Visit Coimbra between Lisbon and Porto

Despite Lisbon and Oporto being the largest and most well known cities of Portugal, there is a whole country to discover between them. Coimbra is a must see not only for the location but also for its rich historical heritage, lively atmosphere and poetic soul!

Coimbra is specially known as the city of the students because of its long term relationship with the university, dating from 726 years ago. The university of Coimbra was recently recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.

The University of Coimbra

The ascent to the University Tower, A Cabra, is mandatory. From there you’ll find an amazing overview of the whole city, where the Mondego river dominates the landscape. Another highlight it’s the Joanina Library from the XVIII century, where at night the books are kept and maintained by bats that eat insects.

But Coimbra is not only knowledge … it is also love. It was here that the forbidden love of D. Pedro (once King of Portugal) and D. Inês de Castro took place, more precisely at the Quinta das Lágrimas and its gardens. Besides tragic, it was a passionate love story that can’t leave no one indifferent.

Quinta das Lágrimas Gardens

The historical past of the city is transpires through any famous monuments: the Santa Clara Convent, the Old and the New Cathedral, Almedina Arch and Gate, Santa Cruz church, São Francisco Convent, among others.

While visiting all this monuments you can taste some of the typical pastries of Coimbra like: Arrufada, Santa Clara Pastels, Barrigas de freira, Crúzios, Queijadas e Pasteis de Tentúgal.

Enjoy a Cruzio at Cafe Santa Cruz!

How to visit Coimbra between Lisbon and Porto? It is quite convenient…

Between Lisbon and Coimbra, by car, you have two main options: the motorway A1 and A8. If you follow the A1, considered the most direct option, you can stop in Fatima and visit the Sanctuary. If you choose the A8, make a break and visit the beautiful castle of Obidos or check the beautiful beaches of Nazaré (Leiria district) and Figueira da Foz (Coimbra district). Approximate journey time without stops: 2 hours.

Between Porto and Coimbra, use the A1, you can stop at Aveiro and taste the famous Ovos Moles or stop at Mealhada and have Leitão for lunch. Approximate journey time without stops: 1h.

If you prefer public transportation you can travel either by train or bus.

The main train station in Lisbon is Oriente, where you can find trains to the main station in Coimbra, Coimbra-B, from here you can get a cheap taxi or a free connection to Coimbra’s central station, Coimbra A. Approximate journey time: 2h. If you choose the Bus Network, Lisbon station is called Sete Rios, there you can find direct buses to Coimbra. Approximate journey time: 2:20

In Porto, the main train station is Campanhã. Approximate journey time: 1h

The bus station is at Rua Alexandre Herculano, right in the City Centre. Approximate travel time: 1h30.

Hotel Oslo is located 100 meters (2 min) from the train station Coimbra – A and 600 meters (8min) from the Bus Station in Coimbra.

Challenge yourself to experience Coimbra, the largest city in Portugal central region, and to discover all the secrets of the way between Lisbon and Porto.