Portugal - Coimbra

Mondego river, Coimbra.

The little town of Portugal.

Steeped in history and long regarded as Portugal’s cultural and intellectual centre, the district of Coimbra is a timeless destination that has inspired the works of acclaimed poets and writers, a long-standing tradition of soulful Fado serenades and a truly unique legacy of high-spirited academic rituals.

Coimbra is spread before the lovely Mondego river (the longest in the country) and is located between the central Portuguese districts of Aveiro and Viseu.

Chronicled as the most historic city in the region, the capital of Coimbra cradles some of the district’s most revered customs and monuments. After years of Roman occupation and Medieval rule, traces of Coimbra’s earliest days are scattered throughout the district and can be found in the historical port town of Figueira da Foz, Montemor-o-Velho’s imposing 9th Century castle and the ancient ruins of Conímbriga.

At the city’s highest point, you will find the prestigious University of Coimbra and its majestic 18th Century library, as well as the enchanting Botanic Garden. Also sharing this hilltop location is the 16th Century New Cathedral (Sé Nova) and the popular Machado de Castro art museum.

With its countless steps leading down to the historic centre, the Quebra Costas stairway (literally ‘the backbreaker’) has become a landmark in its own right. Here, you will find dynamic streets filled with typical restaurants and bars, shops of all sorts and many cafés. The Old Cathedral (Sé Velha), the City Hall and the Santa Cruz Church are some of the main attractions in the area and definitely worth a visit.

Every year, Coimbra attracts visitors with its vivacious academic celebrations, where enthusiastic crowds of students proudly parade their black cloaks throughout the city’s streets, chant cheerful folk songs and fill the air with the sound of guitars playing melodious Fado tunes. One of the most popular traditions is the Queima das Fitas, a graduation ceremony that takes place every May, when students burn ribbons to symbolise the end of their academic days.

Another attraction well worth visiting is the popular Portugal dos Pequenitos theme park, located on the south side of the river; a wonderful place where visitors of all ages can explore small-scale replicas of typical Portuguese villages, national monuments and buildings. Also be sure to see the intriguing ruins of the nearby Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery.

Universidade de Coimbra.