CONGRESS PACKPlaces to visit | Hotels | Restaurants | Pubs

Main places to visit in Coimbra

University of Coimbra

It’s one of the oldest Universities in Europe. Founded in Lisbon in 1290it was definitely transferred to Coimbra in 1537, being installed in theRoyal Palace. In this place the Romans must have built the pretorium,which proves its strategic and military importance. Later it wouldbecome the place of the Arab fortress, whose shape was very similar tothe current one. The Paço das Escolas, usually known as Pátio daUniversidade (Patio of the University), is still making History nowadays.In there we can see the Baroque Library, Saint Michael’s Chapel, theTower of the University, the Via Latina, the Old Saint Peter’s Collegeand the Porta Férrea, guarded by an halberdier at least since 1634!

Baroque Library (Biblioteca Joanina)

In Baroque Style it was built in 1717 during the reign of King John V.Really magnificent it is a work clearly connected with the PortugueseEmpire of that period. Brazilian and oriental exotic woods, delicatepaintings, wonderful golden shelves and the majestic portrait of KingJohn V painted by Domenico Duprá, definitely catch our eye.

The main stocks of old books are stored in this library. It comprises anarea of 1.250 m2 filled with remarkable books all dating till 1800.

Info adapted from visitportugal.com & visitcentrodeportugal.com

Patio of the Inquisition

In Coimbra Patio of the Inquisition owes its name to the historicaland architectural valuable buildings where Inquisition Court hadits headquarters after 1548. The jails can now be seen throughthe thick glasses they have as ceiling. The team led by thearchitects João Mendes Ribeiro and Teresa Alfaiate has rebuiltthe building under the essential motto of transparency so as tomake the connection between past and present times.

Mondego Green ParkSituated in Coimbra, by the river, it was planned by the architect Camilo Cortesão. It’s the idealspot to sunbathe, walk, take the kids out, eat, listen to the music, read, or just to date...

Monastery of Santa CruzFounded in 1131 by the Regular Canons of SaintAugustin, the Monastery of Santa Cruz is definitely amilestone as far as the consolidation of Portugueseidentity is concerned. It was also crucial for assuringCoimbra’s importance during the First PortugueseDinasty. Today it is a National Pantheon where the tombsof King D. Afonso Henriques, 1st King of Portugal (b.Coimbra 1109 – d. Coimbra 1185) and of his son, King D.Sancho I, can be found.

Main places to visit in Coimbra

Info adapted from visitportugal.com & visitcentrodeportugal.com

Monastery of Santa Clara-a-VelhaQueen Saint Isabel ordered the construction of Convent ofSanta Clara-a-Velha, located on the left bank of theMondego River. Its construction began in 1286, under thesupervision of Master Domingos Domingues. Occupied bythe nuns, the Monastery was sacred in 1330 but it wouldsoon be damaged by Mondego floods. Queen Isabel ofAragon rests here since 1336, when the Monastery wasstill a shelter for pilgrims who were on their way toantiago de Compostela. However, in 1667 the Monasterywould be definitely abandoned due to Mondego floods.Santa Clara-a-Velha is still today the most importantmonument to study Gothic style in Portugal.

Isabel of Aragon, the Saint QueenIn the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova one can visit the tomb of Queen Isabel of Aragon,the Patroness Saint of Coimbra. It was sculpted in 1330 by Master Pêro on a single block oflimestone! The representation of St. James, which can be found in one of the niches, aswell as the pilgrim’s stick and the purse of alms, sculpted on the lying statue, witness herrole of Pilgrim to Santiago de Compostela.

Inês de CastroInês lived in the Palace of the Convent of SantaClara-a-Velha, where she received the loveletters Pedro wrote. Legend has it that he usedto send her his love letters through a small pipecarried away by the waters from Quinta doPombal springs – today Quinta das Lágrimas –

Main places to visit in Coimbra

Info adapted from visitportugal.com & visitcentrodeportugal.com

to the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha. The tense relations between Portugal andCastile Kingdoms would lead to a really tragic end of this eternal love story.

(some) Hotels | Hostels

Pictures taken from the internet

Hotel Dona Inês ***

Downtown Coimbra | Nearby train / bus stations

website | Tel: +351 239 855 800

Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas ****

South side Coimbra | Small luxury hotel

website | Tel: +351 239 802 380

Hotel Astoria ***

Downtown Coimbra | Vintage hotel

website | Tel: +351 239 853 020

Hostel : Riversuites

website | Tel: +351 239 440 582

Hotel Vila Galé Coimbra ****

website | Tel: +351 239 240 000

Downtown Coimbra | Nearby train / bus stations

Hostel : The Luggage

website | Tel: +351 239 820 257

Hostel : Serenata

website | Tel: +351 239 853 130

South side Coimbra | Good location Central Coimbra | Excellent location Central Coimbra | University area

(some) Hotels | Hostels

Ibis Coimbra Centro **

Downtown Coimbra | Riverside / near City Park

website | Tel: +351 239 852 130

Hotel Botânico Coimbra **

Upper Coimbra | Nearby University

website | Tel: +351 239 405 124

Hotel Vitória **

website | Tel: +351 239 824 049

Downtown Coimbra | Nearby train / bus stations

Hotel Oslo ***

Downtown Coimbra | Good location for tourism

website | Tel: +351 239 829 071

Hostel : Coimbra Portagem

website | Tel: +351 917 569 143

Hostel : Five Senses

website | Tel: +351 239094135

Coimbra Youth Hostel

website | Tel: +351 239 829 228

DowntownCoimbra | Good location Downtown Coimbra | Nearby train / bus stations Central Coimbra | Excellent location

Pictures taken from the internet

Fangas Mercearia Bar

Just Portuguese products / Tapas, good wines / Nice atmosphere

Average price (with wine): 12€

Buffet, very good food

Jardim da Manga

Average price (with wine): 10€

Average price (with wine): 20€

Zé Neto Zé Manel dos Ossos

Average price (with wine): 20€

Typical Portuguese foodCosy, family atmosphere

Some places to eat & drink

Typical Portuguese foodCosy, family atmosphere

Tapas | Excellent food and atmosphere

DUX - Taberna Urbana

Average price (with wine): 15€

Itália

Average price (with wine): 20€

Typical Italian foodRiverside, amazing view

Pictures taken from the internet

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A Cozinha da Maria

Average price (with wine): 15€

Typical Portuguese food / Nice atmosphere

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Average price (with beer): 12€

Hamburgaria Maneirista Tapas nas CostasAverage price (with wine): 15-18€

Café AtenasAverage price (with wine): 10€

A Taberna

Average price (with wine): 25€

Average price (with wine): 15-16€

O Serenata

Some places to eat & drink

Casa das Caldeiras

Average price (with beer): 15€

Pictures taken from the internet

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Beautiful place, downtown, may have fado in the evening

Café Santa Cruz

Fado ao CentroPrice (Live Fado show, with Porto wine included): 10€

À CapellaPrice (Live Fado show):10€

Last show usually at 18h | Reservation suggested First show usually at 21h | Reservation suggested

Passaporte - Lounge Terrace

Beautiful place, uptown, amazing views!

Some places to eat & drink

Pictures taken from the internet

Tropical

Académico

Cartola

ODD

The Murphy's Irish Pub

Aqui Base TangoPraç

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Rep

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Other places to have a drink in the evening

Riv

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Health

Coimbra General Hospital (Covões): 239 800 100

Coimbra University Hospital: 239 400 400 / 239 400 600

Police

PSP / Command: 239 851 300 (www.psp.pt )

GNR Coimbra: 239 794 300 (www.gnr.pt )

Credit Cards

American Express: 707 50 40 50 / 21 427 82 05

Mastercard: 800 811 272

Visa: 800 811 107

Airports

ANA- Portuguese airport authority/ provides departures

and arrival information:

www.ana.pt

Faro Airport: 289 800 800

Oporto Airport: 22 943 24 00

Lisbon Airport : 21 841 35 00 / 21 841 37 00

Transports

Information on Transports: www.transpor.pt

Taxis in Coimbra: 239 499090

CP- Comboios de Portugal (Portuguese Train):808

208 208 / Web: www.cp.pt

Sata (Portuguese airline): 707 227 282 / Web:

www.sata.pt

Tap-Portugal (Country’s “flagship” airline):707 205

700 / Web: www.tap.pt

Rede-Expressos (National Coach company): 707 223

344 / Web: www.rede-expressos.pt

Other Services

CTT- Post Office: 707 26 26 26

SEF-Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Border

and Immigration Service):808 202 653

Web: www.sef.pt

Useful contacts National Emergency Number: 112

Some places to eat & drink

Pictures taken from the internet