Travel to Portugal
The University of Coimbra
Coimbra • Portugal

✍️ Coimbra was the capital of Portugal.
Today is the fourth largest urban centre in Portugal (after Lisbon, Porto and Braga) and is famous for:

◉ The oldest academic institution (established in 1290) in the Portuguese-speaking worldand - its university,
◉ Its historical buildings (were classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2013) and
◉ Fado music (the traditional Coimbra fado genre was originated in Coimbra).

Coimbra is also known for its university students' festivals that are held every year and has a lively music scene with lots of music events for every taste.

Coimbra life • Portugal

Coimbra vibes • Portugal

Lily's tips

Coimbra's Fados:

Famous Portuguese guitarists, singers, academic choirs (among them is the guitarist Carlos Paredes, the singer Zeca Afonso and Orfeon Académico de Coimbra, the oldest and most famous academic choir in Portugal) originated in Coimbra.
And nowadays Portugal is so celebrated for its fado that people come to hear it from all over the world.

Portuguese love tragedy and their tradition.
That's what Fado music is all about.

Fado de Portugal

Where can you hear authentic Fado music in Coimbra?

• aCapella:
Fado Casa, Concert & Show hall in Coimbra‎
A bit touristic but still a great introduction of Fado music. Set in an historic old chapel, offers drinks and a simple dinner to its customers. You have to go down some steps to find it.
Address: Rua do Corpo de Deus | Largo da Vitoria - Capela N. Sra da Vitória, Coimbra 3000-121, Portugal.
Entrance price: €10 per person (a welcome drink is included) or a 3 course prix fixe menu with 30 per person.
Openning hours: Every day from 20.00 p.m. to 02.00 a.m
↳ Check ❯|map|
↳ Check this casa de fado ❯|site info here|

• Fado ao Centro:
Fado Casa, Concert & Show hall in Coimbra‎
Located in the historical center of Coimbra (Rua Quebra Costas),the entrance to the photo exhibition about Coimbras University tradition & informations are for free.
Cozy Fado atmosphere, thought a bit touristic but it is an advantage that the show is presented in both Portuguese and English for a deeper understanding of Coimbra's Fado. The show lasts only one hour but you will enjoy it.
Strongly advise you to make a reservation in order to ensure your seat.
Address: Rua de Quebra Costas n 7 | Coimbra 3000-340, Portugal.
Entrance price: €10 per person (a welcome drink is included) or a 3 course prix fixe menu with 30 per person.
Openning hours: From Monday to Sunday 20.00 p.m. to 02.00 a.m
↳ Check ❯|map|
↳ Check this casa de fado ❯|site info here|

Coimbra aley • Portugal

Coimbra life • Portugal

Coimbra town • Portugal

Coimbra's buildings:

Coimbra is the 15th UNESCO World Heritage site in Portugal because of its University – Alta and Sofia and its historical buildings.

Perched on the hill overlooking the River Mondego, this charming pocket-size city and medieval capital of Portugal is home to interesting architectural ideas as well as interesting architectural buildings.

Some of the best are:

Torre de Almedina:
The entry point through the old walls of Coimbra town. A small alley with lots of souvenir shops leads up the hill to a 17th century church (Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha) and the University.

Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha:
An elegant and artistic chapel with unique paintings and sculptures that was a functioning monastery for centuries. This monastery was refounded in 1314 by Queen Elizabeth of Portugal as a convent of Poor Clares in the parish of Santa Clara. Now is a step back in time to relive some great history.

Se Nova Cathedral de Coimbra:
The New Cathedral (entrance fees: 1 euros per person) of Coimbra maybe isn't as beautiful as the old one and originally was a Jesuit church. Is close enough to Coimbra's University. Still its Altarpiece and statues are impressive.

Sé Velha de Coimbra (must see):
The Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Portuguese: Sé Velha de Coimbra) is one of the finest Romanesque Catholic buildings in Portugal and thousands of visitors come every year to Coimbra in order to visit it. Construction of the Sé Velha began some time after the Battle of Ourique (1139), when Count Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal and chose Coimbra as capital.

Sé Velha de Coimbra • Portugal

Sé Velha mosteiro • Portugal

University of Coimbra:

• Visit the famous University of Coimbra, one of Europe's oldest universities.

The university and its library are definitely worth a visit.
The university was founded in 1290 (by Dom Dinis) and was classified World heritage site by UNESCO since 2013.
The classification includes also the Coimbra's uptown and Sofia Street.

Located in a privileged position overlooking the rest of the city with a magnificent view over the River Mondego , the University is a complex building, constructed around a central courtyard in which a number of features stand out because of their artistic interest and symbolism.

The entrance to the University is through the Porta Férrea (Iron Gate), an impressive Mannerist work (1634), where one can see the statues of the University´s patrons, the kings Dom Dinis and Dom João III.

Visit hours:
1 October - 4 April:
9.30am-12.30pm / 2pm-5h30pm
5 April - 30 September: 9am -7.30pm
Closed 25 December and 1 January

↳ Check more information on this university here
↳ Official ❯|university's site here|

Buildings in the University of Coimbra

University Coimbra • Portugal

University de Coimbra • Portugal

View from the University of Coimbra Portugal

View from the Cafe in Coimbra's University

University's
Café Restaurant:

Affordable Café Restaurant in the University de Coimbra with an excellent view to the city and its river (Rio Mondego).
Here you can enjoy good meals in about 3,50 euros, cheap coffee and large beers.
There is also free Wi-Fi available in this place.

Café Restaurant Nicola University de Coimbra Portugal

Café Restaurant • University de Coimbra

• Where to stay in Coimbra?

Hotels:

• Stay Hotel Coimbra Centro:
3 stars Hotel in Coimbra
This 3 stars hotel is located just a few steps from the old historic town center and is value for money. Big comfortable bed, nice bathroom and a cool terrace.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

• Hotel Ibis:
2 stars Hotel in Coimbra Centro
Good price value hotel, 5 minutes walk from the historic center of Coimbra and close to restaurants, cafes and market. Comfortable beds and clean rooms.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

Rooms and Hostels:

• Casa de São Bento:
Accommodation in Coimbra
This hotel is in a very good location in the city of Coimbra, serves excellent breakfast with a wide variety of food, the staff is nice and helpful and the rooms are large and cosy.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

• NJOY Coimbra:
Cheap accommodation in Coimbra
A hostel where every room includes a desk, a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe and a private bathroom. Selected rooms come with a terrace. 10 minutes walk from main attractions and the historic center. Cheap accommodation rates.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

• Serenata Hostel Coimbra:
Cheap accommodation in Coimbra
A hostel with private shower, spacious and beautiful interiors and minimalist decoration in a location quite close to the University of Coimbra, the center of the old town, museums and restaurants but yet Quiet at night. And all these in affordable rates.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

• Hostel Sé Velha:
Accommodation in Coimbra
This hotel is located ath the heart of Coimbra (1 km from University of Coimbra and super close to the Cathedral), has a terrace, a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi and a bar. A continental breakfast is served every morning.
↳ Check ❯|Hotel's rates here|

Stay in Coimbra • Portugal

Hostel Se Velha • Coimbra

Location:

• Where is Coimbra; What's the distance to get there?

Distances:

From Lisbon:
• Coimbra is about 176,92 kilometres / 128,23 miles north of Lisbon.

From Porto:
• The distance between Porto and Coimbra is 105,47 km and the road distance is 118,33 km.

From Fátima:
• The distance between Fátima and Coimbra is 68,52 km. The road distance is 85,03 km.

From Braga PRT:
• The distance between Braga and Coimbra is 148,92 km. The road distance is 170,29 km.

From Nazaré:
• The distance from Nazaré to Coimbra is 86,93 km. The road distance is 109,5 km.

Map: Coimbra • Portugal

• Summing up the Coimbra experience:

You’ll love your trip to the cute small Coimbra town!