10 essentials: what to see and do in Coimbra in one day

Known as the city ​​of poets and fados, you visit of Coimbra durante a trip through the Central Region of Portugal It will have an eminently cultural character.

In fact, this beautiful Portuguese city is part of the list of World Heritage for the Unesco thanks to its University.

And it is precisely the visit of the University of Coimbra which causes the city to be visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year and is one of the tourist places most visited in Center of Portugal.

However Coimbra It has other corners that are well worth knowing, some linked to the traditions of its historic university.

Well, from the outset you have to know that it is about first university in Portugal, which dates back to the beginning of the 14th century.

The best things to see and do when visiting Coimbra in one day

For plan your visit to Coimbra, below we are going to highlight the best places of interest to see and know.

Although, by tightening your agenda, you could visit Coimbra in one dayI tell you that to make a more complete and calm visit, it is a city for which it is at least worth dedicating two days.

Coimbra historic center

Tu visit of Coimbra will focus on a walk through its historic center, although I tell you that the main area known as High It is located at the top of a hill, and that is where the university buildings.

In that area and on the slope that descends to the lower part of the city, which is located on both banks of the Mondego River, you can also visit some outstanding monuments such as the Old and New cathedrals of Coimbra.

University of Coimbra, World Heritage Site

The protection that has been given by Unesco to University of Coimbra with the aforementioned declaration of Heritage It covers not only the oldest buildings and corners, but also more recent university buildings from up to the 40s.

But you visit of the University of Coimbra must focus on the historic buildings that surround the enormous School Courtyard, the place occupied by the old Royal Palace of Alcácoba.

On that visit you will be able to see corners like the old Royal Palace, St. Michael's Chapel from the 16th century, in the Manueline style, and the Biblioteca Joanina and Saint Peter's College.

La Private Exam Room, the old Throne room and, above all, the impressive Biblioteca Joanina of baroque style built in 1717, are corners that justify the aforementioned declaration of the Unesco.

Here you have all the information for visit the University of Coimbra.

New Cathedral of Coimbra

In the high side, next to the main buildings of the University, is the New Cathedral of Coimbra, a building that was completed in 1640 on the site dedicated to an ancient Jesuit College.

This church became Coimbra Cathedral when the Jesuits were expelled from Portugal, and after a period of abandonment, the Cathedral Chapter It was moved there because the old Romanesque cathedral had become too small.

When you visit the New Cathedral of Coimbra You will be in front of a majestic building with the characteristic architectural style of Jesuit churches.

The white stone takes center stage and its interior highlights its baroque altarpiece.

Old Cathedral of Coimbra

The building of the old cathedral of Coimbra It is one of the best representations of the Romanesque art in Portugal.

Located halfway between the upper area of ​​the University and the Rua Ferreira Borges, one of the pedestrian axes of the historic center, was built in the mid-12th century, during the time of the Reconquest, and it is the only cathedral preserved in Portugal from that period.

Those were the times when Alfonso Henriques he became the first king of Portugal y Coimbra It was declared the capital of the kingdom.

Externally you will see a very robust building, similar to a fortress, and the west façade, the main one, shows you a doorway with archivolts and Romanesque capitals.

At interior of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, with three naves, the robust columns with capitals decorated with plant and animal motifs, but above all you will be struck by the imposing altarpiece of the Main Chapel built in 1498 in flamboyant gothic style.

You should also walk through its cloister where you can see its Romanesque capitals.

What are they and where to see the Republics of Coimbra

When you walk around the university, some of them will catch your attention. residential buildings with facades decorated with paintings and various slogans, in addition to various objects hanging from the balconies and windows.

This is the Republics of Coimbra, a tradition that dates back to the 14th century, when around the university schools it was decided to build various buildings for student accommodation, after payment to the owners.

Since then there has been developing a tradition that in the last century maintains values ​​that define the character of the university spirit, community life and the defense of democracy.

In this way, in 1957 a code of practice was established that makes residents in the republics They have a legal status and a special operation that is specified during community meetings.

In fact, Republics of Coimbra, during the political reforms of the 60s and 70s in Portugal, had a special role.

Old Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra

We have already mentioned that fados have a special connection to Coimbra city, and there are various places where you can listen to them during your stay.

But I want to highlight the cafe located in a chapel of the old church of the Monastery of Santa Cruz.

In this Romanesque building from the 12th century which was heavily renovated at the beginning of the 16th century, a period to which its monumental facade de Manueline style.

The tiled decoration of the interior nave, the sacristy, the 1724th century cloister, the choir and the baroque organ from XNUMX, are corners that are worth visiting.

Listen to fados at the Café Santa Cruz in Coimbra

At Santa Cruz Coffee There is a small stage where In the afternoons and evenings there are fado shows, which makes it a very popular place for tourists.

Portugal of the Little Ones in Coimbra

Finally yes you travel as a family, a visit to be made in Coimbra is Portugal of the Little Ones, a theme park that has recently been renovated, where you can see constructions on a scale of typical houses and monuments from the different regions of the neighboring country.

Map: how to get to Coimbra

The city of Coimbra It is located just over an hour away south of Porto, two hours already north of Lisbon.