Things to Do in Coimbra: A Portugal City Worth Visiting

Updated: September 28, 2026

The beautifully preserved medieval city of Coimbra, Portugal, was once the country’s capital before Lisbon took over. Coimbra is known for its university, which is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. But the school isn’t what attracted me to this city; I fell for its architecture before I even arrived.

Coimbra has several cool things to do, which I will list below. Hopefully, the photos alone can give you a glimpse of what this place offers. This city is worth visiting, especially if you want to explore towns that tourists don’t overrun.

Many people make a day trip to Coimbra on their way to Porto or Lisbon, which is doable, but I recommend at least one night to experience its charm.

How to Get to Coimbra

Getting to Coimbra is simple; just hop on the Lisbon to Coimbra train. The ride takes less than 2 hours. When visiting Portugal, most people fly into Lisbon or Porto, and Coimbra sits between them and is easy to reach by train. That’s why many stop in Coimbra on their way to either of those big cities.

Click here to choose your Coimbra train tickets. I linked the CP (Comboios de Portugal) website because it is Portugal’s national train operator. I’ve found that booking directly with operators is slightly cheaper than booking through a site like Rail Europe. You can buy tickets up to 60 days in advance. You can also get tickets up to 15 minutes before departure from the station.

If you’re going from Lisbon to Coimbra (our route), make sure you enter “Lisboa” in the from section and “Coimbra” in the to section. You’ll also see “Coimbra B” in the drop-down list, but that’s a bit farther from the city center. You may need to switch trains in Coimbra B, but the “Coimbra” ticket will take you to the center.

If you are visiting Lisbon, check out this post for the ultimate guide to the city.

Where to Stay in Coimbra

We spent 2 nights in Coimbra and stayed right in the heart of the old town at Living Santa Cruz B&B. Update: This little B&B is now closed. So I will link to some other hotels I’d consider based on location and reviews. 

Where to Eat in Coimbra

Tapas nas Costas – An excellent place for tapas.

A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves – Near the train station, I stopped in for something quick. They had savory, croissant-like sandwiches that were much yummier than I expected. Good place for a cheap bite.

Café Santa Cruz – This cafe used to be a church back in the 1500s; the bathrooms were once confessionals. We stopped by for some coffee. My cappuccino was nothing special, but Jorge liked his espresso; it’s a cool place to visit overall.

Weeel Frozen Yogurt – Frozen yogurt near the university, perfect for a warm day.

Passaporte Lounge Terrace – I recommend watching the sunset over the water from this terrace because just look how stunning it is! The drinks were also good and not badly priced.

Things to do in Coimbra

EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN
Plan your own walking tour! Coimbra’s old town is small enough that a self-guided tour will be a breeze. I loved exploring Coimbra’s old town; it was a nice mix of medieval doors and colorful architecture (my fave). Or do a walking tour with an experienced, local guide.

VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA 
Probably the most popular thing to do while in Coimbra. I don’t typically visit universities when I travel, but if it’s a standout, it’s a standout! They have a gorgeous library (it’s covered in gold, and bats live in it). They also have a great terrace with city views—worth a visit, in my opinion. You can walk in and buy tickets on the day. Or do a guided tour of the university. Note: They don’t allow photos of the library. 

The viewpoint of the city from the university’s rooftop:

CAPTURE THE CITY FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES
We were pleasantly surprised to wander into some of the prettiest views in Coimbra. They were all near the Old Town or the bridge, and the one above is from the university. You’ll likely spot these on any walking tour. But this tour focuses on Coimbra’s most beautiful locations. It will take you to discover the most picturesque and traditional streets, lesser-known corners, and places with the best panoramic views.

Will you be adding Coimbra to your Portugal list? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

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