MyPortugalHoliday.com

The best independent guide to Coimbra

MyPortugalHoliday.com

The best independent guide to Coimbra

Coimbra itineraries and tours for 1, 2 and 3 days

Coimbra, Portugal's medieval capital and home to one of the world's oldest universities, is a city with a profound sense of history. Too often, it is treated as a fleeting stop on the well-trodden route between Lisbon and Porto. This is a mistake, as the city's compelling character and layers of history only reveal themselves to those who choose to linger.

While a single day allows for a packed tour of the main sights, from the magnificent university to the formidable Sé Velha cathedral, it only scratches the surface. To truly delve into the city’s unique culture and explore its steep, cobbled streets at an unhurried pace, a two-day stay is essential. A third day provides the perfect opportunity to venture beyond the city and discover the wider region, from the vast Roman ruins of Conímbriga to the secluded schist villages of the Serra da Lousã.

This guide provides carefully planned itineraries for one, two, or three days, designed to help independent travellers uncover the very best of Coimbra and its captivating surroundings.

Coimbra Portugal

The view over Coimbra

The full on, see everything Coimbra Itinerary

• Day 1 - Historic centre and university
• Day 2 – Roman ruins of Conimbriga and Bussaco Palace
• Day 3 – The Schist villages in the Gois Region

This is an intensive 3 day itinerary, ideal for those energetic visitors who want to see and experience as much as possible within their stay. Public transport is poor around Coimbra so a rental is advisable.

shopping streets of Coimbra

The pretty shopping streets of Coimbra

Historic and cultural Itinerary for Coimbra

• Day 1 - Historic centre and university
• Day 2 – Coimbra’s less known sights, Mosteiro Santa Clara, Portugal dos Pequenitos, Jardim Botânico and end the day with a Fado show
• Day 3 – Day trip to Roman ruins of Conimbriga

This is a more relaxed tour which takes in all of the historic sights of the Coimbra region. This is more suited for those tourists after a cultural holiday and embrace the history of the region.

The mosaics of Conimbriga

The mosaics of Conimbriga

Coimbra and the beautiful Schist villages

• Day 1 - Historic centre and university
• Day 2 –The Schist villages in the Gois Region
• Day 3 – Lousã to Talasnal hike via Lousã castle

Piodao Portugal

The white church in the schist village of Piodao

Tour of Central Portugal from Lisbon

The following itinerary provides a suggest tour of central Portugal that begins and terminates in Lisbon. The recommended amount of time required to explore each destination is provided in bracket.
• Lisbon (2 days) + Sintra (1 day)
• Obidos (half day) • Tomar (1 day)
• Fatima (1 day) • Coimbra (1 day) + Schist villages (1 day)
• Nazaré (1 day)
• Peniche (1 day) Berlengas Islands (half day)
• Lisbon

Coimbra history
Tour of Central Portugal from Porto

The following itinerary provides a suggest tour of central Portugal that originates and ends in Porto. The recommended amount of time required to explore each destination is provided in bracket.
• Porto (2 days) + Guimarães (1 day)
• Aveiro (1 day)
• Coimbra (1 day) + Schist villages (1 day)
• Tomar (1 day)
• Fatima (1 day)
• Nazaré (1 day)
• Figueira da Foz (1 day)

Coimbra university

The university at the top of the hill

1 Day In Coimbra - Historic centre and university

If you have just one day in Coimbra it should explore the historic centre and the university. This will be a full day of sightseeing with a significant amount of walking up steep hills! Coimbra is famed for its university complex and this is by far the most popular tourist attraction of the city, with coach loads of day trippers descending on the historic complex.

There is a lot to see in the university but it is best to visit early or late in the day. The highlight of the university is the ancient library but visitor numbers are controlled by timed tickets. There is a stunning view of the city from the top of the bell tower. Coimbra has numerous religious buildings but the most fascinating is the Santa Cruise church.

Discover more of central Portugal with our guides

Lisbon Portugal
Silver Coast guide
Sintra Portugal
Cascais Portugal
Obidos Portugal
Serra da Arrabida
Evora Portugal
Setubal Portugal
Sesimbra Portugal
Tomar Portugal
Costa da Caparica Portugal
Fatima Portugal
Nazare Portugal
Batalha Portugal
Ericeira Portugal
Peniche Portugal
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Elvas Portugal
Troia Portugal
Berlengas islands
Estoril Portugal

A complete list of all of our guides to central Portugal

MyPortugalHoliday.com

Discover more of Portugal

Lisbon Portugal
Silver Coast guide
Sintra Portugal
Cascais Portugal
Obidos Portugal
Serra da Arrabida
Evora Portugal
Setubal Portugal
Sesimbra Portugal
Tomar Portugal
Costa da Caparica Portugal
Fatima Portugal
Nazare Portugal
Batalha Portugal
Ericeira Portugal
Peniche Portugal
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Elvas Portugal
Troia Portugal
Berlengas islands

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Lisbon Portugal
Silver Coast guide
Sintra Portugal
Cascais Portugal
Obidos Portugal
Serra da Arrabida
Evora Portugal
Setubal Portugal
Sesimbra Portugal
Tomar Portugal
Costa da Caparica Portugal
Fatima Portugal
Nazare Portugal
Batalha Portugal
Ericeira Portugal
Peniche Portugal
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Elvas Portugal
Troia Portugal
Berlengas islands
Estoril Portugal