This month of August you can enjoy the city of Coimbra and all it has to offer and have an all-inclusive summer. Culture, Art, Music, Sport and Beach. Here we leave some top suggestions for a great August in Coimbra, with activities for all tastes.
Nature Activities
If you’re looking for beach, pool or nature, the city of Coimbra has it all to offer. The river beaches of Rebolim and Palheiros e Zorro allow you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mondego River. The Rebolim River Beach has sanitary facilities and a picnic area. The River Beach of Palheiros e Zorro stands out for the infrastructures, bar, picnic area, children’s playground and changing rooms.
If your plans include a trip to the pool you need to visit Mondego Pools (contact: 916 858 186) and you can also enjoy the restaurant in the pool complex. The pools are part of Mondego Green Park, where you can enjoy a walk along the banks of Rio Mondego, take a ride on Barca Serrana do Mondego and have a drink at the Docks. Near the Docks you’ll find the Manuel Braga Park where you can visit the Museu da Água. The Quinta das Lágrimas Garden tells the tragic Story between D. Pedro and Dona Inês de Castro and is one of the most emblematic places in Coimbra. 
If you are looking for a sports and nature experience you can try Stand Up Padle (contact: 910 170 270) in the Nautical Center of Parque Verde do Choupalinho or the Mondego River descent. One of the routes takes about three hours, starts in Penacova and ends in the River Beach of Palheiros e Zorro. The second route ends in Coimbra with unique views of the historical area, this route is about five hours long.
Activities for kids and family
Even thought it´s Summer, Coimbra has a number of activities for children and young people.
One of the main atractions is the “Portugal dos Pequenitos” which is always a great family program, with some activities that can be done together.
The Interactive Sciences Center promotes activities for children from 6 to 12 years old, “Aventuras lá fora no Parque Verde” from 9am to 6pm.
The Botanical Garden will hold summer workshops – Oficinas de Verão Re/Forma, for children 6 to 12 years old (interrupts from 1 to 15 August) where Sciense and Nature will be hand in hand with Art, from 9am to 17:30pm. The Music Academy of Coimbra is teaching summer courses from 9am to 18pm (contact: 960 374 922).
Coimbra City Hall (contact: 239 857 500) is promoting activities for children from 3 to 12 years old, together with Coimbra Municipal Museum and Contemporary Art Center of Coimbra.
A fun plan for the whole family is visiting the Science Museum in the Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Coimbra and particularly the Cabinet of Curiosities. Inside the Science Museum you can also visit the Zoology Gallery. This visit to the main pole of the University, also allows you to feel the academic environment of this area.
Young people and teenagers can get involved in volunteer work during the summer, managed by the Portuguese Youth Institute of Coimbra (contact: 239 790 600).
Cultural Program
Quebra Jazz – 13th Festival of the Arts Quebra Jazz 
With a hefty program, counts with the participation of several artists. Many of the shows are free of charge, while others you have to book your ticket through the festival´s website.
“Summer Nights” at Downtown
Throughout the summer months, several activities will pass through downtown Coimbra that will liven up the summer nights. In a logic of diversity, dynamism and inclusion with music and activities for all tastes.
National Museum of Machado de Castro is a landmark in the city and has exhibitions throughout the summer, a view on the work of Jesuits “A Companhia de Jesus. Evangelização e Ciência” from 08/07 to 25/09 and “A Radiografia de um Tempo. Bernardo Manuel, Pintor” until day 02/10.
CAV Center of Visual Arts has exhibitions going on all summer. The Central Wing of the Inquisition Building, until 31/12/2022, will be featuring a very important exhibition for the city of Coimbra about the Jewish presence in Coimbra “Judeus de Coimbra| Da Tolerância À Perseguição| Memórias e Materialidades”. This is an important place, because here was the Court of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, in times of persecution and death of the Jewish people.
The Monastery of Santa-Clara-a-Velha features an exhibition “A Verdade Dói”, an exhibition-installation about 28 women who suffered domestic violence.
The Convent of Saint Francis features art installations throughout the summer, as does the Contemporary Art Centre.
Museums and Historical Places
Other places you can visit that are open all summer are Coimbra Municipal Museum, Monastery of Santa-Clara-a-Nova, Joanina Library with a tour to the Academic Prison, Tower of the University and have lunch or dinner in Alta de Coimbra. The Museum of Santa Casa da Misericórdia, or spend an afternoon in the Botanical Garden and take the opportunity to visit the Museums of the University of Coimbra.
For more information about Coimbra visit our Blog.
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