Coimbra, Portugal

Coimbra

An old university town on a hill with a gilded Baroque library.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Things to do

2 days in Coimbra

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the old university on the hilltop and its gilded Joanina Library; book a time slot.
  2. AfternoonWalk down through the steep old town to the river and the Santa Cruz monastery.
  3. EveningHear Coimbra fado, sung by men in black student capes.

Day 2

Visit the Roman ruins of Conímbriga or the Buçaco forest.

What to eat

Leitão, crispy roast suckling pig from nearby Bairrada, and pastéis de Santa Clara.

Local tips

Make the most of Coimbra

Beat the crowds

Coimbra is calm. The university library visits are timed and sell out on busy days.

Best photo spot

The old town and university on the hill, seen from across the river Mondego.

Getting there

Trains from Lisbon and Porto take about 1-2 hours. The old town is steep but walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Conímbriga, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Portugal, about 20 minutes away.

Good to know

Book the Joanina baroque library ahead: visits are limited. Coimbra has its own style of fado, traditionally sung by men in black capes.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Coimbra

Our most hidden places around Coimbra: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Coimbra to take with you.

53 km away
67 km away
77 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Coimbra

Getting there

  • Viseu Airport (VSE)75 km away
  • Porto Airport (OPO)120 km away
  • Porto110 km away
  • Braga150 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryPortugal

Questions

Coimbra: good to know

Is Coimbra worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. An old university town on a hill with a gilded Baroque library.

How many days do you need in Coimbra?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Coimbra?

You can visit all year. Coimbra is calm. The university library visits are timed and sell out on busy days.

How do you get to Coimbra?

The nearest airport is Viseu Airport (VSE), about 75 km away. Trains from Lisbon and Porto take about 1-2 hours. The old town is steep but walkable.

What is there to see near Coimbra?

Nearby hidden places include Nazaré (88 km), Porto (108 km) and Monsanto (112 km).

Day trips from Coimbra: 8 hidden places nearby
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