What to do in Coimbra

Activities, attractions and tours

A historic cityscape with a prominent hilltop church, a bridge over a river, and a dense urban area with colorful buildings.
A historic cityscape with a river, a bridge, and a hill with colorful buildings.
A bridge over a river, a town with colorful buildings, and a hill with a tower.
A historic building with a clock tower, a large open plaza, and a sunset in the background.
A river with a bridge, a fountain, and a cityscape with historic buildings.

Coimbra Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Coimbra has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Coimbra is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Coimbra to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Coimbra Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Coimbra.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Coimbra attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour

Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour

CA $8
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour
Barca Serrana - Traditional Boat Trip

Coimbra: Barca Serrana Traditional Boat Trip

CA $21
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Coimbra: Barca Serrana Traditional Boat Trip
Coimbra: Private & Flexible Walking Tour in Historic Center

Coimbra: Personal & Flexible Walking Tour in Historic Center

CA $19
per adult
Coimbra: Personal & Flexible Walking Tour in Historic Center
Coimbra: Adventure, Discovery & Learning with a Local

Coimbra: Adventure, Discovery & Learning with a Local

CA $81
per adult
Coimbra: Adventure, Discovery & Learning with a Local
Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

Coimbra Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour

CA $5
per adult
Coimbra Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour
Jewish Coimbra Tour

Jewish Coimbra Tour

CA $66
per adult
Jewish Coimbra Tour
Coimbra Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

Coimbra Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

CA $16
per adult
Coimbra Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone
Coimbra’s Jewish Heritage An Audio Tour of the Medieval Town

Coimbra’s Jewish Heritage An Audio Tour of the Medieval Town

CA $7
per adult
Coimbra’s Jewish Heritage An Audio Tour of the Medieval Town
Coimbra Walking Tour

Coimbra Walking Tour

CA $48
per adult
Coimbra Walking Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Coimbra University

Dating back more than seven centuries, Coimbra University is the historic highlight of the city’s town center. Its 16th-century campus contains some of the most intriguing landmarks in the region, including a tower, a chapel and a palace. Speak with the docents for a comprehensive understanding of the university’s history.
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A historic building with a clock tower, arched staircases, and a courtyard.

2. Portugal dos Pequenitos

Portugal dos Pequenitos is the Little Portugal area that features tiny versions of the country’s most iconic landmarks. It is a fun and educational facility, where kids can find out about the cornerstones of Portuguese culture. Snap photos of your favorite tiny structures as you recognize these models of famous houses and monuments.
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A model of a white building with arches and a tower, surrounded by a pool and greenery.

3. Old Cathedral of Coimbra

Dating back as far as the 12th century, the majestic Velha Cathedral is a rare example of a preserved church of Romanesque design from the Reconquista era. Admire the fortress-like design of the cathedral’s façade, with its narrow arched windows and battlements marking the roof.
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A historic courtyard with a fountain, surrounded by arched walkways and a prominent castle-like building with a tower.

4. Biblioteca Joanina

The Biblioteca Joanina is a historic hilltop library with stunning Baroque touches. Dating back to the 1700s, the library is one of the highlights of Coimbra University’s campus and offers wonderful views of the surrounding Old Town area. Snap photos of this marvelous structure and admire its ornate décor and grandiose features.
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A grand library with ornate bookshelves, a red carpet, and a central ornate archway.

5. Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha

The Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha includes the well-preserved Gothic ruins of a 14th-century monastery. It contains a visitor center with exhibits that explain the intriguing archaeological traces and architectural designs of the convent. Piece together the history of this nunnery with a tour of the vestiges that remain.
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An ancient stone church with a red-tiled roof and a bell tower, surrounded by ruins and a river in the background.

6. Santa Cruz Church

Santa Cruz Church is a stunning structure in which Portugal’s first two kings are buried. It comprises a vast monastery with an elaborate façade, a labyrinth of paths and courtyards and a rich history that dates back to the 12th century. Relax in the city’s spacious central plaza and gaze up at the Manueline façade of this momentous church.
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A historic building with intricate stone carvings and a large arched entrance.

Recommended things to do in Coimbra

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Coimbra

Stay near popular Coimbra attractions

A historic building with a clock tower, arched staircases, and a courtyard.

Coimbra University

9.4/10 (734 reviews)
Enjoy the views from the bell tower and visit the Baroque library in the former prison on the campus of one of Europe’s oldest universities.
See properties

Where to stay in Coimbra

Find the best Coimbra areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Coimbra
Learn more about Coimbra
A historic building with a dome and a statue on top, surrounded by red-tiled roofs and a river in the background.

Coimbra City Centre

Historic sites, river views, and bars are some highlights of Coimbra City Centre. Make a stop by Santa Cruz Church or Old Cathedral of Coimbra while you're exploring.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Coimbra

A vast agricultural landscape with terraced fields and a line of trees in the distance.

Mealhada

A river with a grassy bank and trees on one side.

Penacova

A bridge over water with a cityscape in the background.

Cantanhede

A stone castle ruin with a view of a green field and distant houses.

Montemor-o-Velho

Frequently asked questions

Is Coimbra worth visiting?
Famous for its bars and pubs and shopping, discovering cool things to do in Coimbra is easy. Remember to add New Cathedral of Coimbra to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Coimbra?
Start your adventures with a visit to PO.RO.S - Portugal Roman Museum in Sicó and Casa Museu Fernando Namora. Then, explore other areas of Coimbra for local restaurants and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Coimbra?
The top tourist attraction in Coimbra is New Cathedral of Coimbra, so be sure to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Coimbra?
Three days in Coimbra is enough to enjoy the city's main attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. New Cathedral of Coimbra, Museu Nacional Machado de Castro and Casa Museu Bissaya Barreto are highly rated sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots like Figueira da Foz.
Is Coimbra a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Coimbra is a good destination to experience on foot. Have fun wandering between New Cathedral of Coimbra and Museu Nacional Machado de Castro. Then take a stroll around Sé Nova, Santa Cruz, Almedina e São Bartolomeu, located 0.32 kilometres from the centre, and Coimbra City Centre, which is about 0.16 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Coimbra with kids?
If you're searching for activities and sights for all of your group, take a look at these fantastic ideas for what to do in Coimbra with kids.
What to do in Coimbra for adults?
Museu de Conimbriga and Sister Lucia's Memorial are just a couple of the things to do in Coimbra. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Coimbra?
From visiting parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's simple to find free things to do in Coimbra. If you need new ideas, get some tips from a local tour guide. New Cathedral of Coimbra is a top spot for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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