Coimbra, Portugal: A Budget-Friendly Day Trip

Discover the historic beauty of Coimbra without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Coimbra, Portugal offers plenty of budget-friendly options for travelers. Tour the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe, for only €2. Explore the historic city center, with its cobblestone streets and charming cafes, on foot. Situated on the Mondego River, Coimbra also offers affordable boat tours for a unique perspective of the city.

Day trip plan

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Day

Exploring Coimbra

  • Start your day at the iconic Biblioteca Joanina to marvel at the stunning Baroque architecture and impressive collection of books.
  • Wander through the historic streets of the city center to admire the charming buildings and colorful tiles that Coimbra is famous for.
  • Visit the Sé Velha, an impressive 12th-century Romanesque cathedral with a rich history.
  • Head to the quaint neighborhood of Praça da República and grab a bite to eat at one of the many traditional restaurants serving delicious Portuguese cuisine.
  • After lunch, take a stroll through the beautiful Jardim Botânico, the oldest botanical garden in Portugal.
  • End your day at the top of the hill, where you can visit the University of Coimbra and take in stunning views of the city from the Botanical Garden Terrace.
  • Bonus: Don't forget to try some of Coimbra's famous specialty dishes, such as leitão (roast pig) and chanfana (goat stew).

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.

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