Portugal · City Guide
Coimbra
Coimbra is one of Portugal's most historic and intellectually vibrant cities, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the magnificent Joanine Library, one of the most beautiful Baroque interiors anywhere in the world. From the remarkable Biblioteca Joanina and the University quarter to the medieval old town, the Santa Cruz Monastery and the atmospheric coimbra fado tradition, Coimbra offers a depth of Portuguese history and culture that rewards every curious visitor.
Elect's take
"Coimbra has a depth of academic culture and architectural beauty that I find genuinely compelling. The Joanine Library alone is one of the most extraordinary rooms I have entered anywhere in the world and the medieval university quarter creates an atmosphere of remarkable historical resonance."
The Biblioteca Joanina is a masterpiece of Baroque decoration, a three-chambered library of gilded shelves, painted ceilings and inlaid floors that houses over 70000 volumes in a setting of extraordinary beauty. The university itself, founded in 1290 and one of the oldest in the world, occupies a beautiful hilltop campus above the old city. The Monastery of Santa Cruz in the lower town contains the tombs of Portugal's first two kings. The old city of Alta provides excellent restaurants and bars. Coimbra fado, distinct in style from the Lisbon tradition, is performed in the city's fado houses with a beautiful melancholy entirely its own. Conimbriga, one of Portugal's most important Roman sites, is 16 kilometres south.
Best time to visit
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What to expect
Biblioteca Joanina
One of the world's most beautiful Baroque library interiors with gilded shelves and painted ceilings.
University of Coimbra
One of the oldest universities in Europe on a beautiful hilltop UNESCO World Heritage campus.
Coimbra Fado
A distinct and melancholic fado tradition performed by university students in traditional capes.
Santa Cruz Monastery
A magnificent Manueline monastery housing the tombs of Portugal's first kings.
Conimbriga
One of Portugal's most important Roman sites with outstanding mosaics 16 km south.
University Traditions
A living tradition of academic culture, capes, serenades and ancient ceremonial rituals.
