University in Coimbra- White building with brown stone accent and red tile roof

How to Day Trip to Coimbra From Lisbon and Why it’s Worth It

I love day trips. It allows me to see interesting places without having to lug my things around to a new location. A day trip to Coimbra is a perfect option from Lisbon (or Porto). It’s also easy to make a stopover on your way between the two major cities.

This post will cover getting to Coimbra and what to see when you’re there. Plus, my thoughts about if it’s worth it to visit Coimbra.

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Is Coimbra worth a visit?

Coimbra’s origins date back to the Roman Empire. Some of the sites in the city are from this era in its history. In the 1300s Portugal’s only university moved to Coimbra. So, the University of Coimbra is the oldest educational institution in Portugal. Some claim it is the oldest, in Europe. The university is a UNESCO World Heritage site in part because of the buildings but also because of the traditions the university has kept alive.

Coimbra was the capital of Portugal for around 250 years. The first half-dozen monarchs of Portugal were born in Coimbra. It became the country’s intellectual capital after the political capital was moved.

Finally, Coimbra was supposedly a big inspiration for Harry Potter. JK Rowling spent some time teaching English in Portugal while she was writing or at least thinking about the books. If you’re an HP fan you may find the city interesting!

Coimbra University under construction

A day trip to Coimbra is perfect for lovers of history or churches/cathedrals.

I’m not super into either of those things but still really enjoyed the trip! But, if that’s not your thing you may not love a trip here.

But, if you haven’t pre-planned your tickets you won’t feel like you saw much.

When to Visit Coimbra (and Portugal)

I love visiting in the shoulder season. Summer is the popular travel season in Europe and Portugal is no different. It’s also warm in the summer and Coimbra, like most of Portugal, is a city of steep hills. So, fall or spring would be the ideal times to visit for me. The weather is cooler and there are students at the university for classes! Universities always feel more alive and fun when the students are there.

Getting to Coimbra

Coimbra is the halfway point between Lisbon and Porto. This makes it easily accessible from either city or as a stopover when you’re transiting between the two.

You could choose to drive in Portugal. Driving in bigger cities is always stressful. It’s also worth noting that streets and parking spaces in Coimbra are small. It was a Roman and then medieval city; it wasn’t designed with modern life in mind. I debated driving and was glad I didn’t.

From Lisbon

A highspeed Alfa Pendular (AP) train connects Lisbon to Coimbra. There is about one train per hour from Lisbon’s Santa Apolonia or Oriente stations. Your final destination is Coimbra-B Station. The ride will take an hour and a half; tickets cost €35 one way.

If you’re up to it, I recommend buying your return ticket separately so you have time to see everything without the pressure of catching a train. If you’re a planner, buy your round-trip ticket! You’ll love the trip either way.

To see Coimbra from Lisbon without the hassle of planning take a guided tour. It’s pricey so avoid it if you can.

There aren’t as many options from Lisbon because other day trips (Sintra, Mafra, Tomar, and Evora, for example) are more popular.

What I Bring With Me

I’ve tried lots of travel backpacks and this one by Cotopaxi is my favorite.

My go-to day pack when I’m exploring cities.

My Nikon Z5 is my go-to camera. I love the 70-200mm lens for photographing wildlife.

My Eddie Bauer Rain Foil Jacket is a must.

Headphones – In-Ear by Bose

Headphones- over-ear by Beats – they don’t fall off my head or pinch my hair!

The only dietary card I’ll try (you get 10% off with my link)

My favorite travel insurance.

From Porto

The high-speed train from Porto to Coimbra is an hour and fifteen minutes and €32. Just as from Lisbon, there are several trains throughout the morning. Your final destination is Coimbra-B Station.

To visit Coimbra from Porto with a guide this is the tour I would pick.

Coimbra Day Trip As a Stopover

A stopover on your travel day is the most efficient to take a day trip to Coimbra. It will require some planning and flexibility.

Since a high-speed train connects Coimbra to both cities this is remarkably easy. Buy two one-way tickets. Porto to Coimbra and Coimbra to Lisbon (or the reverse). Get an early start to have plenty of time to explore Coimbra.

There are tour options for this too if you don’t want to self-plan. But, as with the others, the tours are expensive!

Luggage storage in Coimbra

Luggage storage is always a struggle and, on a stopover, it’s essential to making the stop worth it.

There are luggage lockers at the Coimbra B station. Don’t bank on these; they weren’t in working order as of April 2022 and that seems to be the case with most luggage lockers.

I read that Hotel Oslo would store luggage. So, even though I didn’t think it would work, I stopped by and asked them. Not only did she store the luggage without so much as a strange look, but she also wouldn’t even take payment! So, on your stopover, try out Hotel Olso if the luggage lockers don’t work. But, be very nice to them.

Check for the Bounce app. I used it in Chicago and it was super easy. I’ll use it everytime I need to store luggage in the future.

Andriod

Apple

Colorful bridge in Coimbra. Green, Yellow, Pink, and Blue plastic designs line a wood bridge.

Getting Around Coimbra

Getting around Coimbra isn’t too bad!

Coimbra is on a massive hill and the university happens to be at the very top of it. It takes 35 minutes to walk from the train station to the university. You can make some stops on the way to see other sites, and break up the hill, though!

There is also a bus system in Coimbra if you don’t want to walk.

If you take your time and aren’t too embarrassed about catching your breath while you walk up the hill, the views are worth it.

Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes when you go to Coimbra!

Things to See in Coimbra

Coimbra has so much to see! Taking a day trip to Coimbra is very doable but you’ll want to have a plan first so you don’t get overwhelmed by the hills or the things to do.

Coimbra University- exterior of the library. White stucco building with brown stone tower and red tile roof.

University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra is the biggest attraction in the city. It’s strange to think about visiting a university as a tourist while students are taking classes. But, the students in Coimbra are used to it and it’s well set up for it.

The university is at the very top of the hill in Coimbra. So, it’s a hike up. You can plan to stop at some of the other locations on the way to break it up. As you enter the main sites of the university you walk through the gate that was the entrance to the original Roman city. It blends in so if you don’t know it’s there you’d have no idea!

You’ll need tickets to see the sites at the university. There isn’t much to see without a ticket.

The university is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It’s only closed on Christmas, New Year’s, and one academic day in May.

Plan to spend most of your time in Coimbra at the university.

Tickets are €15. Ticket sales open 1 month in advance. The day is much less stressful if you buy your tickets online in advance.

There are tours of the university. You can take one through UnivCoimbra (available on their ticket site linked above) or an independent agency.

The tower, chapel, and library are the biggest sites at the university.

The botanical gardens and science museum are good options if you still have time.

Exterior of library in Coimbra. White facade with brown stone and light brown columns.

Library

The library is known as either the Baroque Library or the Joanina Library. It is a very ornate baroque-style library from the 1700s.

It is no longer used as the university’s library but still holds over 60,000 books. The library has 3 floors. The noble floor is the most ornate with three very distinct halls. Each hall is as elaborate as the others. You can’t take pictures when you tour but the photos on the website will give you a good idea.

Tower

The tower is located in the palace of schools. It is one of the most distinguishable parts of the university.

The bells in the 17th-century tower still control the time clock for the university. The Palace of Schools is currently undergoing some restoration and the tower is closed as of November 2022. You may still hear the bells ring!

St Michael’s Chapel

The chapel was likely built in the 12th century. It’s named for the Archangel Michael who was the protector of the first king of Portugal. Much of the artwork on the interior dates from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Botanical Gardens

The university takes great pride in its botanical gardens. Tours are available through the grounds. Touring the greenhouse is an option too.

You’re also free to wander the botanical gardens. They’re open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily.

The Aqueduto de São Sebastião is located inside the botanical gardens.

Yellow monument in coimbra. 4 yellow columns surround an inner fountain with a yellow dome above.

Claustro da Manga

This landmark is a great photo. It was built during the Renaissance in the 16th century and has been a national landmark since the 1930s.

The Old and New Cathedrals

Coimbra has two cathedrals that are very close to one another in the city center.

The new cathedral is more or less on the university campus. The new cathedral was actually built in the 16th century but the official “cathedral” title didn’t pass to this building until the 18th century. Even as old as it is, it is much more modern and ornate than the old cathedral.

The old cathedral is down the hill. Construction on this church started in the 12th century. From the outside, it looks a bit like a castle of some kind.

old church made of brown stone.

Igreja de Santa Cruz

This church is only a 10-minute walk from the university.

It was built in the 12th century. It is a Portuguese National Monument because the nation’s first two kings are buried there.

If you’re interested in Portuguese history, you need to stop at this church. It’s also home to an incredible baroque pipe organ.

Riverfront Park

The riverfront of any city is always one of my favorite places; I find the water calming. This waterfront is easy to walk along and it’s flat, a big change-up from the rest of the day. The pedestrian bridge is colorful and vibrant. Plus, you can look up at the big hill and see the university perched on top of it.

Where to eat in Coimbra

As is typical of a university town, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Coimbra. I highly recommend Sete Restaurante. It’s very close to the Igreja de Santa Cruz. It fills up early and gets packed with locals going to lunch. If you’re sharing a meal with locals you know you’re the in the right spot!

The menu is a bit expensive for Portugal (€15 per plate) but so worth it. This meal, in tiny little Coimbra, was one of the best of the trip.

Seared salmon atop spiraled veggies.

If you have celiac, the owner’s son does too! So, they have a gluten-free menu and are very careful.

Day Trip to Coimbra

Coimbra is an ideal day trip from either Porto or Lisbon. It’s close enough for a relaxing train ride but you don’t have to worry about being out super early or late in the day.

The university is the main attraction but there are other things to see that can fill your day afterward.

Plus, there is a really good restaurant (probably several but Sete is incredible).

Enjoy your day exploring!

Is Coimbra worth a day trip?

Yes! Coimbra is worth a day trip. You’ll have a chance to tour a beautiful university and see Portugal in a different light.

Is Coimbra a day trip from Porto?

Yes. Coimbra is roughly in the middle of Porto and Lisbon so you can day trip from either one.

How do you spend a day in Coimbra?

There are several ways to spend a day. Plan to spend some time touring the university and the library. From there you can find old churches and monuments around the city. Just plan well so you don’t end up walking up and down the massive hill!

How much time do I need in Coimbra?

One day is plenty to see all of the highlights in Coimbra.

Is Coimbra walkable?

Yes. The university is at the top of a massive hill but the city is walkable. If you get tired or don’t want to walk the hill ride-shares are an easy option.

What is the difference between Coimbra and Coimbra-B?

They are two different train stations. If you’re taking a day trip you’ll want to look for Coimbra since it is in the city center. Regional trains run from Coimbra. Coimbra-B is where the high-speed trains come. So, if you get off in Coimbra-B you’ll need to make your way into the historic city center.