Coimbra Itinerary: One Day Trip + How to Get There

I recently found out that Coimbra has been listed in The New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2025”. It is on the 11th spot. And I have to agree. Coimbra is an excellent travel destination because it is a charming medieval city with many things to do.

And it is easy to get to Coimbra. The city is only 1.5 hour south of Porto and is connected by the railway and bus networks, making it very easy and simple for independent solo travellers.

So, if you want to explore one of the oldest cities in Europe, follow my Coimbra guide and learn how you can travel to Coimbra and all the things you can see in one day.

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Best Time to Visit Coimbra Portugal

You can visit Coimbra throughout the year. It is warm in summer, snowy in winter and comfortably mild in spring and fall. 

However, shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are better because of the milder temperature, lower prices and the city is less crowded.

Coimbra Festivals & Events

Besides considering the weather, plan your visit to Coimbra with these exciting festivals and events:

• Queima das Fitas or Burning of the Ribbons (first Friday of May for 8 days) – one of the oldest and most famous students festivals which includes fado singing and parties
• Semana Santa or Holy Week (Easter) – ceremonies and processions 
• International Jazz Festival (June) – weekend of live music and partying all over the city
• Coimbra Arts Festival (Summer) – art exhibitions, cinema screenings, plays, and fado concerts

How to get to Coimbra Portugal

If you are only spending one day in Coimbra, you could be coming from Porto, Aveiro or other places in Northern or Central Portugal. Which means the easiest and cheapest way to travel to Coimbra is by taking the urban train.

FYI – Coimbra has two train stations: Coimbra (closer to town) and Coimbra-B (north of Coimbra Station). However, construction is underway around Coimbra Station, and train service between the two stations has been suspended as of January 12, 2025.

For now, there is a free shuttle bus (every 10 minutes or so) between the two train stations. You can find the bus stop by following the signs. At Coimbra-B Station, the bus stop is near the south exit. And near Coimbra Station, the bus stop is in front of Hotel Montego on Av. Fernão de Magalhães.

Coimbra Itinerary Summary & Map

Coimbra is a compact and hilly city where you can see everything in the city in one day. Here is a quick summary of all the things you will see:

1. Igreja de Santa Cruz
2. Coimbra Pedestrian Street or Rua Ferreira Borges 
3. Porta e Torre de Almedina
4. Sé Velha de Coimbra
5. Universidade de Coimbra
6. Aquaduto de São Sebastião 
7. Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra
8. Couraça de Lisboa
9. Ponte de Santa Clara
10. Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
11. Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova
12. Largo da Portagem

Below is an interactive map with all the highlights for my Coimbra itinerary. Red pins are all the must-see attractions in Coimbra that are part of the one-day itinerary, blue pins are other things to see if you have more time, burgundy pins are all the places to eat and yellow pins are accommodations if you decide to stay overnight.

What to Do in Coimbra for a Day

1. Igreja de Santa Cruz

When you get off the shuttle bus, walk east through a maze of small streets and arrive at Igreja de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Church). This is the perfect spot to start the day trip.

Founded in 1131, the monastery is the resting place for two historical figures, the first two kings of Portugal, Afonso Henriques and Sancho I. Not much of the original early Romanques monastery remained. The current church is part of many restorations which followed the Portuguese Gothic style.

But what is impressive is the interior of the monastery. There are Baroque tile panels which is made with azulejo, the blue and white glazed tiles, lining both sides of the church telling the story of Portugal’s history. Also take note of the complex organ and the Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) architectural-style cloister.

If you haven’t had your morning coffee yet, go next door to Cafe Santa Cruz. Also get a Pastél de Santa Clara if you like sweet treats.

Address: Praça 8 de Maio, Coimbra | Hours: 9:30am-4:30pm | Admission: free for church; €4 for monastery and cloisters

2. Coimbra Pedestrian Street or Rua Ferreira Borges 

From the monastery, walk south on the pedestrian street. This street is called Rua Ferreira Borges and it starts from Praça 8 de Maio to Largo da Portagem. There are shops, cafes and restaurants on both sides of the street. And you can find sculptures, art murals and colourful buildings in the area as well.

Walk part of the main pedestrian street for now. You will return to this street at the end of the day so you can pick up souvenirs, have a coffee or a gelato.

3. Porta e Torre de Almedina

From the pedestrian street, turn left and walk past Porta de Barbacã and continue to walk up the cobbblestone alley until you see Porta e Torre de Almedina (Almedina Gate and Tower).

The Almedina Gate is the remaining entrance gate to the original city of Coimbra that was built in the 11th century and one of the last examples of Moorish architecture in the city. It is the only surviving door of the three doors that open towards the citadel.

4. Sé Velha de Coimbra

Continue walking up and you will see Sé Velha de Coimbra (Old Cathedral of Coimbra), one of the most well-known churches in Coimbra.

The 12th-century Portuguese Romanesque cathedral is known as the first church in Coimbra. From the outside, it looks like a small fortress because of the crenellated walls and narrow windows. And on the inside, many architectural elements have remained in their original state.

Highlights of the cathedral include the Renaissance-style portal on the northern facade, gilded Gothic altarpiece and the Gothic cloisters.

Address: Largo da Sé Velha, Coimbra | Hours: 10am-5:30pm | Admission: €2.50

5. Universidade de Coimbra

The Universidade de Coimbra (University of Coimbra) was founded on March 1, 1290, by King D. Dinis. It is one of the oldest in Europe and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.

It was formerly a royal residence. But today, it is a university campus with over 20,000 students with 80 different nationalities studying at the university.

And the University is one of the best attractions in Coimbra. You can wander around Coimbra University and see historical buildings, churches, Clock Tower (€2 for the top floor) and botanical garden for free or small fee.

However, I highly recommend seeing some of the paid attractions. There are two combination tickets that you might be interested. I also included the description for each attraction below.

• Joanina Library + University + Science Museum for €16.5
• University + Science Museum for €12.5

Baroque Library

• Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library) – the famed Baroque library has over 40,000 books and was first commissioned in 1717 by King João V (hence “Joanine”). Look for the three painted ceilings with optical illusion and the portrait of King João V. Limited to 50 people every 20 minutes.

University

• The Royal Palace – including the Armory, Sala dos Capelos (Great Hall of Acts) and the Private Examination Room
• Capela of São Miguel (St Michael’s Chapel) – the 16th-century ornate chapel is covered with tiles and gold leaf. It has a Baroque pipe organ and a Mannerist altarpiece.

Science Museum

• Chemistry Lab – see the permanent displays of 18th and 19th century scientific instruments
• Cabinet of Curiosities – see unusual and bizarre objects without any captions
• Academic Museum – see the preservation of the heritage of the University
• Physics Cabinet – see thousands of instruments and old books on display

Address: 3004-531 Coimbra | Hours: 10am-7pm | Admission: free generally and €12.5 and €16.5 for paid attractions

6 & 7. Aquaduto de São Sebastião & Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra

Part of Aquaduto de São Sebastião (Sao Sebastiao Aqueduct) was from ancient Roman times, and the new part was added in the 16th century so water could be supplied to the upper town. The entire structure stretches over 1km, has 21 arches, and has been listed as a National Monument since 1910.

Next to the ancient aqueduct is the Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra (Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra). The garden has more than 13 hectares of green spaces, including a unique floral collection to educate and promote biodiversity conservation. And there are fountains, greenhouses for tropical plants and even a bamboo forest.

Address: CC Martim de Freitas, Coimbra | Hours: 9am-8pm

8. Couraça de Lisboa

From the botanical garden, take the north exit to Rua Arco da Traição. Keep walking west and the street will merge with Couraça de Lisboa, a very hilly cobblestone street with houses on one side and an expansive view on the other.

In my opinion, Couraça de Lisboa is the most scenic street in Coimbra. The views from this hilly street is one of the best in the city. You can see a panoramic view of Coimbra and Montego River and Ponte de Santa Clara. So take your time walking down this road and enjoy the views.

9. Ponte de Santa Clara

Next, walk across Ponte de Santa Clara (Santa Clara Bridge). The bridge itself is nothing special but when you turn around, you can see an excellent view of the hilly city of Coimbra.

Cross over the Mondego River and take a look at the city again. There are trees lining the river where you can take a breather from the scorching sun. And lots of people like this spot for photos too.

10. Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha

There are two St Clare Monasteries on the left bank (south) of Mondego River.

Built in the 14th century, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha (Old St Clare Monastery) was the resting place for Queen Isabel of Aragon, the patron saint of Coimbra. Over time, frequent flooding caused irreparable damages throughout the church. Which lead to the construction of Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova (New St Clare Monastery) nearby.

In 1995, the Old Monastery was declared as a National Monument and restoration started and continued until 2008. Then the Centro de Interpretação de Santa Clara-a-Velha opened the following year.

Today, you can see the ruins and deteriorated Old Church and learn about the church’s archeological history at the modern museum.

FYI – If you have time, you could see Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova. It is a 10-minute hike up the hill. I left it out of the itinerary because they close at 6pm and the itinerary is already quite full. So depending on your pace, you may be able to see the New St Clare Monastery.

Address: R. Parreiras, 3040-266 Coimbra | Hours: 10am-7pm; closed Mondays | Admission: €4

11. Largo da Portagem

And finally, return to the town centre of Coimbra and soak in the atmosphere before you leave.

First walk over to Largo da Portagem, which is at the south end of the pedestrian street. There are shops, cafes, sculptures and colourful murals including the “Manifestações Estudantis e Música de Intervenção/Música de Abril” mural.

Also walk over to Praça do Comércio and see another square before walking back to the bus stop to catch the next shuttle bus to Coimbra-B Station.

Other Things to See in Coimbra Portugal

There are other things to do in Coimbra besides the attractions mentioned in the itinerary. If you are staying longer than a day or want to switch up the itinerary, here are a few more things to see (see blue pins on map):

1. Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova (8:30am-6pm; €6) – visit the tomb of Queen Isabel of Aragon in the New St Clare Monastery if you have time after visiting the Old St Clare Monastery.
2. Portugal dos Pequenitos (10am-7pm; €14.95) – the first miniature theme park in Portugal that is suitable for all ages.
3. National Museum Machado de Castro (10am-6pm; closed Mondays; €10) – an art museum that has collection of 11th to 18th centuries sculptures, paintings, religious artifacts found around Coimbra.
4. Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V (6-2am; free) – a large three-storey indoor market that is over 150 years old. This is where locals buy fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, bread and pastries.

Where to stay in Coimbra as a Solo Traveller

If you are coming from Porto, Aveiro or other places in Northern or Central Portugal, you could take the train to Coimbra early in the morning and return home in the evening.

But if you are visiting from Lisbon or other places that require longer train or bus travel, consider staying overnight so you don’t rush through Coimbra.

I’ve stayed in an Airbnb outside of the city centre and I don’t recommend it. If I have to do Coimbra all over again, here are two places I would stay (see yellow pins on map):

• Zero Box Lodge Coimbra – a more budget-friendly hotel with interesting wooden “box-like” guest rooms and the hotel faces the Mondego River. Check rates and review on Agoda and Booking.
• Sapientia Boutique Hotel – the modern boutique hotel next to University of Coimbra. Guest rooms, common areas and garden look really chic. Check rates and review on Agoda and Booking.

What to eat in Coimbra

There are a handful of unique food that you can find in Coimbra. One of the highlights include conventual sweets (desserts originated from 15th century convents made with sugar and egg yolks). Here’s what to look for in Coimbra:

• Chanfana – hearty goat (or lamb) stew 
• Queijo Rabaçal – semi-hard cheese made with sheep milk and goat milk 
• Cruzio of Santa Cruz – a Coimbra trademark dessert served at Cafe Santa Cruz
• Pastél de Santa Clara – dessert made with thin dough, sugar, butter, eggs and almond filling
• Pastél de Tentugal – created by the Carmelitas nuns of the “Carmelo de Tentúgal”. It is an egg yolk and sugar filling inside a thin and crispy puff pastry.

Where to eat in Coimbra

The majority of cafes and restaurants are located around Largo da Portagem, Praça do Comércio, and along the small streets and alleys west of Largo da Portagem and west of Igreja de Santa Cruz.

Below are some of the places I tried and wished I tried:

• Restaurante Solar do Bacalhau – a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with an extensive menu. They cook Portuguese bacalao (codfish) in many ways. I tried the cod with clams and prawns. Not super expensive for Michelin quality food.
• Restaurante Toca do Gato – I couldn’t find the restaurant (or maybe it was closed). Would’ve like to try their popular Chanfana, chicken stew or pork stew.
• Sandes de Leitão – they only serve one thing: leitão (suckling pig). So delicious!
• Café Santa Cruz – built as part of the church and they are known for their Pastél de Santa Clara. Admire the high-vaulted ceilings while listening to live music on Friday evenings.
• Pastelaria Briosa Coimbra – this pastelerias is very popular, and there’s always a lineup for tourists to buy pastries. I tried a Pastéis de Tentugal and coffee with milk.
• DOPPO Gelataria – they have many unique flavours like saffron in coconut milk, hibiscus tamarind, and ricotta & carmalized fig.

Overview: Planning your Coimbra Itinerary

I hope this itinerary will inspire you to take a trip to Coimbra. It is such a charming town – there are many little cobblestone streets, many pockets in the city where you can see views of Coimbra and the people are super friendly and nice. Even though it is known as a university town, there are still so many things to see in Coimbra that you shouldn’t miss.

Let me know in the comments if this post is helpful for you to plan your own itinerary or if you have any questions.

Ready to plan your trip to Coimbra? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Coimbra accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination.
* Join tours: check Get Your Guide for the best tours around Coimbra.

Thank you for reading my solo Coimbra 1 day itinerary

I have many posts on Portugal, and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Portugal:

• Portugal solo travel itinerary: 2 weeks in Portugal by train

Lisbon region posts

• Lisbon solo travel guide for first-timers
• Is the Lisboa Card worth it?
• Best day trips from Lisbon Portugal

Northern Portugal posts

• 2 days in Porto: things to do alone in Porto
• Porto Food Guide: what and where to eat in Porto
• 7 excellent day trips from Porto
• Day trip to Guimarães from Porto: 1-day itinerary
• Day trip from Porto to Espinho: 1-day itinerary

Central Portugal posts

• Aveiro day trip from Porto: 1-day itinerary

Algarve posts

• Algarve solo travel guide: 13 best places
• 20 best things to do in Albufeira for solo travellers
• Loule itinerary: best things to do in one day
• Vilamoura and Quarteira: 1-day itinerary

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!