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Coimbra University

Visitor's Guide

Coimbra University used to be a royal palace

C oimbra University is one of the oldest in Europe and one of only five in the world listed as a World Heritage Site . It was founded in 1290, and occupies its current building since 1544. It’s the former royal palace , but very little remains of the royal residence, as it was remodelled and extended over the centuries, and especially in the 1700s.

The magnificent Coimbra University library

Its library, which is recognized as one of the world’s finest , dates from that period, and was a gift of King João V, who, thanks to the gold from the colony of Brazil, was one of Europe’s richest monarchs. The gold-covered library is filled with 40,000 books, and is accessed through a room that was the Academic Prison from 1773 to 1834. In order to preserve the books from insects, the library has two small colonies of bats, which come out at night.

The chapel is one of the hightlights of a visit to the university

Gold leaf also covers much of Capela de São Miguel, the ornate chapel with a brightly-painted ceiling. It dates back to the 11th century, but its current layout is from the 1500s. Its magnificent pipe organ from 1733 is still used today.

The university's buildings mix different architectural styles

In addition to the chapel, the only vestige of the former royal palace is Sala dos Capelos (Graduates’ Hall) , which was the Throne Room and is decorated with 17th-century portraits of Portugal’s kings up to that time. It has been used as an examination room, but is now the stage of ceremonies and academic events.

It's possible to go up to the top of the clock tower

The university’s iconic clock tower is 34 meters (112 feet) tall and was added in the early 1700s. It was used for astronomical observations, which explains its lack of a roof, which is quite rare in similar towers around the world. Visitors are now allowed to head to the top for a view over Coimbra.

The Roman goddess Minerva welcomes visitors on the cobblestone pavement

This historic part of the university surrounds a courtyard accessed through the 17th-century “Porta Férrea” (“Iron Gate”), which was the gateway to the royal palace. Before you enter, notice the traditional Portuguese cobblestone pavement depicting Minerva , the Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, commerce, handicrafts, poetry, and the arts. The buildings outside date from the mid-20th century and are colleges and departments not open to the public. Nearby, by the New Cathedral , are two other historic buildings that are now the university's museums:

The university's impressive collection of natural history

Natural History Museum - Housed in a former Jesuit college behind the New Cathedral, this museum displays the university’s collection of natural history and scientific instruments. Many of those are considered by the European Physical Society to be among the rarest and most important in Europe, but the highlights are the fossils, minerals, and especially the skeletons and embalmed animals. There are peacocks, snakes, and a large whale which takes up almost an entire room. Many were brought from expeditions around the Portuguese Empire in Africa, Asia, and Brazil at the end of the 18th century.

The former science lab is now the Science Museum

Science Museum - One of Coimbra’s most beautiful buildings stands right across from the Natural History Museum. It’s the university’s former science lab (one of the world’s oldest) and has been turned into a science museum. Built in the 18th century and restored in 2006, it promotes science to visitors of all ages through modern and interactive displays exploring a variety of themes.

Outside the old buildings are sculptures and new buildings from the 20th century

Today, over 20,000 students of 80 different nationalities study at Coimbra University, and their traditions are part of the city’s cultural life. Their annual “Burning of the Ribbons” ceremony in May and other events related to the end of the academic year take place in different parts of the city. The highlight is a “serenade” of male graduates on the steps of the Old Cathedral , who sing fado music to the sound of guitars, as a farewell to student life.

Visiting Coimbra University

Anyone is free to enter all parts of the university that are open to visitors at any time, except the library. Only 60 people are allowed inside at a time, so when you purchase your ticket you’re given one of the scheduled times (which happen at 20-minute intervals). Be sure to buy your ticket early in the morning, to guarantee a spot at a convenient time. If you show up in the morning and are given a time in the afternoon for the library, you may visit attractions nearby in between. These include the Machado de Castro National Museum and the New Cathedral . However, you may also end up spending much more time than anticipated at the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, and by the time you visit those, it may be time to head to the library.

Insider tip : If you end your visit at lunch time (or if it’s time for a meal between the visits to the university’s different buildings), head to the Machado de Castro National Museum nearby, which has a cafeteria offering good-value lunches with a view.

Admission and Tickets to Coimbra University

The ticket to visit the university is bought from the ticket office located on the left side of the square, when facing the entrance gate to the main buildings. It includes admission to the university’s two museums (Science Museum and Natural History Museum), which face each other down the hill from the university, on the street to the right of the New Cathedral. That’s the regular ticket, which costs €12.50 , but there’s a second ticket which includes everything except the library, for €7.00. We don’t recommend this second ticket, as the library is the highlight of the university. Those who want to head up to the top of the clock tower for a view over the university and the city, pay an extra €2.00.

It’s open from 9am to 7pm between March and October (the Science Museum opens at 10am). From November to February it’s open from 9am to 1pm and then from 2pm to 5pm. The tower only opens between April and October, from 10:30am to 7pm. The ticket office opens at 8:45 (it closes from 12:45pm to 1:45pm from November to March).

Complete Coimbra Guide

What to see & do.

Top 10 Attractions

Suggested Itinerary

Parks and Gardens

Old Cathedral

New Cathedral

Santa Cruz Monastery

Santa Cruz Café

Machado de Castro Museum

Largo da Portagem

Praça do Comércio

Almedina Arch

Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery

Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery

Botanical Garden

Bissaya Barreto Museum

Portugal dos Pequenitos

Quinta das Lágrimas

São Francisco Convent

Where to Stay

Top 10 Hotels

How to Get There

Coimbra Transportation

Transportation from Lisbon

Transportation from Porto

Portugal Travel Guides

Lisbon Beaches

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Visiting The University Of Coimbra – All You Need To Know

If you’re planning on visiting Coimbra then you’ll also undoubtedly be looking at visiting its famous university grounds.

I actually recently visited the university for myself and boy was I blown away! This historic campus was everything I’d dreamed of and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the University of Coimbra…

Table of Contents

Is The University Of Coimbra Worth Visiting?

The University of Coimbra is the main attraction in the city of Coimbra which you’ll find in the central region of Portugal.

The university is absolutely worth visiting as it’s the oldest university in Portugal and the 7th oldest university in continuous operation in the world!

It was founded back in the year 1290 by the then King of Portugal, King Dinis, making it over 700 years old.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique architecture, history and traditions.

I mean, the students have even developed their own genre of fado music that you can hear in various spots around town.

Today tourists can explore the university grounds for themselves and take a peek inside some of its most famous rooms. 

This includes the impressive Joanina Library which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

I’d really recommend booking this guided tour of the university as it features super small group sizes and all of the guides are former students of the university so they really know their stuff.

What To Visit At The University Of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra is split up into various areas so it can be difficult to know exactly what to see and do.

Here are all of the most important spots on campus that you should add to your itinerary.

Palace of Schools

The Palace of Schools is essentially a large courtyard surrounded by some of the university’s most impressive buildings.

From here you’ll be able to see the Royal Palace, the Chapel of São Miguel, the Tower and the Joanina Library from the outside.

I found that the outside of the buildings were just as impressive as the insides – they look like something straight out of Harry Potter.

You’ll also find a huge statue of King Dinis in the courtyard – he’s the guy that founded the university over 700 years ago.

This guided university tour includes access to all of the buildings within the Palace of Schools. You’ll be guided around by a former student of the university.

Tower of the University

One of the main buildings that you’ll notice whilst in the university courtyard is the huge tower, known locally as ‘cabra’ which actually means ‘goat’ in English.

This tower was built in 1537 when the University of Coimbra was being moved back from Lisbon to Coimbra. 

The King at the time suggested that ‘there could be no order without a clock’ and so it was built upon his request.

The bells of the clocktower were used to mark the start/end of study time. Apparently, first year students weren’t allowed to be out on the streets after the final ring of the day.

As you can imagine, back when the tower was built, nobody had a watch or a smartphone so a clocktower like this was essential for students to know what time it was. 

How else would they get to class on time?

It is actually possible to climb to the top of the tower where you’ll be rewarded with an epic view of Coimbra from above. It’s the highest point in the city.

Chapel of São Miguel

Unfortunately when I visited the University of Coimbra recently, the Chapel of São Miguel was closed for a funeral so I didn’t get the chance to see it for myself.

It looks really stunning though so if it’s open, I’d recommend heading inside. 

The inside is filled with those classic Portuguese blue and white ‘azulejo’ tiles which run alongside intricate carvings and delicately painted ceilings.

The chapel was actually originally part of the Royal Palace but became part of the university in the late 16th century.

Joanina Library

No Coimbra University visit is complete without seeing the iconic Joanina Library.

The Joanina Library, also known as the Baroque Library, is often considered to be the most beautiful library in the world so it’s well worth a visit.

The library is home to around 60,000 books from the 16th to 18th century, many of which are still used by students today.

Unfortunately, you’re not able to take photos inside the library so you’ll just have to admire it instead.

Here’s what it looks like inside:

Look out for the giant portrait of King John V on the Noble Floor of the library. He was the guy that ordered this impressive library to be built so we can thank him for that.

The whole place is truly divine as it’s filled with intricate wooden carvings, golden paintings and thousands of well preserved old books. I was genuinely in awe of this library.

When I was there, I learned from my guide that the library is actually home to 2 colonies of bats who have lived there for over 250 years! They’re actually super important for pest control. 

At night, staff have to cover all the books and tables with towels to protect them from the bat’s poop.

Royal Palace

You can see the old Royal Palace from the courtyard but you’re also able to view the inside too.

The palace was built all the way back in the 10th century, way before the founding of the university. It was originally a fortress that was used by the governor of the city.

Then in 1131, it became the home of the first ever King of Portugal, Afonso I. 

A few centuries later, the university bought it from the royal family and began using it for things like exams. Can you imagine taking your exam in a royal palace!?

Inside the palace you’ll be able to see the armory, the old throne room and the king’s quarters which were later used as exam halls. 

The whole place is super fancy and definitely worthy of a visit.

Science Museum

The Science Museum was actually one of my favorite parts of the university. 

Firstly, the building looks super grand and fancy. When I first saw it, I just assumed it must be some sort of palace but nope, just the science museum.

They have a really interesting collection to look at including scientific instruments, astronomical charts, skulls and even the skeleton of a 20m long whale!

Botanical Garden

The university’s impressive botanical garden was originally opened back in 1772 for the students to study botany, natural history and medicine.

At the time, it was considered to be one of the best of its kind in the whole world. It features a wide range of rare and exotic plants that you’ve probably never heard of.

I loved just wandering around the garden as it felt super peaceful and tranquil. I genuinely could have sat there all day just listening to the birds and soaking up the atmosphere.

Look out for the huge greenhouses, several fountains and the terraces.

You can buy your ticket online on the university website or in person at the ticket office. The ticket office is located right by the Science Museum and is open from 9AM until 7.15PM.

There are various different tickets available depending on which parts of the university you want to see.

You can also book onto a guided tour of the university if you prefer.

The standard university ticket costs €13.50 . This ticket includes access to the Joanina Library, the Royal Palace, the Chapel of São Miguel, the Science Museum and the Botanical Garden.

Here’s an overview of all the ticket types available:

• Joanina Library, Royal Palace, Chapel of São Miguel, Science Museum, Botanical Garden
• Joanina Library, Royal Palace, Chapel of São Miguel, Science Museum, Botanical Garden, Cabinet of Curiosities, Academic Museum
• Royal Palace, Chapel of São Miguel, Science Museum, Botanical Garden, Cabinet of Curiosities, Academic Museum
• Science Museum, Botanical Garden, Cabinet of Curiosities, Academic Museum
• Joanina Library, Royal Palace, Chapel of São Miguel

The above prices are for an adult ticket (ages 19-64). Children under 7 go free. Young people aged between 7 and 18 get a discount. Seniors aged 65 or more also get a discount.

Guided Tours

You can also purchase a guided tour of the university and grounds if you want to learn more about it.

I’d personally recommend booking this University of Coimbra guided tour as it includes a queue jump so you don’t have to spend ages waiting in line.

The groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people which is great and all of the tour guides are former students of the University of Coimbra so they know a lot about it.

The guides are literal experts and know so much about the history. Everybody comments on how knowledgeable and enthusiastic they are. Take a look at the reviews below.

The same company also runs an extended tour which includes a tour of the university and of the city of Coimbra so it’s a great way to see all that the city has to offer.

Both tours are really highly rated and great value for money.

• Guided Tour of the University of Coimbra (with queue jump)
• Guided Tour of the University & City of Coimbra (extended tour)

Being over 700 years old, the university has a long and interesting history.

The university was actually originally founded in Lisbon in the year 1290 by the then King Dinis. At the time, it was founded under the name Studium Generale.

The university started off with just 4 faculties: Art, Law, Canon Law and Medicine but has since expanded to 8 faculties.

Just 18 years later in 1308, the university moved to Coimbra due to problems with the church and conflict between the students and the locals in Lisbon.

The university was then transferred to and from Lisbon and Coimbra several times over the years. 

Finally in 1597, it moved back to Coimbra for the last time when King John III decided to move the university into the Royal Palace.

In the 18th century, the university experienced a remarkable transformation. 

Marquis of Pombal, a powerful statesman, implemented sweeping reforms that modernized the university. 

He introduced new subjects of study, improved teaching methods and even created a botanical garden for scientific research. 

These changes propelled the University of Coimbra into the forefront of European education.

Interestingly, for most of its history, the University of Coimbra was the only university in Portugal. The universities in Porto and Lisbon weren’t opened until 1911.

How To Get To The University of Coimbra

The easiest way to get to Coimbra is by taking either a bus or a train from Porto or Lisbon. 

You can also easily get a bus/train from other cities in Portugal including Braga, Aveiro or Evora.

I personally got to Coimbra by taking a bus from Porto. 

I booked my bus ticket using the website Omio (my fave website for booking transport in Europe) and it cost just €4 which I thought was a bargain.

Once you get to Coimbra, you’ll arrive at either the bus or train station. Coimbra is extremely walkable so you can easily walk into the city from the stations – this is what I did.

The university itself is located on the top of a steep hill in the center of the city. You can walk up the hill if you want or you can take a taxi/tuk tuk if you’d prefer.

I personally walked up the hill and found it to be a bit tiring but doable. You will need to climb several stone staircases and walk up lots of steep, winding alleys.

The campus itself isn’t super huge so you’ll find it pretty easy to navigate once you get to the top of the hill.

I’d personally plan to see the Botanical Garden at the end as it’s the only part of the university that isn’t on the top of the hill.

My Experience

Visiting the university was actually one of the main reasons why I decided to visit Coimbra .

I was lucky enough to visit the University of Oxford a few years ago and fell in love with the old but elegant buildings and its iconic history. 

I just knew that I’d get the same feeling in Coimbra and I wasn’t wrong.

It was such a joy to see this university in real life and imagine how life must have been for the students of centuries ago.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the university grounds were actually pretty quiet and not overrun with tourists at all. It was a complete contrast to Lisbon and Porto.

It’s worth noting that I did visit in February which is the low season but I was still surprised at how quiet it was. I regularly had certain parts of the campus to myself!

And that’s it!

Thanks for reading this complete guide on visiting Coimbra University. 

I hope you have the absolute best time as the university really is one of the best things to do in Coimbra .

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Portugal: Complete Guide to Visiting the University of Coimbra

Last updated: 09/10/2022

Discover the traditional University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in the world that has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is the oldest Portuguese-speaking university and one of the oldest universities in the world! When it was founded, it was formed by 4 faculties: Theology, Canons (Canon Law), Laws (Civil Law) and Medicine. Currently, the university is made up of 8 faculties (Letters, Law, Medicine, Science and Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Sports Science and Physical Education), 18 museums , a Botanical Garden it is a university stadium , with around 25 thousand students. It offers degrees in Architecture, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences and Sports.

>> A LITTLE HISTORY…

Between 1131 and 1255, the city of Coimbra was the capital of Portugal (the second in the country, after Guimarães ) and the royal palace known as Royal Palace of Alcáçova it became the royal residence since the first Portuguese king, D. Afonso Henriques. In 1290, the University of Coimbra was founded by King D. Dinis.

At the time, the teaching was submitted to the church and the signature of Pope Nicholas IV was necessary for the officialization of its foundation. Initially, the university was located in Largo do Carmo, in Lisbon, but it was transferred to the Paço Real da Alcáçova, in 1308. However, in 1338, the university was again based in Lisbon, remaining until 1354, the year in which it returned back to Coimbra. Again, it was transferred to Lisbon in 1377 and remained so until 1537, when it was definitively transferred to Coimbra, by order of D. João III. In 1544, all the faculties were installed in the historic Paço Real da Alcáçova, currently known as Palace of Schools .

From 1772 onwards, during the reign of King José I, the university began to undergo an extensive remodeling of teaching. THE Pombaline Reform , led by Marquês de Pombal, led to the modernization of teaching, with a focus on science teaching. One of the most important measures was the expulsion of the Jesuit Order, administered by the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits fought any intention to renew scientific and pedagogical activity and ended up being expelled from the country. As a result of these changes, the astronomical observatory , Chemical Laboratory , the core of the Botanical Garden , the Natural History Gallery, the Experimental Physics Office and the University Press, inaugurating a new academic period. In 1836, the Faculty of Canons and Laws were merged into the Faculty of Law, contributing greatly to the construction of the new liberalist legal apparatus.

In 1911, the Faculty of Letters was created, which inherited the facilities of the extinct Faculty of Theology, while the Faculties of Mathematics and Philosophy (created in the Pombaline Reform) were converted into the Faculty of Science. Between 1942 and 1969, during the Portuguese dictatorship of the Estado Novo (1933-1974), a large part of the residential area of Alta de Coimbra was demolished to make room for the construction of the university building complex that, until then, was located in the old Paço de Coimbra. Real with some buildings scattered around the city. The current statutes of the university were published in 1989, fifteen years after the end of the Estado Novo.

>> 3 UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA HALLS

Initially limited to Alta de Coimbra (the highest noble neighborhood in the city), the current university has three distinct poles and other buildings .

• POLE 1: Located in Alta de Coimbra, around Paço das Escolas and surroundings, this is the area where most of the university's teaching units are located, including the College of Arts , O College of Jesus (now the Science Museum), the St. Jerome's College (various university departments), the Faculty of Science and Technology (Departments of Architecture, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry), the law School , a college of Letters , the main building of Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences .

• POLE 2: Located just under 3 km south of the center of Coimbra, this is where several engineering departments of the Faculty of Science and Technology , such as Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
• POLE 3: This area is located about 2.5 km northeast of Paço das Escolas and concentrates buildings dedicated to courses in the health area, such as the Faculty of Pharmacy , Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital , the building of Association for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Light and Image it's the Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health .
• There are still a few more buildings outside these poles: the economics faculty which is relatively close to Pole 3 and Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education which is on the other side of the River Mondego, next to the University Stadium of Coimbra. On this side, even further away is the Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory .

COIMBRA UNIVERSITY FACULTIES COLORS A curiosity is that each faculty that make up the university is represented by a color: Medicine – Yellow | Right – Red | Science and Technology – Light blue | Letters – Dark blue | Pharmacy – Purple | Economy – Red and White | Psychology and Educational Sciences – Orange | Sports Science and Physical Education – Brown and White

>> UNESCO HERITAGE

In 2013, the area of University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia , was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site  and includes 4 parishes in the Historic Center of the city (São Bartolomeu, Sé Nova, Sé Velha and Santa Cruz). Heritage areas include both buildings in the High University , and in Baixa, on the outskirts of the Sofia Street Schools . In fact, there are 4 architectural and historical centers considered by UNESCO that tell the whole story of the creation, development, restructuring and consolidation of the University of Coimbra:

• Colégios da Rua da Sofia, where the history of the University began
• Pátio das Escolas, the heart of the University of Coimbra, with Muslim remains, memories of the 1st Portuguese dynasty and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world
• Buildings of the Pombaline Reform, marks of the knowledge revolution in the 18th century
• Complex of Estado Novo, built according to the changes of Alta de Coimbra

Alta and the surroundings of Rua da Sofia are the two architectural centers that include buildings linked to the history of the University. Initially, 31 monuments were classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 21 buildings on Alta and 10 on Rua Sofia (see the official brochure here , the official candidacy video in this link and click on each one for more information):

• SCHOOL HALL
• CASA DOS MELOS
• COLLEGE OF LETTERS
• GENERAL LIBRARY
• UNIVERSITY ARCHIVE
• SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
• DEP OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
• DEP OF MATH
• COLÉGIO DE SÃO JERÓNIMO
• REAL COLÉGIO DAS ARTES
• CHEMICAL LABORATORY
• COLLEGE OF JESUS
• BOILER HOUSE
• COIMBRA ACADEMIC ASSOCIATION
• COLÉGIO DE SÃO BENTO
• BOTANICAL GARDEN
• TRINITY COLLEGE
• COLÉGIO DA PEDEIRA
• SANTA RITA SCHOOL
• UNIVERSITY PRESS
• YOU'RE OLD
• PALACE OF SUB-RIBAS
• COLÉGIO DE SANTO AGOSTINHO
• MONASTERY OF SANTA CRUZ
• FORMER COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
• COLÉGIO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO
• SCHOOL OF SÃO BOAVENTURA
• COLÉGIO DO CARMO
• COLÉGIO DA GRAÇA
• COLÉGIO DE SÃO PEDRO
• COLÉGIO DE SÃO TOMAS

In 2019, the inclusion in this list of the Machado de Castro National Museum . This museum, named after an important sculptor born in Coimbra, was opened in 1913 and has vestiges of a “condal” cloister (around the year 1100 to 1140) and a cryptoportico dating from the 1st century which constitutes the most important Roman construction preserved in Portugal. We visited the museum and were amazed at what we saw! The document with the inclusion information can be found at UNESCO official website with the name “Minor Boundary Modification”.

WHAT TO VISIT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

There are several spaces at the University of Coimbra open to the public. Below, you will find the official brochure of the university that presents some information about some attractions found in the place, with emphasis on the Joanina Library, one of the most impressive libraries in the world. All these locations will be explained in detail below.

To facilitate the location of the main attractions, the interactive map below contains the main highlights of the University of Coimbra. In black , are indicated the 3 university campuses , with Pole 1 being the main one, where most of the faculties are located, especially Paço das Escolas, the focus of the visit. In blue , are some highlights of the Palace of Schools , which has a Tourist Circuit which will be described in detail. In green , there are other attractions at Polo 1 that are outside Paço das Escolas, such as the Botanical Garden it's the Science Museum/Chemical Laboratory . In Grey , are the  buildings that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites , University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia. In red , it is indicated to Store / Ticket Office to buy tickets in person and, in orange , are the main Teaching Units from the university.

Below, you can watch the official video that shows a little bit of the spaces to be visited at the University of Coimbra. Then, see the main details of each of these places, as well as tips and information on how to visit them.

1. RAILWAY DOOR

THE Iron Gate it is the main entrance to the University of Coimbra. The door seen today was built in the 17th century, in 1634, by the architect António Tavares and was the first important work carried out at the university after the building was acquired. Conceived as a triumphal arch, it got its name due to the iron gate it has. It is decorated with images and symbols linked to the University of Coimbra. The entrance and exterior of the Porta Férrea have the figure of Sapiência. Two statues of kings are also present: D. Dinis, founder of the University, and D. João III, who transferred it definitively to Coimbra. There are also figures representing the four faculties of the time (Law, Medicine, Theology and Canons).

2. PATIO AND PATIO DAS SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITY TOWER

This open area surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the University Tower, is known as Courtyard and School Hall . It is an architectural ensemble linked to the image of Alta Coimbra. The site dates from the end of the 10th century, during the period of Muslim rule. The elevated area of the city of Coimbra was known as Alcáçova and was where the authorities lived. In 1131, the region became inhabited by D. Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king, becoming the first royal palace in the country.

It was in this space that the faculties of the University of Coimbra came together, in 1537, when the university settled permanently in Coimbra. On the left side, there is a Mannerist building known as Colégio de S. Pedro, whose main façade faces the interior courtyard where there is a baroque portal from 1713. From 1855 onwards, part of its premises served as the rectors' quarters. The colonnaded balcony in the central building, from the end of the 18th century, is known as Latin Way . There is a staircase with a beautiful triangular pediment and there is a medallion with the figure of D. José I in the center. Via Latina you can reach the Rectory, whose premises were modified during the Pombaline Reform of 1772.

On the opposite side of the Patio is a statue of D. João III , built in 1950 in honor of the university's benefactor king. The faculty that stands out in Paço is the Faculty of Law, whose rooms are included in the visit to the university.

UNIVERSITY TOWER

Built between 1728 and 1733, the university tower It is located on the opposite side of Porta Férrea and is almost 34 meters high. The university clock played an important role in the daily life of the university. In the tower there are four bells and the best known of them is known as “goat” and faces the river. The bells serve to call the academic community to solemn acts and also for reasons of death of professors. Although it is currently closed, it is possible to climb the tower for panoramic views of the city with a specific ticket to visit it.

3. ROYAL PALACE

The building currently known as the Royal Palace was built at the end of the 10th century, serving as an alcáçova (a type of Arab fortification) for the governor of the city, during the Muslim rule. From 1131, it became the first Portuguese royal residence when Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king, came to live in the city. In 1537, during the reign of King João III, the university was definitively transferred from Lisbon to Coimbra, being installed in this building in 1544. The main rooms of the Royal Palace are:

>> WEAPONS ROOM & YELLOW ROOM

The visit starts by going up the stairs and reaching the Weapons Room . It is so named because it was the location of the first line of defense to protect infantry, who were in the sovereign's line of succession.

Currently, the room is used by Archeiros (guards) in solemn academic ceremonies, such as honorary doctorates, investiture of the Rector and solemn opening of the academic year. Therefore, the room is also known as Archers Room . The university guards constitute the Academic Royal Guard, a body of guards that ensured the security of the rector, the rector's house, university buildings and the urban perimeter, integrated into the University's area of jurisdiction.

already the Yellow Room , attached to the Sala das Armas, has walls covered in yellow silk as a way of honoring the Faculty of Medicine, since the space was used by the “Congregation of the Faculty of Medicine” for the purpose of discussing various subjects. In this room are portraits of 19th and 20th century university presidents.

>> ROOM DOS GREAT ACTS OR ROOM DOS CAPELOS

THE Great Acts Room it is the most important room at the University of Coimbra. When the building was still a Royal Palace, it was used as the Throne Room and residence of the kings of the first Portuguese dynasty between 1143 and 1383. This room hosted important historical events, such as the acclamation of King João I in 1385. the definitive installation of the university in Coimbra, this room became the main room of the University of Coimbra, with the holding of the most important ceremonies of academic life, among them: solemn opening of the academic year, defense of the doctoral thesis, Honoris Causa doctorate, inauguration of the dean (every 4 years).

WHY “SALA DOS CAPELOS”?

The room that can be seen today comes from a renovation carried out in the mid-17th century. The walls were covered with carpet-like tiles, made in Lisbon, and the wooden ceiling was renovated with 172 panels with drawings depicting sea monsters, Indians, mermaids, plants. On the walls are also portraits of all Portuguese kings, from the first, D. Afonso Henriques, to D. Manuel II, with the exception of the kings of the Philippine dynasty (in the period between 1580 and 1640, Portugal was under Spanish rule).

Around the room are doctoral benches, where Doctors are seated during academic ceremonies. In the center of the room is the rector's chair, where the rector presides over solemn acts. Guests and the rest of the public can watch the ceremonies on the lowest level of the room, the side benches all around the room. Visitors on the university tour can admire the room from above, passing through several windows, including the Bishop's Balcony , an area occupied by the Bishop of Coimbra and Chaplain of the University of Coimbra during solemn ceremonies held in the Sala dos Grandes Atos.

>> PRIVATE EXAM ROOM

At the time when the building was used as a Royal Palace, this room functioned as the king's quarters. Later, it was transformed into a place where students took exams to become doctors. The exam was private, with the presence only of the student and the teachers, so it became known as the Private Exam Room. This examination existed until the second half of the 18th century, when it was extinguished with the changes implemented by the Marquis of Pombal, in what became known as the Pombaline Reform. With the expulsion of the Jesuit Order from the country, the monopoly on teaching in Portugal was broken, enabling the introduction of faculties of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Astronomy.

Built in 1701, on the ceiling of the room is the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal and the representation of the great faculties of the university: Theology (Cross and Sun), Laws (Scale and Sword), Medicine (Stork and Caduceus of Hermes) and Canons (Papal Tiara). On the walls of the room are portraits of 38 rectors from the 16th to the 18th century.

>> BALCONY WITH A VIEW TO COIMBRA

Before going down the stairs, it is possible to access an outdoor area where there is a long, narrow balcony that provides incredible views of Coimbra from above. It is possible to identify several important points including the Mondego River, Sé Velha, Sé Nova, Machado de Castro National Museum, among other interesting attractions. We were there during a wonderfully sunny day and had the privilege of seeing Coimbra in all its splendor.

At the end of the tour, it is possible to walk through some corridors of the Faculty of Law and observe the movement of students. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs, books, articles bearing the university's name; and also a Cafe.

4. CHAPEL OF S. MIGUEL

The origins of the chapel date back to the 11th century, after the city was conquered by the Moors, in 1064. Built between the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century, the Capela de S. Miguel was built in Manueline style on the site of a small private oratory of the Pace. The chapel was renovated during the 17th and 18th centuries. A curiosity is that the pulpit was used by Father Antonio Vieira to deliver the sermon dedicated to Santa Catarina in 1663.

On the left side is the altar dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Luz, patron saint of Students. The chancel is covered with tiles made in Lisbon and dates from 1613. The ceiling was painted at the end of the 17th century. Also noteworthy is the beautiful Baroque organ, from 1737, with around two thousand pipes, decorated with Chinese motifs.

5. ACADEMIC PRISON

Since 1309, the University of Coimbra had legal autonomy to facilitate the organization, supervision and functioning of the Institution, by its directors, as well as to maintain discipline and order. The university had the power to arrest and prosecute students, staff and their families who committed offenses within its jurisdiction. For students, the main punishable crimes were stealing books from the library, skipping classes, falling asleep during classes, or being caught cheating on an exam). In the case of teachers or employees, the most common crimes were of a political, ideological or religious nature that went against the values of the Institution. Whoever was convicted could be imprisoned from a few hours to 6 months, depending on the severity of the offense and the background of the “criminal”.

Existing probably since 1543, the Academic Prison it was initially installed below the Throne Room of the Royal Palace (currently Sala dos Capelos). After the Pombaline Reform, in 1773, the jail was transferred to an area under the Joanina Library, with an entrance made to the side of the Minerva stairs , built in 1775.

During the construction works, traces of a medieval prison were found. The prison had cells, a visiting room and two solitary cells, which were called “Secrets”. There is also a spiral staircase that would give access to the old house of the Academic Royal Guard, in the Intermediate Floor . Operating on the site until 1834, the prison is the only medieval prison still in existence in Portugal.

6. JOANINE LIBRARY

The Joanina Library is one of the most incredible places at the University of Coimbra, visited exclusively through guided group tours that start at the Academic Prison, go to simpler rooms, in the Intermediate Floor , until you reach the three incredibly beautiful rooms of the noble floor . The Joanina Library presents a collection of collections from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries that represent the best that was produced in Europe at the time. There are about 60,000 books and writings, many written in Latin. Highlights include: the 48-line Latin Bible (1462); The Lusíadas, by Camões (1572); and Abravanel's Bible (2nd half of the 15th century).

>> INTERMEDIATE FLOOR

In the past, the Intermediate Floor it was a space used as a repository for books that had no space on the shelves on the Noble Floor. It was also called Room 4, being a complement to the three rooms that exist on the Noble Floor, above. While the Academic Prison was in operation, the place was also used by the Academic Royal Guard, which had the mission of guarding the detainees. Currently, this place continues to be used as a depository for books, as well as a space for temporary exhibitions.

PROHIBITED BOOKS!

>> NOBLE FLOOR

With a Baroque style decoration, the Joanina Library was built between 1717 and 1728 and sponsored by D. João V, who gave it its name. Initially, the Library was known as “Casa da Livraria”. At three noble halls of the library (taking pictures and filming is strictly prohibited) are incredibly beautiful, with 72 bookcases arranged on 2 floors made of oak wood, decorated with gold leaf and Chinese motif designs.

In the arches that separate the rooms, shields with the symbols of the old faculties predominate and access to the upper floor is made by stairs built into the arches. The floor is paved with limestone and there is a red carpet connecting one room to the other. The temperature inside is kept between 18ºC and 20ºC and relative humidity around 60%, always considering the preservation of the books.

CEILING OF THE THREE NOBLE ROOMS OF THE LIBRARY

The ceiling of each one has incredible colorful paintings made by Antônio Simões Ribeiro and Vicente Nunes. They were made with an illusionist perspective to create optical illusions.

• the roof of first room reveals the figure of the Library and there are four female figures representing the four major continents (Africa, Asia, Europe and America). In this room are the History and Literature books.
• the roof of central room has a figure of the University surrounded by the attributes Honor, Virtue, Fortune and Fame. There are also peripheral medallions representing the authors Virgil, Ovid, Seneca and Cicero. The room houses the Law and Science books.

• on the roof of third room , the University appears as a synthesis of universal knowledge, the Encyclopedia. The main areas of knowledge are also present: Theology and Canons; Law or Laws; Natural Sciences, alluding to Medicine; and Arts. In this room are the books of Canon Law and Theology. On the living room wall is a large painting by D. João V, dated 1725.

After the visit, visitors leave through a door built around 1720 decorated with Ionic columns that, in the center, displays a Royal Shield that displays the Latin phrase “This is the headquarters that Coimbra Augusta gave to books, so that the library crowns his forehead.”

THE BATS OF THE JOANINA LIBRARY Interestingly, there is a colony of bats inhabiting the Joanina Library that helps to preserve the books! They protect the books from insects, especially moths, by feeding on them. At the end of each day, when the library is closed, the shelves are covered with leather towels to prevent bat droppings from being deposited.

7. SCIENCE MUSEUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

Opened in 2006, the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra (MCUC) is located in the Chemical Laboratory , in a building renovated at the request of the Marquis of Pombal in the context of the Pombaline Reform, in 1772 (before that, there was a Jesuit refectory). The site housed the first chemical research laboratory in the country. Here is the oldest Portuguese museum of natural history and scientific instruments, including collections from the former National Museum of Science and Technique (MNCT).

The museum's permanent exhibition houses the " Secrets of Light and Matter “, an exhibition that explores the theme of light and matter based on scientific objects and instruments from the university’s collections.

There is also the exhibition Coimbra Visa – The Jesuits between Portugal and the World “, an exhibition focusing on the Society of Jesus. In addition to the Laboratório Chimico, another building with exhibitions is the former College of Jesus , where the Physics Office and the Natural History Gallery were installed during the Pombaline Reform.

CURIOSITIES OFFICE

Opened on May 18, 2022, International Museum Day, the “Curiosities Cabinet – An Interpretation” is located at Colégio de Jesus, in Sala Carlos Ribeiro. The room brings together around 4,000 items from the Science Museum collection with the aim of recreating a cabinet of 18th century curiosities created by European nobility and which brought together rare, exotic and even bizarre pieces.

They are pieces collected over the last 700 years, from all over the world. Among the items are: a suspended cow skeleton, a crocodile on the ceiling, a sloth originally from Brazil, among many others. Watch the official promotional video below.

8. BOTANICAL GARDEN

With almost 250 years of existence, the Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra is home to an incredible combination of around 1,500 plant species and beautiful architecture. Located next to the San Sebastian Aqueduct , most of the garden's 13-hectare area was donated by Benedictine friars. The Garden is organized into two different parts: the Classic Garden and the Mata (Arboretum).

>> CLASSIC GARDEN

It is the highest part of the garden, which is characterized by the neoclassical style, with terraces, alleys, stonework walls and wrought iron gates, lakes and a fountain, where the Central Square, the Recanto Tropical, the Superior Terrace, the Systematics Schools, with emphasis on the Medical School, Alameda das Tílias and Estufa Tropical.

The greenhouse, known as Large Greenhouse (built in 1865, it has 3 rooms with different environments), is a metal and glass structure built in the second half of the 19th century and is considered one of the oldest iron buildings in Portugal. It houses a wide variety of plant species, including orchids, carnivorous plants, tropical trees separated into three areas (tropical, subtropical and temperate climates).

>> KILLS (ARBORET)

The arboretum occupies about 2/3 of the Botanical Garden and has a great diversity of trees and shrubs from different geographic areas. It also houses interesting buildings, such as the Capela de São Bento and the Capela de Santo Ilídio, the Fonte dos 3 Bicos, the Casa da Eira and the Casa do Jardineiro, as well as vestiges of the walled city and the first water tank in the city. . Other highlights are the beautiful Bambuzal (over 1 hectare), the Estufa-Fria (dedicated to plants in humid and shady environments), the collection of around 50 species of eucalyptus and even an orchard.

TYPES OF TICKETS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

Currently, there are 8 types of combined tickets to visit the University of Coimbra. It is possible to buy tickets online from one month before the date of the visit (I recommend it). Check out some recommendations:

• The ticket can be purchased online up to two hours before the time of the visit.
• The ticket can be purchased at the ticket office up to 15 minutes before the visit time (subject to availability).
• No exchanges or refunds of the purchased ticket are made.
• Mandatory presentation of the ticket at the entrance of each space.

1 CHEMICAL LABORATORY + CURIOSITIES CABINET

• What includes: The ticket includes a visit to the Laboratório Chimico and the Cabinet of Curiosities and is valid for two days. Only one entry is allowed at each location. Visiting time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Prices: 8€ | purchase here

2 UNIVERSITY PAÇO SEM JOANINA + SCIENTIFIC CIRCUIT

• What includes:  The ticket includes the Capela de S. Miguel, the Royal Palace, the Chemical Laboratory, the Cabinet of Curiosities and the Botanical Garden (does not include the Greenhouses). Visiting time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Prices: 10€ | purchase here

3 UNIVERSITY PAÇO + SCIENTIFIC CIRCUIT

• What includes:  The ticket includes Paço das Escolas (Joanina Library, São Miguel Chapel, Academic Prison and Royal Palace), the Chemical Laboratory, the Curiosities Office and the Botanical Garden (not including the Greenhouses). The ticket is valid for two days and only one entry is allowed at each location. THE Entry to the Joanina Library (made by the Academic Prison) has an appointment and are limited to 60 people every 20 minutes. The visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
• Prices: 17.50€ | purchase here

4 UC + PORO.S

• What includes:  The ticket includes the Paço das Escolas (Joanina Library, São Miguel Chapel, Academic Prison and Royal Palace) and the PORO.S Municipal Museum (Portuguese Roman Museum in Sicó), located 15 km south of Coimbra. Visiting time is around 3 hours and only one entry is allowed at each location. The time and date, marked on the ticket, correspond to the date and time of entry into the Joanina Library, and the remaining spaces can be visited before or after this time.
• Prices:  16.50€ | purchase here

5 UNIVERSITY WITH JOANINA LIBRARY

• What includes: The ticket includes the University of Coimbra with this complete program that includes the Paço das Escolas (Joanina Library, São Miguel Chapel and the Royal Palace) and the Chimico Laboratory (belonging to the Science Museum). The ticket is valid for 2 days and the visit time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes and only one entry is allowed at each location. The time and date, marked on the ticket, correspond to the date and time of entry into the Joanina Library , and the remaining spaces can be visited before or after this time.
• Prices:  €12.50 | purchase here

6 GUIDED VISIT TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

• What includes: The ticket includes a guided tour (English and Portuguese) through different spaces of the Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra, through its history, architecture and plant species. This visit does not include the Tropical Greenhouse. Visiting time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Minimum of 4 visitors.

7 GUIDED VISIT TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN GREENHOUSE

• What includes: The ticket includes a guided tour (English and Portuguese) to the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra, getting to know some of the most interesting species. Visiting time is approximately 1 hour. Minimum of 3 visitors.

8 GUIDED VISIT TO THE SCHOOLS' ROOM

• What includes: The ticket includes a guided visit to the Paço das Escolas (Joanina Library, São Miguel Chapel and Royal Palace) of the University of Coimbra. Visiting time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tours in Portuguese at 11 am and in English at 3 pm.
• Prices: 20€ | purchase here

PRIVATE TOURS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

For those looking for a more intimate experience, the tip is to hire a private tour to learn more about the University. See 10 suggestions below:

• University of Coimbra Walking Tour
• Private Tour of Heritage and University of Coimbra
• University of Coimbra skip-the-line guided tours
• Guided tour of the University and city of Coimbra
• Joanina Library and University of Coimbra Tour (VIP access!)
• Skip-the-line visit to the University of Coimbra
• University of Coimbra – Guided tour
• Guided Visit to the University of Coimbra with Ticket Included
• University of Coimbra – more complete and private visit, ticket included

OUR EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

When we visited the University of Coimbra, at the beginning of May 2022, there was not the diversity of ticket types that currently exist. The Curiosities Office wouldn't open until 2 weeks after our visit and basically the tickets offered were for visiting the university with or without the Joanina Library. Tickets can be purchased online from 1 month in advance and, of course, we bought the ticket with a visit to the Joanina Library (the #5 in the above listing). As there is an appointment to visit the Joanina Library, I I do not recommend leaving to buy the ticket at the time , at the in-person box office, as you may not be able to find more times on the day you want. Buy online to avoid regrets.

1. BEAUTIFUL ROOMS IN THE PAÇO DAS SCHOOLS

At the time we visited, the facade of the Faculty of Law and the Porta Férrea were undergoing renovation. Large cloths were placed simulating what the attractions would be like. We were a little disappointed to have to make do with that siding, but there was no way around it. The University Tower was also closed to visitors.

After walking around the courtyard and admiring the Statue of D. João III, we headed towards the Faculty of Law, to begin the tour of the rooms of the former Royal Palace. The Sala dos Capelos is really stunning and the balcony with breathtaking views of the city also impressed us.

We passed by the gift shop to buy some treats and went out through the hallway to the entrance to the Capela de São Miguel, which was very full. Therefore, as we had an appointment for the guided tour of the Joanina Library, we decided to return to the chapel later.

2. THE MAGNIFICENT JOANINE LIBRARY

We went through the courtyard and down the Minerva stairs to reach the place where a group is already waiting in front of a sign that marked the time of the next tour. We waited a few minutes until the guide appeared, validated our tickets and let us in to get to know the Academic Prison . After touring the rooms, we came back and sat on a bench in the waiting room.

After some information from the guide, we went up the stairs that lead to the Intermediate Floor (Room 4) , where some collections are located. The room itself is nothing special, after all, the really beautiful area was yet to come.

After reinforcing that it was forbidden to take pictures for the rest of the visit, we went to the three noble rooms of the Joanina Library . And, upon entering, it is impossible not to be enchanted by the beauty of the place that transports us to a library of a period film, all exquisite, finely decorated with gold and colorful paintings. The oak bookcases impress with their size and richness of detail. It seems that everything has been thought out to the smallest detail. Simply stunning! The exit is made through the Manuelino Portal, which leads back to the courtyard of Paço das Escolas.

3. SÃO MIGUEL CHAPEL

We then returned to visit the Capela de São Miguel. There was no longer a crowd in front, but the door was closed. We knocked on the door and an employee opened and validated our ticket. The Chapel is not very big, but it is impressive. The coat of arms on the ceiling accompanied by beautiful paintings, the large organ and the beautiful altar caught our attention.

4. CHEMICAL LABORATORY

We pass through Porta Férrea and continue along R. Larga until we reach Praça Dom Dinis, which houses a beautiful statue of the king of the same name. We turn left on Rua dos Estudos until we reach the Laboratório Chimico to see the exhibits inside. After the visit, we had lunch before heading to the Botanical Garden.

5. BOTANICAL GARDEN

Even before arriving at the Botanical Garden, it is possible to see the beautiful Aqueduct of São Sebastião, from the end of the 16th century, which is also known as Arcos do Jardim. It dates back to a primitive Roman aqueduct, which supplied the upper part of the city.

We took a nice walk through the Botanical Garden after lunch, taking advantage of the shade, since the day was sunny and it was quite hot. I don't know if it was just an impression, but we found the Botanical Garden a little neglected. It has beautiful staircases, fountains, but it looked like it lacked a bit of maintenance.

We left the Botanical Garden towards the Machado de Castro National Museum , the one we mentioned at the beginning of the post that was included in the UNESCO list in 2019.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Coimbra university (official visitation site).

• Address:  3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
• Palace, Chapel* and Library: daily from 9 am to 7:30 pm (S. Miguel Chapel is closed on Sundays from 11:45 am to 2 pm for mass)
• Tower: daily: currently closed
• Chimico Laboratory: from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm
• Curiosities Office: daily from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm
• Physics Cabinet and Natural History Gallery: currently closed
• Botanical Garden: 9 am to 5:30 pm (October to March) and 9 am to 8 pm (April to September)
• Paço das Escolas store: daily from 9 am to 7:15 pm
• Colégio de Jesus store: daily from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5:45 pm
• Entrance:  from 8€

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Read more about Portugal:

• Portugal: What to do in Porto – 2 or 3 days itinerary
• Portugal: How to get from Porto Airport to the center
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Guide To the Stunning Coimbra University in Portugal

Here’s my complete guide to visiting the UNESCO-listed Coimbra University in Coimbra Portugal, with must know tips for visiting.

Coimbra is the perfect midway stop between Lisbon and Porto and well worth a visit.

The fortress-like university on the hilltop is one of Portugal’s most impressive UNESCO sites. You’ll be awed by the splendid architecture and perhaps a tad jealous of the students in their black Harry Potter cape uniforms.

History of Coimbra University

Perched on the town’s hilltop, Coimbra University is an ancient site. It’s one of the oldest universities in the world, older than Oxford University .

Coimbra itself is known as the “Athens of Portugal” for its knowledge and culture. Its university was founded by royal charter in 1290 in Lisbon.

King João II transferred the university to Coimbra in 1537. He was a dedicated king, and even got into hot water for overspending on the university instead of foreign conquests.

But he attracted great masters from all over Europe, making Coimbra University a prestigious school.

How To Get to Coimbra University

Coimbra University sits on top of the Alcaçova hill. the classic approach is up a back breaking flight of stairs starting at the Arco de Almedina, the town’s old Moorish gateway.

If steep hills aren’t your thing, no problem. You can hop on a bus to the university.

Take the one marked “Botanica,” directly across from the tourist office on Avenida Emidio Navarro.

It only costs 1.60 euros. We took the bus up and then walked back down. But if you like climbing, it’s a steep 30 minute walk down narrow winding streets past beautiful sites.

Tickets & Tours

Once there, you queue up to purchase your ticket at the ticket office near the clock tower. Get Program 1, which includes all sites.

No other ticket includes the Joanina Library, and you can’t miss that. It’s the highlight. 60 people are admitted every 20 minutes to the library, so pay attention to your admission time.

You can’t purchase tickets online for Coimbra University. But you can book a guided tour that will include skip the line tickets. Which wouldn’t be a bad way to go for this historic site.

This 1. 5 hour small group guided tour covers all the top attractions at the university. This 3 hour guided tour gives you a tour of the city and the university.

If you don’t book a tour, that’s fine. There are placards, at least in the palace rooms, giving you information on what you’re seeing. You’re also given a couple brochures with descriptions of the many wonders.

What To See At Coimbra University

Here are the top attractions and things you can’t miss at Coimbra University.

1. Porta Ferrea

You first pass through the ornate Porta Férrea into a large courtyard called the Pátio das Escolas .

The grand architecture of the place is immediately apparent. The colossal scale was intended to symbolize the power of the caliphate of Cordoba .

A muscular statue of João V statue lords over the entire place.

Porta Férrea was built in the 17th century and is decorated with symbols of the university. It’s topped with two female figures of wisdom and images of King Dinin and King João III.

2. Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is a real treat. It’s Portugal’s oldest palace and was inhabited until the 15th century. It became part of the university in 1537.

The first room you enter is the Hall of Arms, or the Sala dos Archeiros. This room houses the weapons of the Royal Academic Guard. 

Today, the weapons are used only by Halberdiers during formal ceremonies, such as the beginning of classes or the investiture of a new rector.

3. Great Hall of Acts

The palace’s showstopper is the Sala dos Capelos, or the Great Hall of Acts, whose current design dates from 1655. The word “capleo” refers to the black capes the students wear.

This grand room was originally meant to be the throne room, and it still feels palatial. The wooden ceiling is fantastical and dates from the 17th century.

The upper walls are decorated with fabric representing the monarchs of Portugal.

Notably missing are the Hapsburg monarchs from 1580-1640. That omission is the result of a political rift where the university threw its support behind João IV, then a Duke of Braganza, not the Hapsburg kings.

This room held the most important academic ceremonies, and still does today. In particular, it’s where doctoral theses are defended.

It seems difficult enough to defend a PhD thesis without intimidating monarchs watching you. Perhaps the black capes serve as a bulkwark against intimidation.

This is a room full of history and power. It felt very solemn and significant to me.

4. Private Exam Room

You then move on to the Salo do Exame Privado, or Private Exam Room.

This was another stunning room. It’s where students took oral exams, in secret, and always at dusk.

It also has a fantastical painted ceiling dating from 1701. How I love those; they’re so unique.

The room is lined with 38 rather stiff portraits depicting the rectors from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The lower walls are lined with blue and white Coimbra tiles.

5. Palace Tower

Don’t forget to climb the palace’s Tower, erected between 1728-33. It has two bells.

One is nicknamed the “Caber,” or bitch, because it wakes students up and calls them to classes (that’s pretty much how I feel about my iPhone alarm). The other is called O Cabrão, or old goat, and is used for ceremonies.

The 184 step climb is not for the claustrophobic, with an exceedingly narrow stone staircase. The tower has a separate 1 euro fee.

But you have unrestricted panoramic views of Coimbra and the Mondego River. If you don’t want to climb, you have similar views from the palace balconies.

We couldn’t go inside any lecture halls because classes were still in session on May 3. There are over 20,000 students at Coimbra University, from 80 countries.

6. Saint Michael’s Chapel

Our next stop was St. Michael’s Chapel.

You enter through an intricate Manueline doorway, bordered by two pillars and intertwined with sea symbols. At the center is the Portuguese royal crest.

I had never seen Manueline style architecture before Portugal, and I confess that I love the curving romantic style.

The chapel is small but richly decorated. It was built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It’s dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

It was originally conceived as a palace chapel in the reign of King Manuel I. The walls are spectacular, clad in “azulejos de tappet,” carpet tiles forming a repeating pattern.

The 1605 main altar is a gaudy Mannerist affair, dating from the 17th century and dedicated to Our Lady of Light.

And there is an equally gaudy gold organ with 2000 pipes and trumpet blowing angels, built in 1733 by Manuel Gomes.

Some of the pipes jut straight out right into the room. They aren’t just parallel.

I thought the gaudiness actually detracted somewhat from the incredibly unique hand painted ceilings and the tile covered walls.

7. The Magnificent Joanina Library

And now for the main event. The chapel is just a warm up for the extravagance of the university’s over-the-top library.

Think Baroque delirium. The Joanini is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.

You enter the library on the left side of the main entrance via the Minerva Stairs where you’re greeted by a statue of Minerva, holding a book and sceptre.

You must enter during your designated time slot, no exceptions. So queue up a little early to make sure you have some uninterrupted views.

There are three floors, the most famous being the Noble Floor, or the third floor.

The first floor of the library features the “Academic Prison” or student jail. It dates from when the university ran its own police force, wholly apart from the legal code of the country.

If a student broke a rule or damaged a borrowed book, he was sent to the prison. However, that didn’t mean he skipped lessons. The prisoner went to lectures in the morning and then returned to his cell.

It’s the only remaining medieval prison in Portugal. But imprisonment ended in the 19th century, and it then served as a book deposit.

The second floor is a basic library. Originally, access to students was denied. It was only for the use of professors and librarian. If you look closely, you’ll see an ancient copy of Don Quixote .

The magnificent Nobel Floor is jaw dropping. The tour guide opens the grand double doors and you are ushered in, as if entering a sacred temple. I gasped, and my first impression was that there was gold everywhere.

The famous library was built from 1717-28 during the reign of Joao V. It was designed by Gaspar Ferreira in Baroque style and is known as the Baroque Library.

It has a large central hall with a nave like structure divided into three main rooms. Slender columns hold up beautiful gilded bookshelves. It looks and feels more like a museum than a library.

There are arches between each grand room, topped with shields showing different university schools. The walls are two inches thick to protect the books.

Each room has a beautiful tromp l’oeil ceiling with an intricate allegory. Tromp l’oeil is a technique that makes a flat ceiling look domed. They are the work of Portuguese artists Antonio Ribeiro and Vicente Nunes.

The ceiling of the first room depicts the library itself and bears the legend “Bibliotecae Imago.”

In the central ceiling (shown above), the university is depicted, surrounded by the attributes of honor, virtue, fortune, and reputation. The ceiling in the third room represents the synthesis of universal knowledge.

In the third room, there’s also a large portrait of King Joao V, founder of the library, by an unknown artist. I was honestly too besotted with the ceilings and surroundings to give it more than a second glance.

In each room, there are long tables, made of and inlaid with tropical wood. They were designed and built by Italian woodcarver Francesco Gualdini, who also constructed the sumptuous bookshelves.

The library has a collection of 200,000 ancient books and a collection of illuminated manuscripts.

Livraria Lello bookstore in Porto grabs a lot of publicity as the inspiration for Harry Potter. But you certainly get a Hogwarts’ vibe here. You can easily imagine teenage magicians nosing around trying to find old spell books.

The books are maintained mostly by bats. Yes, bats!

The library is infested with a colony of small pipistrelle bats and that’s what it intends. They are welcome guests.

Their task?

They emerge at nightfall and consume flies, gnats, and other bugs that might threaten the priceless books or manuscript pages. A tiny bat can eat up to 500 paper eating insects a night.

They may have taken up residence approximately 300 years ago when the library was built. The librarians at least trace them to the 19th century.

The library still uses special fabric to cover the inlaid wooden tables to protect them from the bats. You won’t see them while visiting. They reportedly only come out at nightfall or on rainy days.

8 . Black Capes

And those black Harry Potter type capes?

My daughter stopped a couple Coimbra students to ask about them. Students can wear them whenever they want, not just for special occasions.

Some have frays or tears on the hem. The left side of the cape has tears made by family members. The right side has tears made by friends or lovers.

If the relationship ends, the tear is stitched up with bright thread. “Tears” is an important word. The capes are wool and extremely sturdy, and the tears have to be made with hands or teeth, no scissors or knives.

We just missed the student festival known as the Queima das Fitas, or the Burning of the Ribbons. It’s a week long celebration marking the end of university life for graduating students. It’s is one of the biggest student parties in Europe.

The week kicks off with a Fado serenade by the old cathedral. The students then participate in a ritualistic burning of the ribbons. There are 8 different colored ribbons representing the different academic programs.

9. Botanical Gardens

When you’ve had enough of books, black capes, and magic, take a stroll in the Botanical Gardens.

They were created in 1772 by the Marquess of Pombal. The purpose of the garden is to supplement the studies of medicine and natural sciences at the university.

Practical Information for Coimbra University:

Address : Kargei da OIrtga Ferrea 3000-447 Coimbra

Hours : November 1 to March 18: Weekdays – 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Weekends – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, March 19 to October 31: Daily 8:30 am to 7:00 pm

Entry fee : Ticket office is in Edifício da Biblioteca Geral, Largo da Porta Férrea, € 12.50, entrance is free to the Botanical Gardens

Pro tip : If you plan to visit Convent of Christ, Alcobaça Monastery , and Batalha Monastery on your own, you can buy a combined ticket for €15 at any of the sites.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Coimbra University. You may enjoy these other Portugal travel guides and resources:

• 10 day itinerary for Portugal
• Historic landmarks in Portugal
• 4 day itinerary for Lisbon
• 2 days in Porto itinerary
• 1 day in Coimbra itinerary
• 1 day in Guimaraes itinerary
• Guide to Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood
• Guide to Lisbon’s Belem neighborhood
• Guide to Pena Palace
• Day trips from Lisbon
• Tips for Visiting Sintra

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Last Updated on July 24, 2022 by Leslie Livingston

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One day in coimbra: how to plan a quick trip to portugal's university city.

Coimbra is a historic university city in Central  Portugal located between Lisbon and Porto . 

You can easily spend one day in Coimbra to get a sense of the place when driving between Lisbon and Porto. 

To really appreciate Coimbra, I recommend spending a full 24 hours here by booking a hotel. 

Read on for my recommendations of things to do in Coimbra on a quick visit.

Getting to Coimbra

Where to Stay in Coimbra?

Coimbra One Day Itinerary at a Glance

Dinner at arcadas in hotel quinta das lágrimas .

• Al Fresco Breakfast at Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas 
• Retrace the Story of Pedro and Inês in the Gardens of Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas

Walk Uphill to Coimbra University

Tour historic coimbra university, explore coimbra botanic gardens, take a coimbra photowalk, eat lunch at no tacho, visit igreja de santa cruz.

• Shop Rua Visconde da Luz

Cross Ponte de Santa Clara to Come Full Circle

Things to do in Coimbra in Detail

We drove to Coimbra from Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto where we experienced all that the city had to offer as well as some of the best Porto day trips . 

We arrived in the early evening just in time to check in to Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas and freshen up for dinner. 

We sampled the 6 course tasting menu at Arcadas in the Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas. The highlight was a citrus dessert featuring a "fake orange" filled with cream and an orange jelly. The yuzu gelato was also fantastic. 

A bottle of Baga from Bairrada worked well with the meal. The entire experience was less than 100 EUR per person.

Al Fresco Breakfast at Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas 

After a good night's sleep, enjoy some sparkling Portuguese wine with breakfast at Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas outside under the shade of a giant spiny-leaf podocarp. 

The December weather felt warm to us (or at least warm enough!) and we wanted to take the opportunity to get some fresh air. 

Fill up on the extensive hot and cold breakfast buffet before heading into Coimbra City.

Retrace the Story of Pedro and Inês in the Gardens of Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas

Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas features extensive gardens that capture the the 14th century tale of forbidden love between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro. Prince Pedro was heir to the Portuguese throne when he fell in love with Inês, one of his wife Constança's maids. 

When Constança died in childbirth, Pedro wanted to go public with his relationship with Inês, but it was forbidden by his father King Alfonso and ultimately ended in tragedy. 

We stopped at the Fountain of Love and Fountain of Tears. Legend has it that Prince Pedro would put letters into tiny wooden boats and they would travel across the water originating at Fonte dos Amores (the Fountain of Love). 

The Fountains of Tears is where Inês de Castro was murdered over 650 years ago by knights sent by King Alfonso IV because he feared her influence over Crown Prince Dom Pedro.

Now let's head into Coimbra Town which is within walking distance from Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas. We walked through a street art filled tunnel and over a bridge spanning the Mondego River which featured multi-colored panels to the base of the hill in Coimbra in about 15 minutes. 

Coimbra is extremely hilly. I recommend a power walk up to the top to start because then it's all downhill from there. 

There are also public buses which I believe must be piloted by drivers with nerves of steel to navigate the narrow, steep, and twisting roads to Coimbra University . You have this option if you don't feel up to the walk. 

You'll find whimsical architecture and elegant doors on your walk. Don't be too rigid about your route to the top of the hill, take some time to discover the little hidden surprises on the alleyways of Coimbra. You won't get too lost if you keep heading uphill.

Did you know that Coimbra University is a UNESCO World Heritage site? You can tour three different buildings and the historic library at Coimbra University for 8 EUR per person. 

The ticket office is a little hard to find and is hidden away from the central quad of Coimbra University behind the Museu da Ciência da Universidade de Coimbra on R. Estudos. 

Biblioteca Joanina is the highlight of a visit to Coimbra University and is located above the former academic prison (the university had its own laws and governance until the 1830s). No photos are allowed in the main chamber. 

Spend 10 min exploring exhibits in the intermediate level and then spend 10 min in the gilded library chamber with 2 levels of floor to ceiling centuries old books. I took a picture outside looking in as we were leaving. 

Biblioteca Joanina is simply breathtaking and the door to the library wasn't bad either!

The Chapel of São Miguel is included in the Coimbra University ticket price. Knock on the door and a docent will let you in and scan your ticket. I was super impressed by the organ and colorful ceiling.

Coimbra University ticketed attractions close from 13:00 - 14:00 for lunch. Since we were only in Coimbra for a day, we didn't have time to see both remaining attractions and opted for the historic chemistry lab and science museum instead of the palace.  I am Dr. J after all . 

We got to see a cool historic lecture hall, lab benches, fume hoods, and scientific equipment from throughout the ages.

When you are finished touring Coimbra University, it's time to head downhill. We followed Aqueduto de São Sebastião to the Coimbra Botanic Gardens, an idyllic green space in the middle of town. 

Take a moment to sit on a bench and relax. Your legs will be tired after all that uphill walking earlier.

As you leave the Coimbra Botanic Gardens, head toward Praça da República. You'll find fantastic architecture (although some has seen better days) between Praça da República and Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V in Coimbra. 

Take a photowalk in this area. I'm a huge fan of doors (especially the doors of Dublin ) so I focused my photowalk on the many beautiful doors of Coimbra.

By this time, we were getting hungry. We ate lunch at No Tacho which is located on a small alley near Igreja de Santa Cruz in Coimbra. 

We tried marinhoa beef and partridge stew with rice which were filling and delicious. I have a sweet tooth and so we just had to try the yolk pudding with port wine for dessert. 

We ate outside at No Tacho (the only downside of doing this are the smokers who walk up and down the alley). A bottle of Bairrada white wine was the perfect drink to go with our fine Portuguese meal on a gorgeous December day.

After lunch, pay 3 EUR per person to visit the sacristy at Igreja de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Monastery and Church). Visit an ornate reliquary, admire fantastic tile work, and see where the first two kings of Portugal are buried. Igreja de Santa Cruz is a great value thing to do in Coimbra.

Shop Rua Visconde da Luz

Rua Visconde da Luz is the main pedestrianized thoroughfare in Coimbra. We shopped for irresistible sweet treats at Doce Meu. 

We shopped and took pictures on R. Visc. da Luz from Igreja de Santa Cruz to Largo da Portagem. This is such a pretty stretch to explore in Coimbra. 

Make sure to take a detour down some of the side streets that run off of Rua Visconde da Luz. You never know what you'll find. 

I bought a pair of shoes and a belt made from cork. We also picked up some Arrufadas de Coimbra at Pastelaria Briosa. We soon discovered that they look better than they taste (a sort of slightly sweet bread).

By now, the sun had set on our winter day in Coimbra. We walked back to our hotel via Ponte de Santa Clara. 

Look back and admire the twinkling lights and Coimbra views as you walk across the bridge. We also caught a quick glimpse of Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha and Portugal dos Pequenitos (a miniature world) on our way back to Hotel Quinta Das Lágrimas to conclude our 24 hours in Coimbra.

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Portugal: the University of Coimbra’s leading lights

The University of Coimbra is one of the oldest in Europe. Overlooking the city, it offers a prestigious setting for the 25,000 young people who sit in its venerable lecture halls each year. Students give the city its colour with their traditions and activities.

Dressed in the famous black capa e batina (“cloak and cassock”), they rush around street corners or stand in small groups in front of buildings. “They” are the students from the University of Coimbra. Under this famous uniform, the suit and tie (also black!) worn with a pristine white shirt  unequivocally identify them.

From October to May in Coimbra, a university city in the centre-west of Portugal , the most fervent champions of the tradition wear the attire and the ribbon ( fita ) in the corresponding colour: red for law studies, blue for the arts, yellow for medicine, etc. And if you spot tears in the cloaks, it’s not due to negligence: according to custom, they are cut after each disappointment in love…

Coimbra, a city punctuated by student life

The month of May marks the end of the academic year and the beginning of the festivities in Coimbra. On the first Thursday, at the twelve strokes of midnight, students completing their course symbolically burn their coloured ribbon. The Queima das Fitas (“ribbon burning”) kicks off a large week-long celebration, with a parade for the new graduates, balls, excursions to the Atlantic, concerts, etc.

However, the city embodies university life all year long. As seen by the “republics”, the large shared student houses organised per region or speciality and easily recognisable by the flags or symbols decorating their windows and balconies. The terraces of the Praça da Répública square and in front of the old cathedral are also extremely lively in the evening. Scattered across Coimbra, cafes and discos set the pace of a city proud of its academic history.

The most senior of Portuguese universities

Established in 1308, the University of Coimbra was the second oldest faculty on the Iberian peninsula and one of the first in Europe at the time. At its height, it was one of the most important humanist centres before coming under the grip of the Jesuits, who confined it to conservative teaching. From 1759, the Marquis de Pombal introduced reforms and promoted the culture of the Enlightenment. The Society of Jesus was then expelled and new disciplines taught. The university grew until the advent of the republic in 1910. As a result, knowledge became more widespread and other faculties opened all across Portugal. It marked the end of Coimbra’s supremacy.

A prestigious university

The University of Coimbra has a long and solid reputation. Spread out in the former royal palace at the top of the hill, it looks down on the city and the Mondego River. Keeping a close eye on its students, hidden under the tiled roofs, it seems to only want to release them towards the lower town once they have completed their academic assignments. Nowadays, 25,000 students (around 20% of whom are foreign) share the benches of its three campuses and eight faculties. Many young people prefer to continue their studies here rather than Lisbon , because obtaining a degree in Coimbra is always a mark of prestige.

• adresse : Rua Larga
• ville : Coimbra
• pays : Portugal
• aeroport plus proche : Porto-Francisco Sá-Carneiro

The building is impressive to visit and brings this glorious history to mind. From the main courtyard, you can access the Palace of Schools in the Manueline style, then the Private Examination Room, which reveals the portraits of the former chancellors. But the Joanina Library is particularly worth a visit. This real showcase of knowledge entirely made of wood counts almost 40,000 works and manuscripts.

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30+ Best Things to Do in Coimbra: An Ultimate Guide for 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST COIMBRA THINGS TO DO?

Coimbra is a city steeped in history and culture. From wandering the ancient corridors of the UNESCO-listed university to visiting its stunning library, Biblioteca Joanina — considered one of the most beautiful in the world— there are so many things to do in Coimbra. 

Don’t have time to read the whole article?

Explore everything that Coimbra has to offer on this Guided tour of the University and city of Coimbra with a perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating 😊 ❤️

In this article, I’ll cover everything Coimbra has to offer, from its historic churches and famous University to lovely green spaces. For such a small city, this one packs a punch.

I’ll also help you with practical tips like where to stay when to visit, and so much more. Get ready to learn about the top 30 must-see spots in Coimbra. Ready to explore the best things to do in Coimbra Portugal? Let’s go.

Top Tours in Coimbra

If you aren’t keen on exploring Coimbra yourself, then there are plenty of great tours that will take you there to explore everything that it has to offer. My favorite Coimbra tours include:

➤  Exclusive Coimbra Discovery: Private Walking Tour. Unveil the secrets of Coimbra, Portugal’s former capital, on a private walking tour. Dive into its rich history with visits to the University of Coimbra, New and Old Cathedrals, and the Monastery of Santa Cruz in the Moorish quarter. Wander through the old Jewish Quarter and the Santa Clara a Velha convent. Explore the city with a personal guide, and enjoy a customized tour . ➥ BOOK IT HERE.

➤  Coimbra University & City Private Tour . Explore the historic University of Coimbra and city landmarks on this private guided tour. Wander through Portugal’s oldest university, including the Royal Palace, chapel, assembly room, and the exquisite Joanina Library. Continue to key city sites like the Santa Cruz Monastery. Enjoy a personalized experience with your own private guide . ➥ BOOK IT HERE.

➤   Conimbriga and The Roman Private Experience . Dive into Portugal’s Roman heritage with a half-day private tour of Conimbriga, one of the country’s largest Roman settlements. Choose your preferred time and round-trip transportation from your Coimbra hotel. Explore the remarkable ruins and the grand aqueduct of Conimbriga, visit the Portugal Roman Museum in Sicó, and dive into history at the Museu Monografico de Conimbriga. ➥ BOOK IT HERE.

30 Top Things to Do in Coimbra

1. stroll through the historic coimbra university .

Uncover the academic legacy of Coimbra University , a UNESCO World Heritage site where history whispers through the ancient corridors. The university is a beautiful place to explore the old corridors and discover an incredible past.

From the enchanting Joanina Library — considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world to the picturesque courtyards, every step allows you to dive deeper into the legacy of one of the longest-continuously operating universities in the world. 

And, while you’re there, look around for bits of Hogwarts inspiration in every corner. JK Rowling wrote from Coimbra for some time and took ideas from the university and its students.

🌟 When exploring the university grounds, stop at the Cabinet of Curiosities , a fascinating space filled with strange and beautiful objects that spark curiosity and wonder. Perfect for families, this ‘Theater of the World’ invites you to feel and explore rather than read labels. It’s a sensory adventure that encourages you to discover more.

Things to do in Coimbra

2. visit the stunning biblioteca joanina .

Biblioteca Joanina, an 18th-century Baroque library inside Coimbra University, is a captivating spot full of impressive literary history. It is considered the richest library in Europe and an attraction in Coimbra that shouldn’t be missed. 

The library’s three ornate chambers are each adorned with impressive and beautiful woodwork. They house a collection of amazing, rare, and ancient books totaling 60,000. 

The resident bat colonies are one of the library’s most surreal features. The bats may seem to be the pests, but they are welcome as they keep book-eating insects at bay.

🌟 Travel tip: Although the library is open daily, it is highly recommended that you book your visit in advance . When we arrived in Coimbra in August, all the visits were reserved for the day. 

3. See the Chapel of São Miguel

The Chapel of São Miguel is a unique space at Coimbra University, with intricate details and a fantastic example of Gothic architecture.

The chapel is believed to have been first built in the 12th century , but a series of restorations over the following centuries revealed new details. 

As you step inside, look at the stained-glass windows , the azulejo-tiled walls , and the altar at the front . The chapel’s organ is Baroque in style, but get up close, and you’ll notice the motifs are actually Chinese.

4. Listen to Coimbra Fado at Fado ao Centro

Coimbra Fado is a unique fado genre, sometimes also called Student Fado. Unlike traditional Fao, which is sung by women, it is typically sung by male students from the university. 

You can indulge in an evening of soul-stirring melodies at Fado ao Centro , a cultural gem nestled in the heart of Coimbra. 

This intimate venue, steeped in Portuguese tradition, showcases the top fado talent in Coimbra. There are live shows every day in the evening, but you can also visit to watch rehearsals or chat with the performers of the best fado in Coimbra about their craft. 

5. Take in the Views Machado de Castro National Museum 

Admire the artistic treasures housed in Machado de Castro National Museum and the breathtaking panoramic views of Coimbra. 

Housed in a former Episcopal Palace, the museum is set against the backdrop of the Mondego River. But the building itself is also full of impressive sights and history. 

You can wander through the galleries full of sculptures, paintings, textiles, and more —  some dating back to the 12th century. Once you’ve taken in the artifacts and artworks, head up to the terrace for breathtaking vistas of Coimbra’s Old Town. The sweeping landscapes showcase the city’s architectural marvels and the countryside’s green beyond. 

6. Step back in time at the Old Cathedral of Coimbra

Wander through the medieval charm of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velha), which dates back to the 12th century. The cathedral is a Romanesque masterpiece that is a testament to Portugal’s rich religious and architectural heritage. Some say this cathedral is one of the best examples of original Romanesque architecture. 

From the outside, the building seems like a fortress. However, once you enter and wander through, you’ll notice the carvings and historic artifacts adorning this religious space. Much of the design is in a style that mixes Islamic and Christian influences from the Renaissance. 

7. Explore Santa Cruz Church

Discover the serene beauty of Santa Cruz Church, the final resting place of King Afonso Henriques and his son Sancho I, the first two kings of Portugal. 

The church, a Romanesque architectural gem dating back to the 12th century, boasts intricate Manueline details and a serene cloister. 

Wander through the sacred halls adorned with religious art and symbolic motifs. Be sure to check out the choir stalls, where you can see motifs of the Portuguese ships from the country’s Age of Discovery. Another highlight is the organs covered in Japanese ornamentation. 

8. Have a coffee at the Historic Café Santa Cruz 

Enjoy a moment of relaxation and coffee in one of Coimbra’s oldest establishments, the historic Café Santa Cruz. While the current cafe was inaugurated in 1923 , the building dates back to 1530 and first became a cafe in 1822.

The iconic cafe has beautiful decor and a charming, nostalgic atmosphere. Its stunning tiles and classic furnishings add to its appeal. The vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows from the building’s original use as a chapel have been retained.

Fun fact: While there, try a crúzio — a small almond treat created in the cafe and the best answer to what to eat in Coimbra.

The cafe has regular events — c ultural book presentations, fado shows, and liquor tastings . 

9. Learn about the history behind Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas

The lush gardens of Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas conceal a tale of love and tragedy . They witnessed the forbidden romance between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro in the 14th century. 

Inês was the lady-in-waiting to the prince’s wife. I highly recommend looking more into their story as it is fascinating and even includes the coronation of a dead person. 

You can now visit the gardens, which are 14 hectares (about 35 acres) of lush greenery and shaded pathways.  

The Quinta das Lágrimas Gardens are a living testament to a love story etched into Portuguese lore. In its calm surroundings, you are invited to connect with the passion and sorrow of the story.

10. Explore New Cathedral (Sé Nova) 

This 16th century cathedral, Sé Nova, became the city’s main cathedral in 1772 , hence its name. The building is an architectural marvel that took over 100 years to complete.

Initially built for the Jesuit college , it merges Baroque and Mannerist styles of architecture. The cathedral’s interior is adorned in gold, with intricate detailing and beautiful frescoes. The four saints sitting in the niches on its exterior show the Jesuits’ original influence.

This is one of the great free things to do in Coimbra, as entry to the cathedral is free and open to the public.

11. Look at the Gorgeous Azulejo panels 

Outside the Municipal Market, you’ll find a series of azulejo panels lining the wall. These stunning tiles depict different historical spots around Coimbra. 

You can see famous city monuments such as the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, the Aqueduct of São Sebastião, and more. 

This is a quick stop, but it’s a cool photo opportunity that can be combined with a visit to the market and a ride on the funicular.

12. Shop at the Mercado Municpal

Explore the lively Municipal Market in Coimbra , overflowing with fresh produce and traditional crafts. Dating back to the 19th century, this is an authentic glimpse into Portuguese daily life, and it’s not just for tourists. You’ll see plenty of locals doing their everyday shopping here. 

Wander through the colorful stalls spread across several floors and enjoy the aromas of spices and freshly baked goods. If you want to pick up just about any fresh local produce, you can find it here, plus check out the local cheeses and sample a few (Portugal does cheese surprisingly well).

13. Take the Elevador do Mercado – Funicular

The Elevador do Mercado is a funicular that connects the lower part of Coimbra to the upper part – the area around the market and the area around the university. 

You’ll board a wooden cabin and take the 150-foot ride up, which combines an initial vertical, elevator-like ascent with a funicular ride to finish (all part of the same trip, only the angle changes). 

While the ride is a handy way to avoid a steep climb, it also provides gorgeous views of the Mondego River and the city’s historic landscape. 

Things to do in Coimbra 14. Enjoy Art at Edificio Chiado

Check out contemporary art at Edificio Chiado , a cultural space that showcases the city’s creative spirit. This modern art space within a historic building once a shopping mall showcases diverse artistic expressions, from avant-garde installations to thought-provoking exhibitions. 

The museum’s permanent exhibition has an amazing collection of Portuguese paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries . In addition to paintings, you can also see furniture, ceramics, and more. 

There are also two temporary exhibition galleries with changing exhibits. A recent temporary exhibition by the artist Josete Fernandes showcased women and fragrances.

15. Explore the Coimbra Botanical Gardens

Wander through the green oasis of the Coimbra Botanical Garden, home to diverse flora covering 13 hectares — or around 32 acres. Established in the 18th century by the then-prime minister, the botanical gardens are a tranquil, serene space with winding paths and a vast array of exotic plants. 

Throughout the gardens are themed sections like the medicinal and aromatic plants. Plus, there are rare varieties from all corners of the world. The garden is a living encyclopedia of biodiversity. 

The gardens are open daily all year round, and guided tours are available.

16. Gaze Upon the Yellow Domes of the Jardim da Manga

At Coimbra’s Jardim da Manga, iconic yellow cupolas proudly surround a fountain amidst serene ponds and manicured lawns. The garden is located within a former monastery — the only part that still functions is the Church of Santa Cruz. 

The small garden is classified as a National Monument, and its style has a strong Moorish influence. Legend says that Portugal’s King John III was inspired to have this structure built at this spot after he traced a sketch of it on his sleeve. Thus, the name of the garden manga means sleeve.

17. Appreciate the view at Penedo da Saudade

Penedo da Saudade is a park with a viewpoint that locals — especially students — greatly love. You can read many poems written in and about this space on plaques throughout the park. 

The viewpoint overlooks the Mondego River , the city’s terracotta rooftops, all of its architectural highlights, and on a clear day — beyond the city to the hills in the distance. 

You can admire the city while surrounded by lush greenery. Penedo da Saudade, adorned with sculptures and benches, is a serene and inviting space.

18. Pass Through the Barbican Gate

The medieval Barbican Gate is an entrance to Coimbra’s old town and highlights the city’s fascinating past. Dating back to the 17th century, this gateway has welcomed many visitors. 

Interestingly, though the Barbican Gate is an entrance to the old town, it is not the entrance. The very definition of a barbican is that it is a defensive gate and can be sacrificed during a siege because a secondary gate stands beyond it.

Luckily, this one never needed to be sacrificed, and so still stands today. 

19. Walk Over Pedro e Inês Bridge

Cross the Mondego River over the iconic Pedro e Inês Bridge, named after the tragic lovers Pedro and Inês — the same ill-fated couple from the Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas.

The picturesque bridge offers a vital crossing and beautiful panoramic views of Coimbra’s skyline. But, before you cross the bridge, catch a glimpse of it from the shoreline. It has been nicknamed ‘ the bridge that doesn’t meet ’ for the optical illusion created by the way the two halves come together ( spoiler alert : they do meet, and you can cross the entire river).

20. Feel like a Giant at Portugal dos Pequenitos 

This adorable miniature park offers a unique perspective on Portugal’s landmarks. Established in 1940, the theme park recreates iconic Portuguese landmarks and international structures in miniature form. 

You can stroll through crafted replicas of palaces, castles, and villages and marvel at the intricate details of each one. Some famous spots here are the University of Coimbra and the Tower of Belem (Lisbon).

If you’re traveling to Coimbra with kids, this is a great family-friendly attraction. Full-price adult tickets are €14.95 ($16.24 USD & $21.83 CAD), with discounts for kids depending on age. The park is open daily.

21. Delight in Art at Casa-Museu Bissaya Barreto 

Here, you will find Bissaya Barreto’s personal collection . Barreto is the man behind the creation of Portugal dos Pequenitos.

Housed in a charming museum, the eclectic collection of works of this renowned Portuguese physician and art enthusiast is a treasure trove of paintings, sculptures, and decorative pieces spanning various periods. The collection perfectly showcases what Barreto deemed most important: Beauty, Order, Perfection, and Aesthetics.

But before you even enter the house turned museum, explore the beautiful gardens full of azulejos.

22. Find Peace in Parque Manuel Braga

Relax in Parque Manuel Braga’s peaceful surroundings, right in the heart of Coimbra. The park offers an unexpectedly beach-like retreat from the busy city life. 

The urban oasis features lovely shaded dirt walking paths along the river banks. There are benches, gazebos to rest in, and ample open green spaces to lay out and catch a few extra sun rays.

23. Walking Among the Ruins of Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha 

Embark on a journey through time as you walk among the haunting ruins of Sé Velha Cathedral. This 13th-century Gothic Velha monastery was once incredibly grand — today, you can see the stone walls and arches that time has left behind. 

This monastery has a beautiful history partly because of the fight that finally allowed women to reside there. Unfortunately, sitting in the river’s floodplain, the structure did not withstand the test of time, and only gorgeous ruins and stories are left today.

24. Discover the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova 

After the repeated flooding of Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova was constructed to house the Clarissa nuns. Its beautiful construction is a testament to Portugal’s religious and architectural heritage.

Founded in the 17th century, the majestic complex houses the tomb of Queen Saint Elizabeth, which was transferred here from the old monastery. 

Wander through serene courtyards and check out the gilded carvings and the 18th-century choir chairs. You can also find the military museum housed within the cloisters.

Just do you know, this monastery is a little bit out of the way (and up a hill). So it will be hard to get there on foot. However you will get a beautiful view once you do get there.

25. Revel at the São Sebastião Aqueduct

Coimbra’s São Sebastião Aqueduct is a 16th-century historical monument that stands tall against the city’s skyline — it was built on top of a preceding Roman aqueduct’s layout. 

This impressive aqueduct, about 30 meters tall, spans nearly a kilometer and showcases intricate arches and remarkable stonework. Within each of the arches, you can find unique carvings such as rosettes, shells, crosses, or the royal coats-of-arms.

While the aqueduct was once vital for supplying water to Coimbra, it now stands as a testament to its architectural prowess.

Day Trips From Coimbra

26. conímbriga.

Conímbriga is one of Portugal’s largest and most extensive Roman archaeological sites . The exceptionally preserved ancient city, dating back to the 1st century BCE, offers a vivid glimpse into the Romans’ urban life. 

On a day trip there , you can see the intricate mosaic floors, remarkably intact residential structures, and the well-preserved forum. Walking through the streets, amphitheater, and thermal baths, you’ll be transported back to the 9th century BC. 

​​📍HOW TO GET TO CONÍMBRIGA

The trip from Coimbra to Conímbriga is about 18 km (11 miles) and takes around 20 minutes by car. It’s easy if you have a rental car, or you could take a taxi, Uber, or Bolt.

However, if you prefer not to drive, you can get there by bus. Transdev has two daily routes between Coimbra and Conímbriga, and the trip takes about 45 minutes.

Another option is to take this Conimbriga and Roman Tour, a private tour that will take you to visit the ancient ruins with a museum excursion.

27. Schist Villages at Lousa Mountain

Nestled in the rugged beauty of Lousã Mountain, the Schist Villages showcase traditional Portuguese architecture. These enchanting villages — 12 in total — were built with schist stones and blended seamlessly with the natural landscape surrounding them. 

As you wander through villages like Cerdeira and Talasnal, the winding cobblestone streets and charming stone cottages will immerse you in a bygone era. If you have time on your day trip, this area is fantastic for hiking through the lush green landscape. For more info on the Schist Villages, read here .

🌟 Fun fact: There are 27 Schist villages spread across the Lousã and Açor ranges, which are close to Serra da Estrela.

​​📍HOW TO GET TO THE SCHIST VILLAGES

The easiest way to get from Coimbra to the Schist Villages is by car. There is no way to do the trip by public transport. The drive is about 95 km, around 60 miles, and takes approximately 90 minutes. Since it is a slightly longer journey, this is a good opportunity to consider an overnight stay in the villages.

If you don’t have a car, there are plenty of tours that depart Coimbra and that will take you to various Schist villages nearby, like this Tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão or this adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã.

28. Fatima 

Fatima is an incredibly spiritual town located in central Portugal. It has profound religious significance as it’s believed that this is the site where three shepherd children witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. 

Now, Fatima is a popular pilgrimage destination. In Fatima, you can visit the iconic Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary and the home of the shepherd children. Beyond its spiritual allure, Fatima is also a gorgeous small town worth wandering around. 

​​📍HOW TO GET TO FATIMA

The drive from Coimbra to Fatima is about 89 km or just over 55 miles. It should take around one hour each way. Alternatively, Flixbus runs around 12 departures daily between the two cities. The bus trip takes around an hour as well. 

If you are looking for a tour from Coimbra, this half day tour to Fatima is the perfect choice.

29. Tomar 

Tomar, a historic gem in central Portugal, has a rich tapestry of history and culture. Dominated by the imposing Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tomar is an ancient medieval city frozen in time. 

Founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, the convent features intricate Manueline architecture. Tomar’s historic center is full of cobbled streets and charming squares, making it perfect for strolls. You can also visit the banks of the Nabão River, which add to the city’s picture-perfect presence. 

​​📍HOW TO GET TO TOMAR

You can drive from Coimbra to Tomar in about 50 – 60 minutes. The trip is around 78 km or 48 miles. Unfortunately, there is no great public transport connection. You can get a train, but you’ll have to backtrack south to Entroncamento before switching north to Tomar. If this is your only option, an overnight stay in Tomar is worth considering.

For a tour option this day tour from Coimbra , includes stops in Tmar, Batalha and Alcobaça, three World Heritage Sites in Portugal.

Aveiro is a small city often called the Venice of Portugal , thanks to its scenic waterways reminiscent of Venice’s canals. But, in place of gondolas, the waterways are full of the traditional moliceiro boats, which were brightly painted and used to collect algae from the river before they became transportation for tourists. 

The city is also full of unique Art Nouveau architecture and delicious cuisine. Aveiro’s historic center has lively markets, the iconic São Gonçalinho Chapel, and lots more things to do in Aveiro.

​​📍HOW TO GET TO AVEIRO

The drive from Coimbra to Aveiro is about 63 km, or around 39 miles, and takes just under an hour. However, the trip is much faster by train. There is a direct train that takes just under 30 minutes.

The best tour option is this half-day trip that will take you to Aveiro , as well as the famous Costa Nova beah and even includes a Moliceiro boat ride.

31. Wine Tour from Coimbra

🍷 One of the best things to do near Coimbra is to have a glass or two of wine.

One of the closest wine regions to Coimbra is Bairrada. This region sits just north of the city and stretches from the coast inland to the mountains around Caramulo. You can visit many small vineyards throughout the region, which are much more intimate than the mass-produced wines of other Portuguese wine-producing regions. 

On this half-day Flavors of Bairrada tour , you’ll visit one of the region’s wineries. At the winery, you’ll learn more about the winemaking process and have a chance to sample the goods. Outside of the wineries you can fully customize the tour, adding in any extra stops you’d like to visit.

Where is Coimbra 

Coimbra is located in central Portugal. It straddles the banks of the Mondego River and boasts a strategic location (for conquerors then and for tourists now) approximately halfway between Lisbon and Porto.

Porto is closer , at about 125 km (77 miles), versus Lisbon , which is around 200 km (127 miles). Coimbra sits about 42 km, or 26 miles inland from the coast. The nearest coastal city is Figueira da Foz. 

📍COIMBRA MAP

How to Get To Coimbra 

Due to its central location in Portugal, getting to Coimbra is convenient. If arriving by air, the closest airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. Lisbon’s Portela Airport is also an option — though it’s slightly further, it’s still very convenient. From there, you can take a train bus, or rent a car to travel to Coimbra. 

Rede Expressos bus gets you from Lisbon Oriente to Coimbra, while the CP train connection takes about one hour and 45 minutes from Santa Apolónia in Lisbon. 

If you’re coming from Porto, you can take a CP train from Campanha — the journey takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. The bus connections, run by Flixbus and Alsa , take just under 90 minutes. They also leave from Campanha.

Coming from the Algarve by public transportation, you’ll have to pass through and switch in Lisbon.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Coimbra is during the shoulder seasons — spring (March to May) or the fall (September to November). Tourist numbers are down during these months, but the weather is also mild, making walking around the city and any outdoor activities very pleasant. 

☀️ Summer (June to August) is also a popular time to visit, but temperatures are higher, with August being the hottest month. Temperatures usually top off in the mid-80s F (around 29 C). These months also see increased tourist activity. 

❄️ Winter (December to February) is quieter, offering a unique charm with some holiday events. Of course, this is also the coldest period of the year, with temperatures going as low as the low 40s F (around 6 C) in January, the wettest month. 

What to Pack

When packing for Coimbra, plan for lots of walking on uneven ground and pack for changes in weather — even in summer. Pack comfortable walking shoes for walking all day on the cobblestone streets and through historical sites. 

Even if the forecast looks warm, you should expect mild and changing temperatures, so bring layers, including light jackets or sweaters, for cooler evenings. Given the potential for rain, a waterproof jacket or umbrella may be handy. 

Of course, you should always pack your travel essentials , such as travel adapters, sunscreen, and any personal items you might need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Where to Stay in Coimbra

Choosing the right neighborhood and the best places to stay in Coimbra depends on your preferences and travel priorities. Each area offers a unique atmosphere and proximity to different attractions.

​​Alta de Coimbra / Upper Coimbra

Alta de Coimbra has a medieval charm around the university, with narrow streets, historic buildings, and easy access to the University. Alta means high, so this is the city’s upper part. It is a downhill walk to many other attractions. Here, you’ll be surrounded by cultural and architectural landmarks.

Baixa, or downtown, is a bustling district with vibrant streets, diverse dining options, and lively markets. Staying here gives you easy access to shops, restaurants, bars, and the lively city atmosphere.

Santa Clara 

This neighborhood provides a tranquil atmosphere by the Mondego River. Santa Clara offers a sort of escape from the city with scenic river views and easy access to the waterfront. While quieter, you’re still close enough to the city center to easily access attractions, shopping, and eating. 

Santo António dos Olivais

This neighborhood is more residential than others, which are more touristy. This is a good pick if you want something that has a bit more tranquility but still has convenient access to key attractions. Santo António dos Olivais offers a mix of green spaces, historic sites, and a taste for what local life in Coimbra looks like.

Is Coimbra Safe?

Coimbra is generally considered quite a safe destination for tourists. The city has a reputation for being welcoming and friendly, with a relatively low crime rate compared to larger urban areas.

The historic center, where many main attractions are located, is well-patrolled by local police forces (without being too over the top) and tends to be safe for tourists.

However, as with anywhere, exercising standard safety precautions is important. Always be mindful of pickpockets, especially in crowded or very touristy spots. 

Is Coimbra safe during the night?

Generally, the central areas remain safe even after dark. There are well-lit streets and a generally fun, lively atmosphere year round.

Coimbra is known for its lively student population , which means the city has quite a vibrant nightlife with plenty of things to do in Coimbra at night. Popular nighttime areas are the student quarter and the main squares, often frequented by locals and tourists alike throughout the evening. 

Unfortunately, with these parties often comes excessive drinking — so always be on the lookout for antisocial behavior.  It’s also wise to avoid poorly lit areas at night. Always use known public transportation or ride shares from reputable companies like Bolt or Uber. 

Things to do in Coimbra: FAQs

Is it worth visiting coimbra .

Yes — it is absolutely worth visiting Coimbra. The medieval university is the centerpiece of its rich historical and cultural tapestry.

Beyond that, there is amazing architecture from throughout the city’s many centuries of history, a scenic riverfront, and plenty more to explore.

What is Coimbra best known for?

Coimbra is best known for its historic university, one of the oldest in Europe and the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the only Portuguese-speaking university in the world for many centuries.  

What is the most Instagrammable place in Coimbra?

The University of Coimbra’s Joanina Library is the most Instagrammable place in Coimbra. Specifically, the stunning Baroque architecture and the resident bats (yes, real ones) are Instagram-worthy gems. 

How much time do you need in Coimbra?

Usually, 2 days in Coimbra or up to three days in Coimbra is ample time to explore the key attractions. That covers the university and the historic landmarks throughout the city and leaves time to wander through the charming neighborhoods and quaint cobblestoned streets. 

Is Coimbra a day trip from Lisbon or Porto?

While it is possible to do a day trip to Coimbra from either Porto or Lisbon, it’s a long journey that will make your day busy trying to see all of the city. 

It’s a good idea to consider staying overnight, allowing time for a more leisurely exploration of the city.

Is one day enough for Coimbra? 

While a day in Coimbra is enough to catch a glimpse of the city’s beauty, extending your stay allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere provided by the ancient university and its current student population.

Final Thoughts: Top Things to Do in Coimbra Portugal

If you’re wondering what to do in Coimbra for a day or two, hopefully, these 30 Coimbra attractions will help you and will also answer the question: is Coimbra worth visiting?

Still, Don’t Know Where To Start Exploring?

From the famous ancient university to new architecture and open green spaces, there are many things to see in Coimbra. Get ready to be enchanted and enthralled and to enjoy your Coimbra visit.

My name is Caitlin. I am from Vermont, USA. I have lived in Setúbal, Portugal since 2021. I work as a writer and editor as well as a teacher. Outside of work I love horseback riding, hiking, and exploring new places around the globe. I write about my travels at The Country Jumper.

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Endowment fund helps undergraduates explore career opportunities

By Ashley A. Williams [email protected] 04-15-2024

Internships play a crucial role in an undergraduate’s academic career. From gaining invaluable hands-on experience to networking with professionals in their prospective industry, an internship is beneficial—whether paid or unpaid. 

Mark and Maureen Angelo share that belief and a deep affection for the University of Miami, which led them to make a $1 million gift to the Toppel Career Center. Through the Mark and Maureen Angelo Family Endowment Fund , which has also received support from other parents of University of Miami students , undergraduate students can receive financial awards as they pursue high quality internships that foster their career exploration. 

“We love the U,” said Mark Angelo, the founder of Yorkville Advisors, a global investment manager. “As a family, we are proud to partner with the University of Miami to make a difference by providing resources to students as they pursue their career interests.” 

For Nicole Daitschman, a second-year architecture student, that support enabled her to pursue a summer internship with Branco del Rio Arquitectos, a small architecture firm in Coimbra, Portugal. 

For months, Daitschman lived in Coimbra, a place she had never visited before, and was able to immerse herself in the culture and professional architecture approaches. 

“I was allowed to not only be a part of all the projects being developed but also to have insightful conversations with the other architects, including the firm's owners,” said Daitschman. “I developed skills of model building, communication, entrepreneurship, structure analysis, building codes, financial aspects of a project, photography, and graphic design, besides expanding my personal horizons of the Portuguese and European culture.” 

Juan Fernando Flechas Beltran, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering with a biomaterials and tissue concentration, also received an award from the Angelo Family Endowment Fund to help fund his internship last summer with the NeuStem Research Group at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. 

His internship had a very personal connection and helped provide a sense of closure to a horrifying incident he had faced. 

“On Jan. 6, 2023, while riding my motorcycle, I was hit by an SUV that sped through a red light. As I hit the ground, I remember I became paralyzed from my chest down,” he said. 

After a 7-hour emergency surgery and a 3-week hospital stay, Flechas regained autonomy eight months later. 

“I like to think of this accident as an opportunity that allowed me to have a more in-depth understanding of the needs of individuals affected by paralysis,” said Flechas. “Experiencing the fear of becoming paralyzed and witnessing the ability of our bodies to heal after extensive trauma has further stoked my commitment.” 

In addition to Daitschman’s and Felchas’ experiences, other students have landed internship opportunities at NASCAR, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Creative Artists Agency, circuit and district courts, television networks, and more. 

“While we recognize that internships are important, the fact remains that for many students, internships are out of reach because they lack the funds to engage in one. That is why we are so thankful to the Angelos for helping to remove barriers to internship access,” said Christian Garcia, associate dean, Toppel Career Center. 

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• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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What to visit

Palace of Schools

Science Museum

Botanical Garden

Astronomical Observatory

Cabinet of Curiosities

Academic museum.

Founded in 1290 by King D. Dinis, the University of Coimbra is the oldest Portuguese-speaking university and one of the oldest in the world. Originally, the University had 4 Faculties; Theology, Canons, Laws and Medicine, with its installations traveling between Lisbon and Coimbra for three centuries.

This is definitely established in Coimbra in 1537, during the reign of D. João III, settling in the current Palace of Schools in 1544.

In the eighteenth century, the University would receive its major reform since its foundation, with the implementation of the new statutes; Known as "Estatutos Pombalinos" in 1772. As a result of the vision of the Marquis of Pombal, these statutes led to the modernization of education, especially focus on science teaching component. For this purpose the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy was created and the teaching of medicine was reformed.

This set of renovations created the need to build new buildings and spaces to house the new studies. As such, at this time the Astronomical Observatory, Chemical Laboratory, the initial nucleus of the Botanical Garden, the Natural History Gallery, the Office of Experimental Physics and the University Press were built.

During the twentieth century, the University created new poles, being today spread throughout the city of Coimbra. There are currently 8 colleges (Letters, Law, Medicine, Science and Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Sport Sciences and Physical Education) and more than 22,000 students from all corners of the world.

With 730 years of history, the University of Coimbra is an unavoidable institution in the history of Portugal and the entire Portuguese-speaking world, having been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, due to its unique material and immaterial heritage, fundamental in the history of Portugal. European and world scientific culture.

"Scientiae Thesaurus Mirabilis"  - Foundation Document of the General Study

Geophysical and Astronomic Observatory

Baroque library, royal palace, saint michael's chapel, chemistry laboratory, college of jesus, great hall of acts, great greenhouse, college of s. jerónimo.