Portugal / The Silver Coast & Central Portugal / CoimbraCoimbra
Portugal's Oldest University and Its Gilded Library
Portugal's medieval capital and the seat of its oldest university (1290), on a hill above the Mondego river: the UNESCO-listed university's Paço das Escolas, the gilded baroque Joanina Library (timed entry; a colony of bats eats the insects that would harm its books), the old and new cathedrals, and the steep lanes of the Alta. Students in black capes, Coimbra fado in the evening, the Santa Clara monasteries across the river, and the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, 20 minutes south. Main-line trains stop at Coimbra-B, a short shuttle train from the centre.
Highlights
- Joanina Library
- University courtyard and tower
- Old Cathedral
- Coimbra fado
- Conímbriga's Roman mosaics
- The Alta's steep lanes
Things to do
- University of Coimbra and the Joanina LibraryMorning · 2h 30m
- Old Cathedral and the lanes of the AltaAfternoon · 2h
- Coimbra fadoEvening · 1h 30m
- Conímbriga Roman ruins and museumMorning · 3h
- Mondego riverside and Santa Clara-a-VelhaAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: March – June, September – October
Heads up
Summer Heatwaves
Heatwaves of 35-40 °C reach Lisbon, Porto and the centre in July and August, a few days at a time. Lisbon's and Porto's hills are hard work in the afternoon heat: start early and keep the middle of the day for museums.
Worth knowing
Wildfire Season
From July to September hot, dry winds spread wildfires in the forests of the centre and north, the Algarve hills (Monchique) and Madeira, as in 2017, 2024 and 2025. Follow the civil-protection text alerts, obey road and trail closures, never light a fire or barbecue outdoors, and check before a hike. Travel insurance should cover cancellations.
- Queima das Fitas (Coimbra) — Coimbra's week-long student festival at the end of the academic year: the burning of the faculty ribbons, a serenade in fado at the Old Cathedral at midnight, a parade of floats and nightly concerts. The town is packed and loud.