Coimbra

The cradle of Portugal's most beloved traditions, the Region of Coimbra is the perfect destination to let yourself be surrounded by the secrets of nature, travel through the memory of the most beautiful stories of our country and discover the treasures of Baixo Mondego.

Enchanted forests, picturesque villages and refreshing beaches await you. Come and discover the Region of Coimbra and along such central paths, let yourself be carried away by its unique charm.

Visiting Coimbra is making history come alive, participating in some of the oldest traditions in the country and discovering the treasures of our past. From the ruins of Conímbriga to the most travelled Portuguese Way of St. James that passes through Coimbra, to the annual Serenade in what is known as the City of Students, the most curious travellers have a unique opportunity in this region to be part of History through secular rituals, stunning monuments, and magical places.

In Coimbra, the oldest university in the country, the imposing Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the Botanical Garden and the majestic Monastery of Santa Clara are mandatory stops during your tour.

To relive the tragic love betweenInês and Pedro, lose yourself in the enchanted trails of the Jardim da Quinta das Lágrimas (garden), filled with centuries-old trees, medieval ruins, ponds, and streams. Legend has it that the blood spilled by D. Inês will have left a reddish stain on the stones of the Fonte (fountain) das Lágrimas, still visible today. Your adventure continues through Piódão, a historic village that served as a refuge for one of the beautiful Inês' executioners.

If what you are looking for is something more relaxing, why not spend your days in a luxurious spa? At the Malo Clinic hot springs, nestled in the green hills of Mata Nacional do Bussaco, you can enjoy the best that nature and modern technology have to offer.

The Quinta das Lágrimas Golf Club and the Municipal Golf Academy in Cantanhede are two essential destinations for anyone looking to practise their favourite hobby in a stunning setting.

The picturesque Schist Villages are equally enchanting, and their rustic atmosphere promises to offer you your well-deserved rest.

And because travelling with the family is even more fun, you'll also find plenty of activities here to entertain your little explorers! Let your imagination run wild in the magical world of Portugal dos Pequenitos or spend a family day at the lively Exploratório – Ciência Viva Coimbra (Exploratory). Here, fun has no age!

If you're coming as a family, why not explore the region's endless green landscapes together? The mountainous and schist Serra do Açor is ideal for hiking and observing the most unique landscapes in the country. The Paul do Taipal and Paul da Madriz Special Protection Areas offer you an exclusive opportunity to observe rare animal communities.

And because the good weather always invites you to take a walk along the seafront, there is nothing better than enjoying the refreshing beaches of Figueira da Foz. While the surfers are enjoying the biggest wave right on the beach in the world, take a boat and discover the stunning landscape of Quiaios Beach, whose sand stretches for kilometres along the coast against a green and mountainous backdrop.

The river beaches in the region are equally stunning, with excellent infrastructure, equipped to receive bathers of all kinds and Praia Artificial das Rocas (artificial beach) is perfect for families!

Stretching from the west coast beaches to the deepest mountain valleys, the Region of Coimbra is full of offers for all ages. Whether you're a fan of street art or a connoisseur of contemporary architecture, this is also where you'll find the best cultural offerings in the country. And when the adventure wets your appetite, nothing better than a tasty suckling pig from Bairrada accompanied by a pleasant regional wine. Enjoy your food!

In the city of Coimbra, in Largo da Cruz de Celas, you can appreciate the Panel of tiles, by Vasco Berardo, of contemporary art, figurative, in polychrome ceramics, which is integrated into the surrounding wall of the Cruz de Celas building. It has the representation of human figures in everyday scenes, namely traditional professions (some of which still exist today). There are, among others, scenes of religion (nuns, priests, etc.), a market, bakers, masons, stonemasons, shepherding, shoemakers, flax spinners, musicians.

In this city there is an infinity of monuments and places to admire and delight, namely:

The first College of the Society of Jesus was created in Coimbra in 1542 with the purpose of preparing missionaries, especially to the East. It had capacity for more than 200 students, faculty, and auxiliary personnel. With the expulsion of the Company in 1759, the assets of the College were attached to the University Farm. The church passed to the category of Cathedral of Coimbra (New Cathedral), in 1772; the building, following the principles of the University’s Pombaline reform, was adapted between 1773 and 1775 to receive the Museum of Natural History, later divided into more specific museums: Museum of Physics, Museum of Mineralogy of Geology, Zoological Museum and Botanical Museum.

The set of buildings of this patio was originally built to house the College of Arts (later transferred to Upper Coimbra). The name by which it is currently designated is due to it having been one of the headquarters for the Court of the Holy Office, which worked here from 1561 until its extinction in 1821. After excavation and adaptation works, part of the old collegiate buildings gave way to an exhibition centre - the Visual Arts Centre, open to the public in 2003.

Sofia street, from the Greek word for Science or Wisdom, definitively consolidated the city of Coimbra as a cultural centre and national university campus. It was torn in 1535, as an artery of unusual breadth and regularity for the time, probably making it one of the largest streets in Europe. Sofia Street stood out from the narrow, sinuous network of the alleyways and surrounding alleys. It was designed to house from the first moment the colleges of the University, which D. João III returned to Coimbra, installing the main buildings in the Real Paço. This new and monumental urban structure gave a very particular symbolism to the installation of the schools, realised from 1537; of that time, and to this day, the history and life of the city remained closely linked to the University.