Portugal Homes
Get the best property advice.
Overlooking the Mondego River, Coimbra is Portugal’s fourth-largest urban centre, after Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. Best known as the country’s university city, Coimbra is home to the first university in Portugal and one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra comprises 31 historic buildings and was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The city’s long academic tradition has shaped its architecture, culture, and identity for over seven centuries.
The city is also a major cultural reference point thanks to Fado de Coimbra, a unique and scholarly musical genre deeply linked to academic traditions and student life.
Things to do in Coimbra
1. University of Coimbra (UNESCO Site)
The heart of the city and Coimbra’s most important landmark.
Founded in 1290 by King D. Dinis
Permanently established in Coimbra in 1537
Access through the historic Porta Férrea
Highlights include:
Paço das Escolas
University Tower and its famous bell, “A Cabra”
Chapel of São Miguel, with a Manueline portal
Biblioteca Joanina, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, featuring Baroque interiors, gilded woodcarving, and painted ceilings
The site also offers stunning views over the Mondego River and the Botanical Garden.
2. Listen to Fado de Coimbra
A deeply emotional and academic musical tradition unique to the city.
Roots date back to the 16th century
Performed exclusively by male voices
Uses a distinct Coimbra Portuguese guitar, tuned lower than Lisbon’s
Themes focus on longing, love, the city, and the university
Considered Portugal’s most erudite musical genre
Recommended venues include:
Fado Hilário
À Capella
Fado ao Centro
Café Santa Cruz
3. Santa Cruz Church and Monastery
One of Coimbra’s most historically significant religious sites.
Founded in 1131
Burial place of Portugal’s first two kings:
D. Afonso Henriques
D. Sancho I
Romanesque origins with later Manueline and Renaissance additions
Striking Manueline portal on the façade
Located beside Coimbra City Hall and Café Santa Cruz, the monastery dominates the square both architecturally and symbolically.
4. Santa Clara-a-Velha & Santa Clara-a-Nova Monasteries
Two closely linked monuments reflecting Coimbra’s complex history.
Santa Clara-a-Velha
Medieval convent abandoned in 1677 due to repeated flooding
Ruins preserved and accessible via a modern interpretive centre
Exhibition includes archaeological finds and a short documentary
Entry ticket: €4
Santa Clara-a-Nova
Built from 1649 onward to replace the old convent
Visitors can explore the church, cloister, and exhibitions
Offers one of the best panoramic views over Coimbra
5. Quinta das Lágrimas
One of Portugal’s most romantic and legendary sites.
Setting of the tragic love story of D. Pedro and Inês de Castro
Lush gardens with centuries-old trees
Neo-Gothic ruins and forest paths
The palace now operates as a luxury hotel
Legend says the waters of the Fonte dos Amores still carry Inês’ blood and Pedro’s tears.
6. Machado de Castro National Museum
One of Portugal’s most important museums of fine arts and archaeology.
Named after sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro
Housed in a former 12th-century bishop’s palace
Built over Coimbra’s ancient Roman forum
Visitors can explore underground Roman galleries
The collection spans over 2,000 years, including Gothic sculpture, Flemish painting, sacred art, and decorative works.
7. Portugal dos Pequenitos
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
A unique and family-friendly attraction.
Miniature Park showcasing Portuguese architecture and monuments
Replicas of houses from all Portuguese regions
Educational and playful experience for children and adults
Includes the Costume Museum, displaying traditional Portuguese clothing
Ticket prices:
Children: €5.95
Adults: €9.95
Coimbra offers a distinctive lifestyle shaped by history, education, and culture, combined with a calmer pace of life than Portugal’s larger cities. Its strong academic presence ensures constant demand for housing, while its central location makes it an attractive option for long-term living and investment.
For those seeking a city rich in heritage, culture, and long-term value, Coimbra stands as one of Portugal’s most compelling destinations.
Portugal Homes
Get the best property advice.