Location: Coimbra
Top Things to do in Coimbra
10 Historic Sites in Coimbra That You Shouldn't Miss
Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [kuˈĩbɾɐ, ˈkwĩbɾɐ]; Proto-Celtic: *Corumbriga)) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population at the 2011 census was 143,397, in an area of 319.40 square kilometres (123.3 sq mi). The fourth-largest urban centre in Portugal (after Lisbon, Porto, Braga), it is the largest city of the district of Coimbra, the Centro region and the Baixo Mondego subregion. About 460,000 people live in the Região de Coimbra, comprising 19 municipalities and extending into an area 4,336 square kilometres (1,674 sq mi).
Restaurants in Coimbra
1. Igreja e Mosteiro da Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 673 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
The Church of Santa Cruz is located in the center of Coimbra, the historic center, in a very charming place. A very nice church. It was erected in the first half of the XII century. Lots to see, lots of history. The heart of the Romanesque church is an unusual altar without a statue, and two amazing tombs of Portugal's first rulers: Alphonsus I the Conqueror and Sancho I. The blue azulejos tiles are a characteristic feature of the church. The interior of the temple is decorated with a huge organ with fantastic Japanese works of art. A monastery is a real gem. A must visit if you are in Coimbra. Next to it is a square with a number of cafes.
2. Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 656 reviews
Reviewed By john8tea - Fukuoka, Japan
We stumbled on the ruined Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha late on our first afternoon in Coimbra, after walking along the Mondego river and visiting the gardens of the Quinta das Lágrimas. This 13th-century convent was strongly associated with Portugal's saintly queen, Santa Isabel, and was an important pilgrimage site during the medieval period and beyond, until it had to be abandoned in 1677 due to the river's constantly rising floodwaters. After painstaking archeological and restoration work, the ruins can now be visited. You first make your way through the small museum/information centre, with many interesting artifacts and a great deal of information (unfortunately, the explanatory notes are only in Portuguese at the moment, but if you persevere you can understand enough to get the gist). There is an absorbing documentary video shown in the auditorium and if you can catch one with English subtitles (ours was at 5.30pm) it is well worth watching, as it sets everything in a richer historical context. Then you make your way out into the ruins of the convent church and cloisters, where the explanatory notices, though few in number, are in both Portuguese and English. It is a quiet, contemplative and evocative sacred space.
3. Penedo da Saudade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By joaob205
Hard to translate it's name, you will find yourself involved in huge roots and tablets written by old students of the city,shwing their love for her and the will to one day return
4. Misericordia de Coimbra Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
The Misericordia de Coimbra Museum opened its doors to the public on the 12 of September 2000, during the commemorations of the 500 years of the founding of the Misericordia of Coimbra, by order of king Manuel I. The museum occupies part of the former College of Wisdom, an university college that belonged to the Order of the Regular Canons of Saint Augustin. The building was constructed between 1593 and 1604, in manneirist style, according to the project of the italian architect Filipe Terzi. The building is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
5. Sala dos Capelos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You are at the former Throne Hall of the ancient "Paço Real da Alcáçova", the royal palace of the Portuguese kings while Coimbra was their capital city! "Sala dos Capelos", most commonly known as "Sala dos Grandes Atos", was named after the "capelos" - the ornamented caps used by the doctors of the "Universidade de Coimbra" on solemn occasions. Here, the most important ceremonies of the University take place! Enjoy!
6. Torre da Universidade de Coimbra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
After crossing "Porta Férrea" and reaching the stunning "Paço das Escolas" of the "Universidade de Coimbra", you will be almost in front of this awesome clock and bell tower! Built between 1728 and 1733, by Italian architect António Cannevari, it is mostly known, among the University students, as "Torre da Cabra", as one of its four bells is nicknamed as "Sino da Cabra" (literally, the "Goat Bell" in English). The tower has always had an important role in the University life, due to the frequent sign sounds from its four bronze bells. You can even climb to its top! Climbing up may be quite "challenging", but fantastic views of the University campus and of "Rio Mondego" await you! Enjoy!
7. Quinta das Lagrimas
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 714 reviews
Reviewed By pacaseb - San Juan, Caribbean
This Hotel is very very nice! Located across the River, 10-12 mins walk from Old Town Has excellent service from all employees. Food was very good Welcome drink every day, pm The Restaurant tasting menu was exquisite and must visit! Need to reserve in advance, although they accommodate guests as a priority, it is a highly visited restaurant among locals. Need to know the history beyond this hotel so read and get to know a bit and then visit their Lovely gardens and Fountain and figure why it is called Das Lagrimas!!
8. Estacao Ferroviaria De Coimbra
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
9. Portugal dos Pequenitos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,996 reviews
Reviewed By marinalion2015 - Moscow, Russia
It's a place tourists should visit in Coimbra.There are three zones in it.The first zone shows typical houses which were built in towns and village in Portugal.In the second zone the main Portugese histirical monuments are shown.The third zone tells about the former colonies of Portugal.There are a few museums in this park. We enjoyed the museum of national costume,the museum of Navy Fleet, the furniture museum.
10. Torre de Anto
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