Portugal

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Coimbra

Portugal's historic university city on the Mondego

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Coimbra Plan a trip around Portugal

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: EUR
Time zone: UTC+0
Country: Portugal

Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0

Coimbra is a hilltop city on the Mondego River, home to one of the world's oldest universities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors come for its medieval streets, Baroque library, Roman remains and lively student traditions.

Largest cities

Lisbon
Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Braga
Coimbra

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
City population: 140,816
Population of Portugal: 10.3M
Country area: 92,225 km²
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8934 EUR
Time zone: UTC+0
Calling code: +351
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 54 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	15°	17°	18°	21°	23°	26°	29°	30°	26°	23°	18°	15°
Low	6°	7°	8°	10°	11°	15°	16°	16°	15°	14°	10°	8°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$48
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$95
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$195

Plan a trip to Coimbra

Top things to do

≈ $15
University of Coimbra
Tour the UNESCO-listed campus including the Baroque Joanina Library and the tower; book a timed ticket in advance as entry is limited.
- Half day
- Alta (upper town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $6
Machado de Castro National Museum
See sculpture, archaeology and the Roman cryptoporticus beneath the former bishop's palace; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Alta (upper town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
≈ $3
Old Cathedral (Sé Velha)
A 12th-century Romanesque cathedral with a fortified look and Renaissance additions; the cloister is a quiet stop.
- Half day
- Alta (upper town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
Monastery of the Holy Cross
Founded in 1131, this church holds the tombs of Portugal's first kings and has a richly carved Manueline interior.
- Half day
- Baixa (lower town)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Botanical Garden
A peaceful university garden with exotic trees and terraces; free entry and a good break from the uphill streets.
- Half day
- Alta (upper town)
- Good for kids
≈ $4
Old Monastery of Saint Clare
Gothic riverside convent ruins with an excavated cloister; visit in the morning when it is cooler.
- Half day
- Santa Clara
- Good for kids
Free
Parque Verde do Mondego
Riverside park for a stroll or bike ride; lively at sunset with views back to the old town.
- Half day
- Mondego riverside
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $6
Conímbriga Roman ruins day trip
Take a bus or taxi about 15 km south to Portugal's best-preserved Roman site with mosaics and baths; wear sun protection as there is little shade.
- Full day
- Santa Clara
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Portugal is in the Schengen area, so many visitors from the Gulf, India and Latin America can enter visa-free for short tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while some nationalities need a Schengen visa applied for in advance; check your own nationality before booking. British citizens can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days and may be asked for a return ticket and proof of funds. The EU Entry/Exit System now registers fingerprints and a photo at the border for short stays, at no cost, and can add time at immigration.

Official website

From the airport

The nearest airports are Porto (OPO) and Lisbon (LIS); from either, take a train to Coimbra-B (about 1 hour from Porto, 1 hour 45 minutes from Lisbon) and change to a local train for Coimbra-A near the centre. Buses and shared shuttles also run from both cities.

Getting around

Most sights are walkable in the Baixa and Alta districts; SMTUC buses and the small blue 'Pantufinhas' line cover steeper routes, and an elevator links the market area to the upper town.

Local tips

Wear comfortable shoes: the historic centre is hilly with cobbled streets.
Many shops and cafés close for lunch between 13:00 and 15:00; plan meals around this.
Carry some cash for small bakeries and older shops, though cards are widely accepted.
Book university library and museum tickets in advance in summer to avoid queues.