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Coimbra Culture & history

Our most recommended Coimbra Culture & history

Coimbra: University of Coimbra Guided Tour

1. Coimbra: University of Coimbra Guided Tour

Explore the University of Coimbra on a guided walking tour, including visits to the Biblioteca Joanina, São Miguel Chapel, and Royal Palace. Start your tour in Porta Férrea, where you can access the historic sections of the University of Coimbra. Visit the Royal Palace, the Royal Chapel of Saint Michael and the Joanine Library. Next, see how this area has transformed over time with a walk through the Upper Town. Stop near the New Cathedral and learn about the student traditions that take place there. Pass by the "Repúblicas", typical student houses in Coimbra. End our visit in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria (Old Cathedral), site of the biggest student part in the country: the Queima das Fitas. Learn about the Monumental Serenade and other traditions.

From Lisbon: Day Trip to Porto, Óbidos, and Nazaré

2. From Lisbon: Day Trip to Porto, Óbidos, and Nazaré

Discover three amazing Portuguese cities: Porto, Nazaré, and Óbidos with a bus sightseeing tour from Lisbon. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Portugal and feel inspired by the architecture, history, and culture of these beautiful cities. Get comfortable in an air-conditioned vehicle as you start your journey toward the town of Óbidos, where we will start with a guided tour accompanied by a local guide. Completely surrounded by ancient walls and preserving all its medieval charm, Óbidos is one of the most famous and visited places in Portugal, and a must-see in the surroundings of Lisbon. The narrow cobbled streets that can be seen in Óbidos will immediately transport you to a medieval atmosphere. These streets are home to perfectly preserved old houses, historic buildings, and important monuments. Dominating the historic center in the highest part of the village, visit the Castle of Óbidos, which is declared one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. Start at the village main gate, and discover the amazing narrow streets outside of the beaten track. Visit the secret Jewish neighborhood and its white-painted houses with some great spots to take pictures. Walk along Rua Dereita, the most famous street, full of stores and traditional restaurants, and get to the castle of Óbidos. It was built in the 12th-century, although it has Roman constructions in its beginnings. It can be said that it is one of the best preserved and largest fortresses of the country, being listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. From there, you will clearly see the great wall of Óbidos, another of the town’s great symbols. Continue the trip heading to possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré, where you will visit the Forte de Sao Miguel. This site has become world-famous for the giant wave that hits its coast every winter and attracts lots of surfers from all over the world. Then, walk through O Sitio, where the famous streets present a collection of religious buildings and are a hugely popular site for pilgrims from all around the globe. Hike your way up to the summit, where you'll find medieval fortifications, 17th-century churches, and modern shrines. Wander the courtyards and plazas surrounded by ornate structures, basilicas, and statues. Next, head to Oporto, the last stop of the day. First you will have 1h to have a typical Portuguese lunch on your own to regain energy, and then, the visit will start. A vibrant 1.5-hour walking tour, where you will admire the stunning Old Town on the picturesque Douro River, complete with six bridges, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Igreja Carmen, Estação São Bento, Igreja São Francisco and Ponte Don Luis. At the end of your tour, you will return to the center of Lisbon and your guide will recommend things to do during the rest of your stay.

From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Private Tour

3. From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Private Tour

Departing from the city of Porto, in a short, comfortable and private trip of 30 minutes, discover the beauty of the city of Aveiro and its famous Ria de Aveiro. Enjoy the peace and tranquility that this place provides. At your own pace and away from the crowds, interact with the community and learn about their stories in a mix between nature and gastronomy, in a unique and unforgettable experience. Have a memorable lunch at a local restaurant and choose the places to enjoy: • discover why it is known as the Venice of Portugal • explore its numerous canals and bridges. • visit the fish market, past Art Nouveau buildings, and colorful moliceiro boats. • Add a cruise on the Ria Aveiro, to further explore the city from the Ria. • discover Costa Nova, where you will have the opportunity to see and photograph the colorful fishermen's houses, typically painted with vertical stripes. The journey continues to the historic city of Coimbra. The city of students and the oldest university in the country, (12th century), and one of the oldest in the world. Take the time to: • visit the Joanina Library with its collection of over 300,000 books and some of the rarest manuscripts in the entire country. • visit the Old Romanesque style Cathedral (Sé Velha). • crossing the river to visit the Santa Clara Convent and the Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears), where the love between Pedro and Inês blossomed. • having a lunch at one of the taverns downtown, where you can find the most delicious snacks. Return comfortably to your hotel in Porto after a day filled with culture and beauty that will surely stay in your best memories.

From Lisbon: Aveiro, Moliceiro Boat and Coimbra Tour

4. From Lisbon: Aveiro, Moliceiro Boat and Coimbra Tour

First you will visit one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, Aveiro. Discover the city's many canals and bridges as you take a ride on a Moliceiro, a small boat typical of the local area. By taking a trip on a Moliceiro you will be able to enjoy the city's beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and bridges from the water. Next, stroll through Aveiro's historic center on a walking tour. See the Convent of Santa Joana, Aveiro Cathedral, Chapel of St. Gonçalinho, and the Misericordia Church. Try the famous Ovos Moles de Aveiro, a sweet pastry typical of Aveiro. You'll then explore one of the city's must-see attractions, the Costa Nova Beach. Pose for photos in front of the beach's famous striped and colorful houses. Next, continue towards Coimbra, a city full of history and tradition, with the Mondego River passing through it. Visit the narrow and steep streets of the University of Coimbra, the oldest in Portugal. Finally, discover the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the riverside area, and of course the Convent of Santa Clara.

Coimbra: Historic Center Guided Tour

5. Coimbra: Historic Center Guided Tour

Stroll the historic city center of Coimbra with a guide. Learn about the city as you visit its historic university, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, and the Church of Santa Cruz. Meet your guide in front of the Porto Ferrea to start your tour. Begin with a visit to the old University of Coimbra. Visit the historic buildings at the university with your guide. See the Royal Palace, the Royal Chapel of São Miguel, and the Joanina Library. Afterward, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria, also known as the Old Cathedral. Admire the collection of Romanesque sculptures adorning the building. End our visit to the Church of Santa Cruz. Experience this old monastery where the first two kings of Portugal are buried.

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What people are saying about Coimbra

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 138 reviews

My husband and I enjoyed our day trip to Obidos, Nazare and Porto. Our guide and the driver were fantastic and provided us with a great experience, within the time alotted, it was a long day but worth it. The only thing I would add to this trip is a tour of one of the Port producers - I mean, when in Porto ----- you just have to experience the Port! Again, 5 stars to our wonderful guide and driver for providing a comfortable, clean and safe van , excellent historic infomation, finding a local spot for a great non touristy lunch and engaged with all of us for a fun day!

What an amazing experience!!! Flavio was the BEST tour guide we could ever imagine, patient, informative and entertaining. He provided great stories on every places we visited. We fell in love with the medieval Óbidos, the ocean views of Nazaré and the charming Porto. Definitely a must-do trip! Worth your time and money!

Absolutely loved it and the tour was amazing. A huge shout out to our tour guide Flavio. He was amazing, patient and very nice person and showed us the city absolutely brilliant. He’s the best tour guide I personally ever had. And another huge shout out to the driver Carlos, super nice guy.

Well organized trip, comfortable ride in conditioned mini-bus, guide gave free time in each location to walk. Recommend if you want to visit Porto but do not have much time

The first two stops were great but Porto was the best. The guide gave a very thorough tour through the city.