What to do and see in Coimbra, Central Portugal: The Best Museums

September 30, 2021 Janean Rudisill

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. A Camponeza

Rua da Louca n0 80 Next to citizen store, Coimbra 3000-243 Portugal +351 239 059 326 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/acamponeza/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

A Camponeza

A Camponeza is a traditional Grocery Shop inaugurated in 1912. In the nineties it was transformed into a Wine Shop. In 2016, Assunção Ataíde and Paulo Bela started a new project where the A Camponeza kept its Wine Shop and Gourmet products were added to its offers. A terrace was opened where wine is served by the glass on the terrace an as well as Portuguese tapas. On the 3 upper floors of the building an Art Gallery was opened.

Reviewed By ToniJ515 - Cairns, Australia

I stumbled across this wonderful liquor shop whilst in Coimbra and am so glad I did. From the minute I walked in I knew it was special. The amazing friendly service was absolutely wonderful and would recommend a visit when in Coimbra. You will love the place and the experience.

2. Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro

Largo Doutor Jose Rodrigues, Coimbra 3000-236 Portugal +351 239 853 070 http://www.museumachadocastro.pt/
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
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4.5 based on 654 reviews

Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro

Reviewed By DutchBrother - Boston, United States

This is such an amazing museum one wonders why it is not better known. It is a very odd mixture of art, architecture and history. The bottom two floors are an excavated, Roman forum from 2000 years ago. The museum is built on top on the Roman forum because it is housed in a palace that was built on the Roman ruins. I have no idea how they were able to excavate the Roman ruins with a building on top of it, but it is amazing. The forum has two levels of similar sized rooms, at least 20 or 30 rooms plus long halls. It is like a maze. The main museum is three floors above the Roman ruins. It has an excellent collection of sculptures over many centuries, with excellent collections from the 15th and 16th centuries. There is a sublime collection of medieval and more recent metal work. There are some very fine religious paintings and some decorative arts including tapestries. Much of the art was not familiar to me. We were entranced. There is also a nice cafe with seating on the outdoor terrace. It mainly has drinks and snacks. It has great views over the city. We spent two hours here and felt like we could have spent more. It's that good.

3. Misericordia de Coimbra Museum

Rua de Sobre Ribas 49, Coimbra 3000-395 Portugal +351 239 823 403 [email protected] http://misericordiacoimbra.pt/museu/
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
16%
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4.5 based on 38 reviews

Misericordia de Coimbra Museum

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.

4. Exploratorio - Centro Ciencia Viva de Coimbra

Rotunda das Lages Parque Verde do Mondego, Coimbra 3040-255 Portugal +351 239 703 897 [email protected] http://www.exploratorio.pt
Excellent
56%
Good
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4.5 based on 43 reviews

Exploratorio - Centro Ciencia Viva de Coimbra

5. Museu de Ciencia da Universidade de Coimbra

Largo Marques de Pombal, Coimbra 3700-272 Portugal +351 239 854 350 [email protected] http://www.museudaciencia.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Museu de Ciencia da Universidade de Coimbra

6. Museu da Ciencia

Largo Marques de Pombal, Coimbra 3000-272 Portugal +351 239 854 350 [email protected] http://www.museudaciencia.org
Excellent
36%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 213 reviews

Museu da Ciencia

Reviewed By 175jessek - Madison, United States

I loved this museum! Cabinets full of shells and odd stuffed animals. Look at the pictures on line and you will know instantly if this is for you. To me, it was a time machine into the past, the beginnings of biology, zoology and chemistry. You get a ticket to see this museum (two museums really--a smaller one that is chemistry, a larger one for biology and zoology across the street) with your entrance to the University of Coimbra (library etc) so it is well worth doing! And there is a lovely little cafe with a terrace on the side of the museum that is great for lunch--salads etc. Peaceful. Reasonably priced!

7. Casa Museu Bissaya Barreto

Rua da Infantaria 23, Coimbra Portugal +351 239 853 800 http://www.fbb.pt/cmbb
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Casa Museu Bissaya Barreto

8. Galeria Santa Clara

Rua Antonio Augusto Goncalves 67, Coimbra 3040-241 Portugal +351 239 441 657 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/galeriastaclara/
Excellent
39%
Good
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Satisfactory
9%
Poor
8%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 150 reviews

Galeria Santa Clara

We are a mix of restaurant, bar, café, bar, “a kind of” art gallery. We found that, in addition to the 5 senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell), we are developing other, as the "lovell" :) And the "lovell" may be the main responsable for making us, valuing loving environments, respect animals or try to keep criticism asside. Everything we do aims to provide moments of happiness.

9. Museu de Zoologia

Largo Marques de Pombal, Coimbra 3004-517 Portugal +351 239 854 350 [email protected] http://www.museudaciencia.org/index.php?module=events&option=calendar&id=406
Excellent
25%
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.0 based on 12 reviews

Museu de Zoologia

10. Water Museum

Parque Dr. Manuel Braga, Coimbra 3040-202 Portugal +351 239 102 115 http://www.museudaagua.com
Excellent
12%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
41%
Poor
12%
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Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 17 reviews

Water Museum

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