Article Portugal’s timeless city of Coimbra

Begin your visit at the university, founded in the 13th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a designation that also includes Rua da Sofia and the upper part of the city. It’s well worth climbing its tower, which houses the bells that signal the start and end of classes, to appreciate the superb 360º view of Coimbra.

There is much to see at ground level, too: the Pátio das Escolas courtyard; the Sala dos Capelos hall, where the most important ceremonies are held; the Chapel of São Miguel and its imposing Baroque organ; and the Joanine Library, which holds more than 300,000 works dating from the 16^th to the 18th centuries, arranged in beautiful, gilt-covered bookcases. These buildings occupy the site of the former Royal Palace, where Portugal’s first kings lived when Coimbra was the capital of the kingdom.

Several monuments from that period showcase the splendor of Romanesque art. In the shopping district and the area of historic cafés in the city center, be sure to visit the Monastery of Santa Cruz, which houses the tomb of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Across the river lies the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, restored after centuries of flooding. Also worth visiting is Sé Velha (the Old Cathedral), where the the traditional serenata — a heartfelt Fado performance by students dressed in black capes — is sung from its steps. This is one of the highlights of Queima das Fita, a colorful celebration held every May by graduating students. You can feel this lively spirit year-round in the city’s many pubs, restaurants, and repúblicas (student residences), vibrant examples of communal student life.

There’s much more to explore! The Machado de Castro National Museum features the Roman Cryptoporticus and a collection of great historical and artistic value. Don’t miss the city’s beautiful gardens, such as Choupal, the romantic Quinta das Lágrimas — the setting of the tragic love story of D. Pedro and Inês de Castro — and the lush Botanical Gardens. Children (of all ages) will love Portugal dos Pequenitos, a fun park featuring scaled-down replicas of Portugal’s most iconic monuments.

Coimbra is not only about tradition; it also embraces modernity, with striking architecture such as the University’s Campus II, the Pedro and Inês footbridge, and the Centro de Portugal Pavilion in the Parque Verde do Mondego. For a different perspective of the city, a boat trip on the Mondego River is highly recommended.

As a traditional Fado song goes, “Coimbra has more charm at the time of farewell” — but you may not want to wait that long to discover it for yourself!