Coimbra is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the former capital of Portugal. It is located roughly three hours away from Lisbon and is accessible by bus or train. Coimbra is the fourth largest city in Portugal, and has been known for centuries now, as a student city. For accommodation, I would recommend the youth hostel in Coimbra, whereas a member of Hostelling International, you get a 10% discount for an overnight stay. The hostel is near the center, which easily allows you to visit the following attractions that I will highlight in this article.
It is one of the oldest universities in Europe and has been under UNESCO protection since 2013. Over the centuries, it spread throughout Coimbra, with the oldest part still open to visitors.
The University has eight faculties, the largest of which is the Faculty of Mathemathics, Medicine and Law, along with four campuses. The university also has a botanical garden, founded in the 18th century by Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo. The garden originally served as a place for practical training for the Faculty of Science and Medicine. Today, it is open to visitors who can cool off in the natural shade and enjoy a stroll through the bamboo or tropical garden in the summer months.
Joanina Library is a Baroque-style library from the 17th century, which at first reminded me of the library at Hogwarts. The library has three floors and is built on top of a former prison. It is home to several bats, which are more than welcome guests at the library. They hunt for moths and other insects that attack old books, helping to preserve this UNESCO heritage.
I paid for the ticket, which I bought directly at their office, across from the Natural History Museum. This later gave me access to the Joanina's Library, the Natural History Museum, the Chapel of Saint Michael and the School Hall (Paço das Escolas).
I got the idea for this from a friend, who visited Coimbra back in 2020. I would recommend from this experience, to book a spot at O pionero do Mondego. Kayaking trips are available every day throughout the year. As a student, you will also get a discount. Transport to the location is included in the price. There is no need for a car, as you can arrange to be picked up in the city centre and dropped back after the ride. They offer two trips, which differ mainly in length, rather than in price. Even if you are not a skilled sportsman, you will not have any problems with a longer ride, as the river is quite calm and also suitable for children.
During my visit in Coimbra, I kept seeing young people dressed in white shirts with a colorful tie, dark pants or skirt and a long black coat. This 500-year-old tradition of young graduates absolutely fascinated me. They also charmed J.K. Rowling, who came up with the idea for school uniforms for the Hogwarts students while visiting. The color of the tie at Hogwarts depend on the house of the student. In this case, they differ according to the faculty you visit as a student of University of Coimbra.
Coimbra is a city I have fond memories of, and it is definitely a place in Portugal I would love to return to.
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