Is Coimbra Worth Visiting - 14 Pros & 2 Cons You Should Know

Is Coimbra worth visiting? That was the question that I kept pondering on when we were planning our itinerary through Portugal. Despite the fact that we had a month in the country, we were hard pressed for time because we wanted to visit a lot of places.

In the end, Coimbra was a stop on our long itinerary while we drove to our next location. It gave us an idea of what the city is like and answered our question.

So is Coimbra worth visiting? I think it is. Like all cities it has its own pros and cons which I’m going to explore with you in a bit. Thinking of adding Coimbra to your itinerary? These are some things you should know before you go.

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Is Coimbra Worth Visiting – Pros

1. Coimbra Is Well Connected To Lisbon And Porto

Coimbra is a pretty big city and it is well connected to both Lisbon and Porto. If you have a car, you can easily drive between cities. If you are dependent on public transport, you will still find that the commute is pretty easy because there are trains that connect all three cities.

Lisbon To Coimbra: It is 205 km from Lisbon to Coimbra. It takes about 2 hours 10 min to travel between the cities by car. If you want to take the train it can take anywhere between 1 hour 50 min to 2 hours 10 min. So it can even be faster by public transport.

Porto To Coimbra: Porto is 122 km away from Coimbra. The drive is short and it takes about one and half hour to make the journey by car. It takes 1 hour 40 min by train to travel between the cities.

2. The Locals Are Very Friendly

Is Coimbra worth visiting? One of the reasons why I found the city very welcoming was because the locals here are very friendly. It does not matter if you meet them in a museum or in a restaurant or whether there its where you stay. You will find that everyone is eager to talk and swap stories. That’s one of the reasons why Coimbra never feels lonely even if you are a solo traveler.

3. It Has A Large Expat Community

Since Coimbra is so welcoming, it has become increasingly popular with expats. The fact that there is a university here means that there are loads of jobs that are available. Many people also stay here as digital nomads. This is because the city has everything you could ever need.

Fast wifi, good accommodation, a lively nightlife, loads of different great restaurants and more. I mean if I could shift to Coimbra and work from here, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I know that many people consider Lisbon and Porto when it comes to expat friendly locations. Coimbra is a hidden gem because it isn’t as crowded and it is much cheaper to live in.

4. There Are Loads Of Museums In Coimbra

It has some interesting museums and buildings in Coimbra

Are you a fan of museums? Coimbra has a number of museums that you can explore. Each one is dedicated to a different part of Coimbra’s past and culture. I think that is one of the reasons why I would head back here. Our trip was so short that I really did not get to learn about Coimbra’s history.

In my defense I was trying to choose between Coimbra and Braga. I went with more days in Braga because it appealed to me and it was totally worth visiting. Coimbra was a stop by to evaluate whether it would fit with a future itinerary.

5. Coimbra Is Rich In History

Did you know that Coimbra was once the capital of the country? It has been the focus of a lot of political activity of over the years. Many of the buildings in the city can be traced right back to the Roman era in Portugal. These buildings are pretty well preserved and visiting them is one of the iconic things to do in Coimbra.

6. You Can Visit The Oldest University Of Portugal

If you love architecture and history, you will find that the University of Coimbra will intrigue you.

It is also home to the oldest University in Portugal. University of Coimbra is also considered to be the most prestigious of the current universities in the country.

Now why would this particularly interest a tourist that is visiting the city? The University building is very very pretty. There are guided tours that are organized through it daily. It is one of the most popular things to do in the city but you have to make sure that you book your tickets in advance because it gets crowded.

The ticket office is also a distance away from the University campus so by the time you walk there, stand in line and get your tickets, you have wasted a good deal of time. Ask me! I know it because we missed out on the tour because of it.

7. It Has One The World’s Famous Libraries

The entrance to the University and the library.

While we are on the topic of the famous University of Coimbra, did you know that it houses one of the most famous libraries in the world. It is called the Joanina Library. Now you aren’t allowed to take photographs inside but it is totally worth seeing.

The 16th century library houses over 60,000 books and it has been so well maintained. The baroque structure is particularly impressive. The outside of the library does not even give you a prequel as to what to expect inside. That’s same something because the outside is beautiful!

There is a set number of people that are allowed in at a given time and there are time slots. You need to book the time slot before you enter so make sure that you do this in advance.

8. The Food Scene Is Amazing

Is Coimbra worth visiting? The cool restaurant and amazing food make it one of the best places to be!

Lisbon and Porto are known for their food. Not everyone knows about Coimbra. The central part of the city is filled with numerous bakeries, cafes and restaurants. There are even some historic restaurants that you can visit.

Our favorite was Café Santa Cruz which is one of the old cafes in the city. It has both an indoor and an outdoor seating. The indoor seating is huge and perfect for days when the weather isn’t great. The outdoor seating offers you great views. This is a place where you get to try all the local snacks.

Is Coimbra worth visiting because of the food? I would say yes. Not only is the food scene great and plentiful, it is also cheap. Win-win for anyone who wants a budget vacation.

9. Excellent Drinks That Are Cheap

Did you know that even the drinks aka the alcohol that is served up in restaurants and bars in Coimbra is cheap? I maybe just comparing it to the costs that we are used to in the Netherlands but I know that it won’t break the bank. You can easily get a beer for 2 euros in most places. Just choose the local brands.

This makes Coimbra a great place for anyone who wants to party or enjoy the nightlife. The fact that there are lots of bars and pubs makes it even more attractive! It is after all a student city. Just note that while everyone does party here, its a bit quieter compared to that of Porto and Lisbon.

10. You Can See The Whole Of Portugal In Miniature

⭐️ Rating: 4.1/5 (15 Reviews) Price: $17 per person Duration: 1 hour 📍Meeting Point: Portugal dos Pequenitos Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Most of us don’t get the opportunity to see the whole of Portugal. The country is huge and that is not even counting the numerous islands. Just because you are short of time doesn’t mean that you can’t catch a glimpse of the whole of the country.

“We really liked being able to enter the places and they were faithful reproductions of reality with many details. The children enjoyed it a lot, and so did we. It was very hot and there were fountains to drink and refill water.”
Pilar (read more reviews now!)

If you visit Coimbra put Portugal dos Pequenitos. This is a miniature park that allows you to catch a glimpse of miniature version of the monuments and buildings all over the country.

Book Your Entrance Ticket Now!

11. There Are Some Cool Day Trips To Head Out On

Coimbra lies between Lisbon and Porto and this makes it super easy to visit both the cities on day trips. There are also a number of different places that are super close to Coimbra that are worth checking out.

Some of my top recommendations include Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Berlengas island, Nazare, Fatima and the Douro valley. There are tons of other day trips from Coimbra that you can consider and many of them are pretty offbeat.

The best part is that you don’t have to drive for more than an hour for many of these. This is especially cool if you are planning a Europe road trip and would prefer to stay in a spot for a bit longer.

12. Accommodation Isn’t As Expensive As Lisbon

If you want to stay in Coimbra, you will find that the accommodation is considerably less expensive than Lisbon and Porto. This means that you can either stay on a much lower budget or you can choose to spend the same amount and stay in luxury.

So is Coimbra worth visiting? It definitely wins points when it comes to the numerous places to stay in and the amazing hotels in the city.

13. Coimbra Isn’t As Crowded

Coimbra has its crowds but when you compare the crowds to that of Lisbon, Coimbra seems so much more sedate. Now I know this may not be one of the pros for everybody but I like to head away from the chaos on a vacation so for me it was one of the big perks.

14. The Fados Of Coimbra Are Well Worth Hearing

Is Coimbra worth visiting? If you love music then it is!

We arrived in Coimbra when the graduation was going on in the University. One of the traditions of the city is that the students sing fados on the steps of the Old Cathedral after the graduation.

We just happened to pass by when they were doing this. They even let my kids pose with the graduation cloak which was sooo cool. Our toddlers were so excited to be included!

Is Coimbra worth visiting? Well if you love music then you will love the fados of Coimbra.

You don’t have to visit on graduation day (though it is a pretty cool tradition!), you can also book one of the fado performances.

These fados performances are very cool. They are conducted in a relaxed environment. You are served a glass of a regional wine and you can sip it while you enjoy the music. It is a highly recommended experience.

Book Your Fado Now!

Is Coimbra Worth Visiting – Cons

1. It Is Very Hilly

Is Coimbra worth visiting? It is very very beautiful

Is Coimbra worth visiting when it comes to the walkability of the city? The city has plenty of footpaths and getting about is pretty easy on foot except for one thing… It is very hilly. So there are plenty of places where you have to go uphill. That combined with the heat makes it tiring. I think we felt this a lot more because we were walking with toddlers and after a bit their legs gave out and we had to carry them.

2. Parking Isn’t Easy

Like most of the big cities in Europe, parking here is tough. I recommend finding a parking spot and paying for the day instead of getting about the city by car. It will save you time and you will get a chance to experience the vibe of Coimbra which is what the city is all about.

So is Coimbra worth visiting? The city has a lot to offer in terms of academia, history, food, music and more. Its a multicultural city and inclusivity is something that is very prominent. Most people who visit Coimbra fall in love with the city in the first few minutes. Sure it does have its quirks but in my opinion, its totally worth a visit or even a long stay.