially dedicated to children, with slides, swings and other diversions.

Ocean

Ocean's Bar

Animation is not lacking in this bar, which offers theme parties, karaoke nights on Mondays and Ladies Night on Tuesday.

House Museum of Miguel Torga

House Museum of Miguel Torga

A place in honor of the Portuguese writer with assets consisting of a vast library, furniture, paintings and personal objects of the poet.

Leroy-Merlin

Leroy-Merlin

The finest place in Coimbra to buy building materials and tools. Very close to Coimbra Shopping.

House Museum Bissaya Barreto

House Museum Bissaya Barreto

Dating back to the second half of the twentieth century, it was here that Bissaya Barreto lived. In the interior, there is a selection of Portuguese tiles.

Mango

Mango's Garden

It is one of the first fully Renaissance architectural works in Portugal and whose structure is evocative of the Fountain of Life.

Old Cathedral of Coimbra

Old Cathedral of Coimbra

One of the most important buildings in the Romanesque style. From the outside, it looks like a castle and stands out for its near 380 carved capitals.

Crafts House of the Old Cathedral

Crafts House of the Old Cathedral

Magical place, with the best of handicrafts, pottery and tiles in the region. Thin and unique pieces that are not seen everyday.

Monastery of Santa Cruz

Monastery of Santa Cruz

Founded in 1131 by the Order of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, it nowadays admits the services of the Municipality of Coimbra

Church of Santo António dos Olivais

Church of Santo António dos Olivais

The church of the old Convent of St Anthony, with a vestibule that leads to it through a portico in ogive. Access by a grand staircase.

Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha

Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha

Inaugurated in 2001, it's divided into two poles: The Chiado Building - Collection Telo de Morais and the Almedina Tower - Center of the Walled City

Municipal Museum of Coimbra

Municipal Museum of Coimbra

Inaugurated in 2001, it's divided into two poles: The Chiado Building - Collection Telo de Morais and the Almedina Tower - Center of the Walled City.

Door and Tower of Almedina

Door and Tower of Almedina

Its construction dates back to the eleventh century, and it currently serves as the boundary between the parishes of Almedina and St. Bartholomew.

Conímbriga

Conímbriga

It is the best preserved traces of the Roman colonization through Portugal. In addition to the ruins, it has a museum.

Stadium of Coimbra City

Stadium of Coimbra City

With a capacity for 30,000 spectators, it is the home of Académica and one of the most modern stadiums in Portugal. It also hosts concerts.

Museum Machado de Castro

Museum Machado de Castro

This excellent museum of Fine Arts stands out for its impressive collection of painting, sculpture and decorative arts.

Dolce Vita Coimbra

Dolce Vita Coimbra

Large shopping center, with upscale stores, restaurants and comfortable cinemas.

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

Inaugurated in 1722 by initiative of the Marquis of Pombal, this great space promotes environmental education programs.

Café Santa Cruz

Café Santa Cruz

Located in downtown Coimbra, it is one of the most traditional cafés in the city and a meeting place for social gathering.

Portugal dos Pequenitos

Portugal dos Pequenitos

Park featuring small-scale buildings representing monuments and other elements of the Portuguese culture.

House of Fados À Capella

House of Fados À Capella

One of the most traditional Fado houses of Coimbra, it is still used as an excellent Portuguese cuisine restaurant.

Fado ao Centro

Fado ao Centro

This place features live Fado shows every day, being a must-visit place in Coimbra.

Quinta das Lágrimas

Quinta das Lágrimas

This majestic hotel is a seventeenth century palace that has been restored. Its restaurant is one of the most respected of Coimbra.

Quebra

Quebra" Bar"

Emblematic bar with jazz and alternative music and that also houses exhibits. It has an outdoor sitting spot.

Diligência Bar

Diligência Bar

A cozy space that functions as a bar and a Fado house, one of the oldest and most recognized in Coimbra.

Dux Taberna Urbana

Dux Taberna Urbana

A restaurant with great quality food. Their prices are inviting, perfect for group dinners.

Gallery Bar Santa Clara

Gallery Bar Santa Clara

Working since 1993 as gallery and bar. Open every day from 2 pm to 2 am (up to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays).

Restaurante Zé Manuel dos Ossos

Restaurante Zé Manuel dos Ossos

One of the most famous taverns of Coimbra. On the menu, we highlight the bones with spicy flavors, the roasted piglet and the wild boar stew with beans.

Munich II

Munich II

It stands out for the seafood, always fresh and delicious, and for the fish dishes. Nice space and excellent service.

Compostu Tavern

Compostu Tavern

Restaurant with attractive prices, highlighted by its renowned francesinhas, suitable for group dinners.

Mondego Pools

Mondego Pools

Traditional Portuguese cuisine and innovative vegetarian dishes are the brand image of this new place.

Parque Verde do Mondego

Parque Verde do Mondego

Beautiful place to walk, run, date and have picnics. Not all cities can boast of a park like this...

Chapel of St. Michael

Chapel of St. Michael

The original chapel dates back to the sixth century, after the conquest of the city from the Moors. Interior decor performed over the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Ponte de Pedro e Inês

Ponte de Pedro e Inês

Pedestrian and bike path bridge over the Mondego river. Its length is of about 274.5 meters, with the tray having a mixed steel and concrete section.

Penedo da Saudade

Penedo da Saudade

Park and viewpoint built in 1849, it has a fantastic view over the eastern part of the city to the Mondego river and the mountain of Lousã.

Largo da Portagem

Largo da Portagem

The town main square got its name from the former taxes charged on goods arriving to the city.

General Library of the University of Coimbra

General Library of the University of Coimbra

It is divided into two buildings: one with a collection of books and documents prior to 1800, and a more recent one, with over 1 million titles.

Square 8th of May

Square 8th of May

Central square of Coimbra whose name has its origin on the arrival of the liberal troops of the Duke of Terceira in the 8th May , 1834.

Santa Clara-a-Nova Convent

Santa Clara-a-Nova Convent

Built in the seventeenth century to replace the old medieval monastery. The building has a baroque style, sober and utilitarian, dotted by turrets.

Santiago Church

Santiago Church

Romanesque church from the reign of Sancho the First. It stands out for its two outer panels, due to the decoration of the chapiters.

Café Couraça de Lisboa

Café Couraça de Lisboa

Bar with terrace, facing the Botanical Garden and the Mondego River, visited by students of the University.

Aqui Base Tango

Aqui Base Tango

Tea room, gin bar, concert venue, wine bar... A cosmopolitan place that has it all.

The Rock Planet

The Rock Planet

Space with elegance and decorated with some of the great names of international rock. And of course, that is the musical genre heard in this place.

The Pousadinha

The Pousadinha

Fantastic Tentúgal pastries, hand-crafted. The very thin dough melts in your mouth and the filling is made of egg custard.

Commerce Square

Commerce Square

It is the heart of the city of Coimbra. Full of cafés, shops and restaurants, is safe to say that it won't lack animation.

Science Museum

Science Museum

Located at the University of Coimbra, it's an interactive space that presents science in a simple way, for all ages.

The Sister Lucia Memorial

The Sister Lucia Memorial

An area created in a building attached to the Carmel of Saint Theresa, with objects used or made by Sister Lucia throughout her life.

Monastery of Cells

Monastery of Cells

Cistercian work and circular style church. Tours accompanied by a guide-interpreter of the Municipality of Coimbra.

Museum of the Holy House of Mercy of Coimbra

Museum of the Holy House of Mercy of Coimbra

It was built between 1593 and 1604, in Mannerist style, and opened in 2000, the year of the 500th anniversary of the Mercy Foundation.

Academic Coimbra Museum

Academic Coimbra Museum

Space located in the old school of St. Jerome, with a vast collection of academic objects and memorabilia from Fado singers.

Fountain of the Jews

Fountain of the Jews

Public Baroque fountain built in the reign of King John the 5th, opposite to the Mango Garden at the Square 8th of May.

Academic Prison

Academic Prison

It is the only existing medieval jail in Portugal, and much of its original constitution is still kept nowadays.

St. Bartholomew

St. Bartholomew's Church

Located in the Commerce Square, it is known that it already existed in the mid-tenth century. Rebuilt in the eighteenth century, in a simple baroque style.

Water Museum

Water Museum

Space that receives school tours that are accompanied by an educator and complemented with educational activities.

Pátio da Inquisição

Pátio da Inquisição

Group of buildings with architectural value where the Inquisition Court was installed, on 1548.

Gil Vicente Academic Coliseum

Gil Vicente Academic Coliseum

Important cultural structure of the University of Coimbra since 1961, it offers a regular and diverse programming.

Statue of King John the Third

Statue of King John the Third

This sculpture from Francisco Franco, located in the Schools Square, is a tribute to the 15th king of Portugal, who ruled in the sixteenth century.

Major seminary of the Sacred Family

Major seminary of the Sacred Family

Building from 1748, with a frontage of five bodies. Around it are beautiful baroque gardens.

The Toga

The Toga

A shop specializing in college's clothing, especially in the academic and custom outfits.

Palmeira Pastry shop

Palmeira Pastry shop

A traditional Coimbra pastry shop, known for its fantastic desserts.

Fórum Coimbra

Fórum Coimbra

In addition to upscale stores, restaurants and cinemas, the top floor provides a fantastic view of Coimbra.

Coisas & Sabores

Coisas & Sabores

A shop for gourmet regional products of unquestionable quality and with close attention to the novelties. Great location.

Municipal Market D. Pedro V

Municipal Market D. Pedro V

Market with all kinds of food products, always with the greatest freshness. It has also flowers and agricultural products.

Hell Valley Viewpoint

Hell Valley Viewpoint

Situated near the road, this viewpoint offers an unmissable view over the city of Coimbra and the Mondego River.

Fernão de Magalhães Avenue Picnic Garden

Fernão de Magalhães Avenue Picnic Garden

Pleasant area with many green spaces and wooden tables, ideal for a picnic during fine weather.

Sá da Bandeira Avenue Garden

Sá da Bandeira Avenue Garden

You can breathe in fresh air at this garden with an evocative monument of World War II and many trees and lakes.

Downtown Coimbra

Downtown Coimbra

The narrow streets of Downtown Coimbra, crowded with shops, restaurants and interesting cafés, are the perfect invitation for a walk.

Praça da Canção

Praça da Canção

The finest place in Coimbra to listen to and enjoy live music performances.

Casa Costa Tavern

Casa Costa Tavern

Much more than just a tavern, this is a restaurant known for its Portuguese appetizers and the lively atmosphere.

Barbacã Door

Barbacã Door

It was the main door to the city of Coimbra during the Moor age. The sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the National Coat of Arms are clearly visible.

City Hall

City Hall

Building of great architectural value situated in the Square 8th of Maio and hosting the major events of the Municipality of Coimbra.

Oficina Municipal do Teatro

Oficina Municipal do Teatro

Theatre classes for all ages, featuring performances organized by the company O Teatrão.""

Miguel de Carvalho Bookshop

Miguel de Carvalho Bookshop

Here it is possible to find an impressive collection of old books, especially from Portuguese Literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Bingo from Académica de Coimbra

Bingo from Académica de Coimbra

Many bingo halls have closed in Portugal recently, but this one has stood up for many years and continues to be very popular.

Tropical Café

Tropical Café

A very pleasant space, with an outdoor sitting place and a simple decor. Frequented mainly by the student community.

Tea House at the Mermaid Garden

Tea House at the Mermaid Garden

A classy location, which serves lunch and snacks, with special attention to the exquisite regional flavors.

Garden Gin & Wine Bar

Garden Gin & Wine Bar

A bar with great taste, offering wine and appetizers, as well as a vast variety of gin and nights dedicated to jazz.

Tapas Brewery & Seafood

Tapas Brewery & Seafood

The seafood and snacks are kings in this famous house that serves food of excellent quality.

Coimbra Shopping

Coimbra Shopping

A Shopping Centre where you may find all kinds of products in various stores and several restaurants.