Bathed by the Mondego River, Coimbra is known as the “city of students” of black capes, of Fado and academic bohemia.
Fruit from a past full of history, this city is rich in traditions and legends, and was the stage of the most wonderful love story between D. Pedro and Inês de Castro, historical characters who lived the most famous and tragic Portuguese love story. It was the birthplace of kings of Portugal and is a historically university town for hosting the first Portuguese university and one of the oldest in the world, a peculiarity that made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Coimbra has
more charm
City of students, with mountains to lose sight of, historical monuments and a unique gastronomy, Coimbra has undoubtedly more charm.
What to visit?
Alta area and the University of Coimbra
Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the University of Coimbra has been the stage of several architectural experiments, becoming a reference at the aesthetic, artistic and programmatic level.The oldest core of the University is located in the Paço das Escolas, where we can also find the magnificent Biblioteca Joanina (library).Founded as a study library, it is the greatest exponent of Portuguese Baroque and is considered one of the most dazzling libraries in the world, both for its decorative richness and for the valuable bibliographical collection of around two hundred thousand volumes, dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Little Portugal
Built in 1940, Portugal dos Pequenitos is a playground entirely dedicated to children, where we can find reproductions of the Portuguese architectural heritage through examples of traditional houses and replicas of national monuments in miniature size.It also has a nucleus dedicated to the ethnographic and monumental representation of the Portuguese-speaking African countries, Macau, India and Timor, to remember the former Portuguese colonies.It is an excellent program to do with the family, especially with the younger ones.
Quinta das lágrimas
Scenario of the tragic Lusitanian love story between D. Pedro and Inês de Castro, Quinta das Lágrimas is rich in springs, historical gardens and even an 18th century palace transformed into a hotel.A romantic environment of pure relaxation, for a unique experience that will make you remember Coimbra for a long time.
Coimbra University Botanical Garden
Built in the 18th century with the purpose of studying and creating plants for medicinal purposes, the Botanical Garden of Coimbra University currently occupies an area of 13 hectares.With a baroque and neoclassical architecture present in its fountains and staircases, this garden is one of the most respected worldwide, allowing a trip to the four corners of the Earth, due to the diversity of plants that it has.Take the opportunity to visit the Estufa Grande, one of the oldest buildings of iron architecture in Portugal, where the combination of iron and glass gives the space a magnificent beauty.
Monastery of Santa Clara
The Monastery of Santa Clara, popularly known as Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha, was built in 1314 by D. Isabel of Aragon and is located on the left bank of the Mondego River.Due to its location, the monastery was subject to frequent flooding that forced the construction of an upper floor and the abandonment of the first floor.At the end of the 20th century the monastery underwent major restoration work that uncovered the structures and a vast and diverse collection of remains.