Romance & Culture in Coimbra: A Day Trip Guide

Discover the enchanting beauty of Coimbra and fall in love all over again.

22 April 2023

Coimbra offers couples an enchanting city steeped in culture and history. From exploring the ancient University of Coimbra, to strolling through the charming old town and indulging in delicious Portuguese cuisine, Coimbra is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Mondego River and soak in the beauty of this picturesque city.

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Day trip plan

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Day

Exploring Coimbra

  • Start your day with a visit to the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.
  • Visit Biblioteca Joanina, the Baroque library that will leave you speechless with its stunning frescoes, gold-plated bookcases and ornate ceilings.
  • Take a stroll around the historic center of the city, admiring the picturesque architecture of the medieval cathedrals, churches and monasteries.
  • Head to the Jardim Botânico for a romantic picnic surrounded by blooming flora and fauna.
  • For dinner, head to A Cozinha da Maria, an intimate restaurant situated in a charming alleyway. Indulge in delicacies like roasted wild boar, goat cheese pie and vinho verde.
  • End your day with an evening stroll along the river Mondego, watching the sunset as the city lights up.
  • Coimbra may be small, but it's packed with history, culture and gastronomy. This itinerary will delight you and your partner.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The easiest way to get to Coimbra by plane is to fly into Lisbon Portela Airport and then take a direct train to Coimbra-B Station. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and trains run regularly throughout the day. Alternatively, you can fly into Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and then take a bus or train to Coimbra. The journey from Porto takes approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

Car

Driving to Coimbra is easy, as it is well-connected to major highways in Portugal. From Lisbon, take the A1 northbound, while from Porto take the A1 or A29 southbound, depending on your route. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours from Lisbon and 1.5-2.5 hours from Porto, depending on traffic.

Train

Coimbra has one main train station called Coimbra-B, which is well-served by trains from major cities in Portugal. The station is located on the outskirts of the city, but there are regular local buses and taxis available to take you into the city center.

Boat

While there are no direct boat routes to Coimbra, you can take a ferry or a cruise ship to Porto and then travel by bus or train to Coimbra. Alternatively, you can take a river cruise on the Douro River, which passes through Porto and offers stunning views of the region.

Bus

Coimbra has a good bus network connecting it to other cities and towns in Portugal. You can take a bus from Lisbon or Porto to Coimbra, with various companies operating services. The journey from Lisbon takes approximately 2.5-3 hours, while from Porto it takes approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

Destination

Coimbra

If you're looking for a city that merges both medieval and modern vibes while also being home to the world's oldest university, Coimbra is the place for you. Just try not to accidentally enroll yourself in a class on 16th-century poetry.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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