What to see and where to stay in Coimbra – one of the oldest city in Portugal

Coimbra is a multicolored town perched on a hillside, on the east bank of the Rio Mondeg. It was for a very long time the capital of Portugal and the birth place of many kings. Its medieval buildings, beautiful churches and peaceful monasteries contrast with the modern and buzzing lower part of the city, where you can find trendy restaurants, bars and shops.

Coimbra is home to the greatest university in Portugal and you will definitely feel the student vibe. There is plenty to see in Coimbra and we have selected 5 things that you have to do when visiting the city.

Biblioteca Joanina – a beautiful library in the University of Coimbra

It is a Baroque library (18^th century), located in the historic center of the University of Coimbra. It is filled with old books, some of them very rare, and the architecture with its intricate carvings and gold leaves is definitely a must see. You will find useful information in several languages, and it is considered as one of the most beautiful library in the world. It is part of the tour of the University.

Igreja e Mosteiro da Santa Cruz – The Santa Cruz church with the status of National Pantheon.

It is the resting place of the first 2 kings of Portugal: Afonso Henriques and Sancho I. The interior of the church is filled with beautiful tiles (azulejos).  There is a very beautiful baroque pipe organ, with 4,000 pipes, not to be missed are the cloisters and the sacristy.

Fado ao Centro – learn more about the Fado and its origins.

Fado is a music genre dating back from the 19^th century. Fado means destiny, fate in Portuguese. The venue Fado ao Centro promotes the Fado from Coimbra. It is unique as it is only sung by men. They choose the best artists to come and perform and the venue has a very intimate atmosphere. It is a great place for the Fado connoisseurs but also if you want to learn more about the music genre. The artists will spend time explaining the origin of the Fado from Coimbra, making it accessible to the novice. The venue is very popular with locals and they do serve a glass of porto at the end of the performance. You can also meet the artists.

Parque Verde do Mondego – a great place to relax on a summer day

The park is located by the river and will make a nice break from visiting all the historic places that Coimbra has to offer. It is perfect on a summer day as you can take a blanket and a picnic basket. There are a few benches and fountains. You can even try fishing or canoeing and feeding the ducks. There are a few nice bars and restaurants. It is a great location for children to play and just to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the city centre.

The romans ruins in Conimbriga – visit the best preserved roman ruins in Portugal

The site was originally a Celtic settlement before being occupied by the romans in the 1^st century AD. They turned the location into a prosperous city, which was later destroyed during barbarian’s invasions, in 486 AD. The stunning mosaics and roman baths (reconstructed) are a must see. It is also a great place for adults and children alike, as some of the roman buildings have been rebuilt, giving you a real understanding on how the city was functioning.

The Bungalows Coimbra are a great choice if you want to have a base, from where you can easily access the city of Coimbra with all its historical sites. The bungalows are comfortable, in a quiet location and have disabled facilities. They all come with a fridge, TV, heating and shower. There is a supermarket, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a spa/wellness centre.

For more information, visit the BungalowsClub website.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons