One Day in Coimbra, Portugal: 10 Amazing Things To Do

Last Updated on: 14th May 2024, 11:48 am

Coimbra, Portugal may be Portugal’s greatest hidden gem. While Porto and Lisbon are certainly more famous, if you are visiting Portugal I urge you not to miss out on Coimbra.

Coimbra is famous for its University – a reported inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series! There’s much more than the University to see if you have one day in Coimbra. Coimbra has two beautiful Cathedrals, one of Portugal’s most beautiful abandoned monasteries, excellent food and world-class museums.

What’s more? Coimbra’s University and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Including the Machado de Castro National Museum!

It’s possible to visit Coimbra as a day trip from Porto or take a day trip from Lisbon to Coimbra. Coimbra also makes a wonderful home-base for exploring central Portugal’s three UNESCO World Heritage Listed monasteries: Alcobaça, Batalha, and Tomar.

My advice? Stay at least one night in Coimbra, if not two or three. Coimbra has a lot more to offer than first meets the eye!

Here is my itinerary for how to spend one day in Coimbra – and an awesome day at that!

Planning a Last-Minute Trip to Coimbra? We’ve Got You Covered!

🏨 Great Hotels in Coimbra
✈︎ Solar Antigo Luxury Hotel (Central, Beautiful Views & Lovely Breakfast) $$
✈︎ Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas (Most famous hotel in Coimbra – Luxury & History!) $$$
✈︎ The Luggage (Budget friendly, very highly rated – walking distance to everything!) $

🛵Best Activities in Coimbra
✈︎ Skip-The-Line Walking Tour of Coimbra University (Highest rated tour – do not miss Coimbra University and Library whatever you do!!)
✈︎ Half-Day Tour to Roman City of Coimbraga from Coimbra(Highly rated half-day tour to a must-see Roman city just outside of Coimbra!)
✈︎ Live Fado Show and Port Wine Tasting (A wonderful evening activity in Coimbra – known for Fado.)

💶 Travel Insurance
✈︎ Do not forget to purchase comprehensive travel insurance before you leave for Barcelona! I use SafetyWing Travel Insurance and have always been very happy with their service and pricing!

Getting to Coimbra, Portugal

Coimbra, Portugal is easy to get to from both Lisbon and Porto. Trains leave almost every hour from Porto and it’s a quick, easy 1-hour train ride from Porto to Coimbra. This makes Coimbra an excellent day-trip option from Porto – although I really do recommend staying at least one night in Coimbra. Once you see all there is to do – you may well want to stay two or three!

Trains also travel from Lisbon to Coimbra. The shortest trip takes around 2 hours, with longer options involving a change and taking up to 3.5 hours.

Central Portugal is also an excellent area to explore by car. I rented a car at the end of my trip to Coimbra to drive to the three UNESCO World Heritage Monasteries in Central Portugal and loved driving around the region. From Coimbra, you can easily make a trip by car to the seacoast and Portugal’s fishing villages, the Shrine of Fatima, or even the medieval town of Obidos.

Itinerary for One Day in Coimbra, Portugal

It is going to become apparent very quickly that to fully experience all Coimbra has to offer, you are going to need more than one day in Coimbra!

But if you only have one day in Coimbra – here is my suggested itinerary!

Morning: Visit Coimbra University

Mid-Morning: Unfortunately here is where you will have to choose! Choose between: Coimbra’s Botanical Gardens and Roman Aqueduct, or a tour of the Natural History Museum

Lunch: Buffet or A la Carte Lunch at Loggia, adjacent to the Machado de Castro National (gorgeous views!)

After Lunch: Visit the Roman Ruins at the Machado de Castro National or the Natural History Museum (if you chose the Botanical Gardens earlier).

Mid-Afternoon: Explore the Old Cathedral of Coimbra: the Sé Velha

Evening: Dinner at Ze Manel dos Ossos

Next Morning: Visit the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Coimbra

Things to Do in Coimbra

Many people have asked me since I returned from Portugal: is Coimbra worth visiting? I hope this partial list of things to do in Coimbra convinces you of my answer: absolutely!

In fact, there is much more to do and see in Coimbra than I could possibly list here or that you could see in one day in Coimbra.

Here are the top things to do in Coimbra — some you can see if you have one day in Coimbra, and some are bonuses in case you have more time!

1. Visit Coimbra University: Inspiration for Harry Potter

The University of Coimbra is far and away Coimbra’s best attraction and the best thing to do in Coimbra…according to most. [As I am personally obsessed with Monasteries, the abandoned Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha was my favorite attraction in Coimbra!]

Don’t get me wrong: it is amazing. And should be at the top of your list for your time in Coimbra. I will simply always pick a monastery as my favorite thing to do!

Coimbra University is an active University, and one of the best parts if you go during the semester is seeing students walking around in big groups wearing…Harry Potter costumes?! Nope! These were Coimbra’s robes long before Harry Potter!

To visit Coimbra University, you do need to purchase tickets. There is an option with or without the Baroque Library. Since the Baroque Library of Coimbra University is without a doubt its most wondrous and beautiful feature – this isn’t a place to save a few Euros. Go for it! You can also purchase a ticket to the Science or Natural History museum while you are there.

Sadly, you can’t take pictures in the Baroque Library. Tours through the University’s main buildings, including the gorgeous Saint Michael’s Chapel, are timed and guided. When you buy your ticket you will be given a time. Spend some time enjoying the beautiful courtyard of Coimbra University, then make your way to the start of the tour.

I loved visiting Coimbra University. Don’t miss the beautiful views out of the windows on the last parts of the tour in the lecture halls and ceremonial rooms.

The University itself has so many unique traditions and has really held onto its Medieval identity. If I didn’t already have a degree way too many degrees I would totally try and go back there (barring learning Portuguese and all!)

2. Wander Coimbra’s Botanical Gardens

After immersing yourself in the architectural beauty & historic culture of Coimbra University, you may well be seeking a moment of rest to absorb it all. Coimbra’s Botanical Gardens are a wonderful next stop!

If you only have one day in Coimbra, you are (sadly!) going to have to choose between visiting the Botanical Gardens or the Natural History Museum…I would probably lean towards the Museum.

Of course, the Botanical gardens are an excellent place for Instagram photos in Coimbra – with their beautiful fountains and a lovely double staircase.

The Botanical Gardens of Coimbra were founded in 1772. They were free to enter when I went, and open from 8 am -5pm in Winter, 8 pm in Summer.

There are distinct areas of the Gardens (don’t worry – there are maps everywhere!) representing different latitudes and climates. In one area that is a beautiful fountain and you can view the Roman Aqueduct in Coimbra.

3. Tour Coimbra’s (slightly creepy) Science Museum

Coimbra’s Science museum is...just awesome. Also a little creepy, but in a good way I promise. If you’ve ever fantasized about being an explorer-naturalist in the 1800’s, then this place if for you!

Or if you aren’t weird like me, this place is still for you because it has to be one of the only museums of its kind.

The Science Museum is spread out over two buildings. If you didn’t purchase your ticket at the same time as you purchased your ticket for Coimbra University, you’ll purchase your ticket and start your tour in the Chemistry building.

All tours are guided, but you’ll also have some independent time once the tour is over for the interactive exhibits (also in the Chemistry building). Coimbra’s science museum is one of the best things to do in Coimbra Portugal with kids because there are lots of interactive exhibits!

Without a doubt, my favorite part of Coimbra’s science museum, and why I think it’s Coimbra Portugal things to do, is the natural history section.

This section, and the physics section, are like stepping back in time! The specimens in the Natural History section range from a Bezoar to a whole Blue Whale!

Take your time to explore the surprising treasures through many rooms and cases. Feel for a moment like Harry Potter in Potions lab!

And when you’ve had your eyes-full of incredible-ness: get ready for Coimbra’s two unbelievable churches.

4. Visit the New Cathedral, Sé Nova

I went to Coimbra for so many reasons, but none was more important that Coimbra’s incredible churches and monasteries. I started my day of being blown-away by Coimbra’s incredible religious architecture in Coimbra’s newer Cathedral (because even a small city in Portugal has a few Cathedrals to choose from!): the Sé Nova.

Hint: in Portuguese, Sé means Cathedral.

I really love the formal name of Coimbra’s New Cathedral: The Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus.

I am not Roman Catholic, but along with many beautiful part of Roman Catholicism that I admire, I do think Catholic Cathedrals have the absolute best names!

Coimbra’s New Cathedral was originally the church of the Jesuit house in Coimbra. After the Jesuit order was banned in Portugal, and the seat of the Bishop moves from Coimbra’s Old Cathedral (see below!) — this larger, spacious building became Coimbra’s New Cathedral….literally.

Inside the Sé Nova of Coimbra, the most impressive features are two massive gilt (gold!) altars in very ornate Baroque style.

The Sé Nova of Coimba is very easy and quick to visit because it located right by the University and right next door to the Machado de Castro National Museum.

It’s just a short walk down a hill (have I mentioned Coimbra’s hills yet?!) to the Romanesque Old Cathedral of Coimbra, the Sé Velha.

5. Immerse Yourself in Coimbra’s Stunning Old Cathedral, Sé Velha

If you haven’t heard me say it yet, then let me say it here: I love Romanesque Cathedrals!

And the Old Cathedral of Coimbra has to be one of my favorite Romanesque Cathedrals to date, possibly one of my favorite Cathedrals around the world. Partially because it was such an amazing surprise!

I went to Coimbra primarily to visit the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha and only discovered Coimbra had a Romanesque Cathedral after I got there!

The Old Cathedral of Coimbra, the Sé Velha, was built starting in 1139 – mostly likely by the same architect who built the beautiful Romanesque Cathedral in Lisbon: Master Robert. Who was probably French, not Portuguese – which explains why I did have moments of thinking I was in France while inside!

Unlike a lot of Portugal’s Romanesque Cathedrals, the Old Cathedral of Coimbra has stayed relatively intact. The whole Cathedral, from the outside, has narrow windows and gives the impression of a Fortress as much as a Cathedral! A new doorway was added in the 1500’s and reflects a Renaissance style. I wished I had stayed right by this beautiful Cathedral, one of my favorites in my travels, such as this lovely apartment with such a view!

My favorite part of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra was the Cloisters! They were built in the early 13th century and are on the cusp of the Gothic style, but still decidedly Romanesque. You pay a small fee to see the Cloisters and I say it is well worth it! Other than one German couple, I was the only one inside. It was a peaceful, quiet place to sit and imagine clergy praying. !

6. Visit the incredible Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha

The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha is one of my favorite monasteries that I’ve ever been to.

In fact, I loved it so much I wrote a whole post about the Monastery of Santa Clara!

The Monastery was once a thriving religious house but suffered by being (far!) too close to the Mondongo river. After one-too-many floods, the sisters moved up the hill to what is now the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova. This monastery is visible from the old monastery, Santa Clara-a-Velha.

Today, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha — which was exceptionally well preserved under the mud of the river – is open for visitors to explore its ruins. If you are a fan of abandoned places or ruins, this place is for you! I believe it is one of the most beautiful monasteries in the world, and to think you can wander in every nook and cranny of it exploring!

When I went I was the only person there and it was truly a spiritual and mystical experience. It’s one of the best places for photography in all of Portugal! HINT: Try and go first thing in the morning and you may just have it all to yourself like I did!

7. Explore the Roman Ruins at the Machado de Castro National Museum

The Machado de Castro Museum is one of Portugal’s national museums. The museum itself is world-class and the view from its terrace is perhaps one of the best places for Coimbra sightseeing. From the terrace you can see a beautiful view of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra and of the orange rooftops Coimbra is famous for.

The Museum itself is built above thee beautifully preserved Roman ruins of Coimbra. Once you enter the Museum, you can descend to this cool and mysterious world of history to explore the ancient tunnels.

The Museum also houses an amazing exhibit of Romanesque sculptures: capitals, columns, and arches. If you love Romanesque architecture like I do, not only do you want to make sure you don’t miss the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, but don’t miss the Museo Machado de Casto! It is second only to the Cluny Museum in Paris in terms of my favorite religious-themed museums!

Since this is Portugal after all, there is also a tile exhibit! There are also special rotating exhibits, chapels, and other features to see throughout the Museum!

8. Have Lunch or Drink Coffee with the Best View in Coimbra at Loggia

Whether before or after your visit to the Machado de Castro Museum, take advantage of the Café integrated with the Museum’s terrace: Loggia. Offering a reasonable buffet lunch, and coffee and a la carte options throughout the day, Loggia has good food, fair prices, and an exceptional view!

After walking up quite a lot of hills to visit the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, and then up to the Machado de Castro museum, I enjoyed a nice glass of wine on the terrace at Loggia. The views were truly outstanding: a perfect view of the Cathedral, the Mondego river, and even both Monasteries of Santa Clara: Velha and Nova!

9. Visit the Manga Cloister Fountains

The Jardim de Manga or the Manga Cloister Fountains translates in English to: The Garden of the Sleeve. Well…that is a name that must have a backstory!

The Manga Cloister Fountains are nestled behind the 16th century Monastery of Santa Cruz (another one of the great things to do in Coimbra Portugal!). Apparently King João III designed them by drawing on his sleeve – hence the name Jardim de Manga o Manga Cloister.

However they were designed, they are stunningly beautiful and unique. It is said to have been inspired by Arabic architecture, and you can see the resemblance. The main dome and each of the small chapels has its own water feature and there are buttresses “flying” up to the main dome, that reminds me of a Gazebo in a park.

This is a quick stop on your one day in Coimbra, but well worth a few minutes to marvel at and photograph. It may be the best Instagram spot in Coimbra!

10. Have one of the best meals of your life at Ze Manel dos Ossos

Address: Beco do Forno 12, Coimbra 3000-192 Portugal

Without a doubt, a meal at Ze Manel dos Ossos might be one of the best of your trip to Coimbra, Portugal…or your life!

First: Be prepared to wait in line!

Second: It is so worth it!

When I went to Coimbra I read extensively to discern what the best places to eat in Coimbra were. While many restaurants sounded great, and I didn’t have a bad meal the whole time I was there, every guide I read said to try and get a table at Ze Manel dos Ossos.

Ze Manel dos Ossos is a traditional restaurant in Coimbra with room for only 16 people (and likely fewer now with the current situation). Further, this is such a traditional restaurant and well-loved in the local community that there are plenty of reports of the waiters looking at the lines outside and picking out locals and friends to get the last tables of the night. While I can imagine this is very annoying for those who have waited longer, I can empathize.

Personally, I’d rather go to a place locals truly love even if it means a long or risky wait.

The night I decided to try and get to Ze Manel I got rather lost walking there and didn’t arrive as early as I hoped. Arrive at least 30 minutes before opening!

I brought my trusty Kindle and hoped maybe some kind locals in a smaller party would let me, a solo traveler, join their table as I doubted the staff would use up an entire table just for me. In front of me in line were some American travelers. And lo and behold: they were having a very intelligent discussion of Reformed Theology and recent happenings in the Methodist Church.

I tried not to overhear, but after about 20 minutes in line I was glad when two of them turned to me and introduced themselves.

We struck up some conversation and the time flew by. Suddenly it was their turn to go in! But, of course, the tables seat four – so they invited me to join them for dinner.

I know that sometimes the quality of food is influenced by the memories associated with it: and all-in-all my dinner at Ze Manel dos Ossos was a delightful affair with great new friends and conversation. Still, I believe that the food was objectively the best I had in Portugal. It was also the most traditional. Meats came with plain boiled potatoes and spinach – which I happen to adore – and there was a delectable cheese course, glorious grilled mushrooms, and lovely house wine.

Even if you only have one day in Coimbra, it is worth it to take the evening to enjoy Ze Manel . Remember: go early, and hold the experience loosely. Respect that this is a local establishment and commit to being content with whatever your experience is!

It might just be the best evening you spend in Portugal – like mine was!

Fun end to the story: After saying goodbye to my new friends after a wonderful, two hour dinner, I didn’t expect to see them again. But alas! A full week later, in Lisbon for my flight back to the USA, there they were at the gate! And not only that – but we had seats together on the plane! I love these special travel relationships and moments. There’s just nothing like it!

Getting Around Coimbra

The best way to get around Coimbra is on your own two feet!

That said: Note that Coimbra is very hilly. What looks like a quite close distance on Google Maps is frequently up and down and around lots of hills.

Give yourself way more time than you think you’ll need to get from place to place in Coimbra. I found it usually took me a bit longer than it says on Google Maps “walking” mode to get anywhere. Here at home, I can usually beat Google Maps’ suggested length of time walking by at least a few minutes – but in Coimbra I was always slow!

The good news: even with one day in Coimbra, you’ll leave with very strong glutes from the hills!

And who doesn’t love that?!

There are taxis available in Coimbra, but not Uber when I was there in 2019. My hotel called me a taxi on my last day so I could get my suitcase to the other side of town where I was picking up my rental car.

Day Trips from Coimbra

Many tourists take a day trip to Coimbra from Porto in the North or even Porto in the South. My advice: stay in Coimbra, where it is cheaper and cozier, and take day trips to the many lovely places around Coimbra!

Day trip from Coimbra to Porto

You can easily take a day trip to the lovely northern city of Porto, itself home to many beautiful Churches and Monasteries! (Among other wonderful things to do in Porto!). The faster train, the Alfa Pendular, takes merely 1 hour and 5 minutes! There are slower, local trains that make more stops and can take up to two hours but will cost less.

Day trip from Coimbra to the UNESCO World Heritage Monasteries: Alcobaça, Batalha, Tomar

If you rent a car in Coimbra, it’s very possible to visit one or two of the UNESCO World Heritage Monasteries in Central Portugal on a day trip from Coimbra.

It takes about 50 minutes of easy driving to drive from Coimbra to Batalha, 25 minutes from Batalha Monastery to Alcobaça, and Tomar Convento de Christo is only about 50 minutes from Coimbra. The time it takes to tour and enjoy these monasteries would make it difficult, but not impossible, to see all three in one day, but you could easily see all three in two seperate day-trips from Coimbra.

I would combine Batalha and Alcobaça in one day and visit Tomar the next as the city of Tomar is really beautiful! You could definitely add a stop at the Shrine of Fatima – one of the best pilgrimage sites in Europe!

If you are not renting a car and prefer to take the train, the only train goes from Coimbra to Tomar Portugal making that an excellent day trip from Coimbra (Total time each way = 1 hour and 50 minutes, with one change).

Day trip from Coimbra to Nazaré: Coastal Fishing Village

You have to have a car to get to Nazaré as a day trip from Coimbra, but it is well worth it if you do!

Only an hour and 10 minutes of picturesque countryside driving from Coimbra, Nazaré is known for its beach, delicious seafood, and traditional culture. It is not uncommon to find fisherman and fishmongers still wearing traditional skirts and other clothing in Nazaré. If you are looking for a bit of sun, salt-water, and the best Arroz de Marisco (rice and seafood dish) you can imagine: head to Nazaré!

Day trip from Coimbra to Obidos:

Only 1 hour and 25 minutes by car is the popular medieval town of Obidos, Portugal: a town many describe as a “fairytale.” Obidos would make a wonderful day trip from Coimbra, Portugal!

Obidos is famous for its castle and its movie-set like whitewashed homes with yellow trim and cascading bougainvillea flowers. There are also wonderful churches in Obidos: the Santuário do Senhor Jesus da Pedra, the Igreja de Santa Maria, Igreja Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Óbidos and more! Just outside of Obidos is a sort of lagoon or lake of Óbidos that is well worth a day trip from Coimbra.

Where to Stay in Coimbra, Portugal

Coimbra had some of the best options for accommodation of any place I visited in Portugal. There were so many amazing hotels that range from Budget hotels all the way to the best of the best of Luxury – it was hard to choose!

Hotels in Coimbra

Use this map to explore hotel options in Coimbra, Portugal!

https://stay22.com/embed/65a572ff5ddc994cc08de155

I loved my stay at the Solar Antigo Luxury hotel. I stayed in an upstairs room that was small but beautifully appointed (seriously, one of the loveliest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in!). The view was unbelievable over the rooftops of Coimbra, the shower was top-notch, and breakfast arrived each day in a very sweet basked (breakfast in bed every day!). The staff were wonderful and helpful throughout my visit, too.

The most famous hotel in Coimbra happens to be right by the Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha! The Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas is a renovated, 5-star property, but with rates starting at $129 USD a night it’s also “affordable luxury” for a splurge on your trip!

What’s so special about the Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas? The story of King Pedro and his love, Inès de Castro, is famous in Portugal. Sadly, Pedro’s father had Inès murdered — reportedly right in the garden of what is now the Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas, which translates to Garden of Tears!

Maybe I wouldn’t stay there for my honeymoon: but it makes for a great story!

HINT: For a small fee you can visit the gardens and grounds without staying at the hotel. They are beautiful and well worth it – although the fountain Inès was supposedly murdered at is just an average fountain, nothing special.

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