Historical Walking Tours Coimbra: Explore Portugal's Oldest University City

On this walking tour you’ll discover all of Coimbra’s main attractions. It’s the perfect way to discover the city if you only have a few hours. If you have more time, this is also the best way to get na introduction. Then you can take advantage of the tips given on the tour to explore some aspects in more detail in the following days. Don’t just limit yourself to a few historical anecdotes about the city. Take a tour led by a guide registered with the national tourist office, but in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere. Get the knowledge, context and experience from a local. With this tour you will get: - Na overview of the city’s history - Passage through all of Coimbra’s main attractions - Knowledge of the most important academic traditions - Tips on restaurants and best places for photos and panoramic views - A quick reference guide to the city in paper or pdf format

Venture into the heart of Coimbra’s historical centre on a self-guided audio tour. On this walk, the audio will guide you through downtown Coimbra, called Baixa, where you’ll traverse its narrow streets and church-adorned squares. You'll walk through the city’s old medieval gates to Cidade Alta where you’ll see the Old and New Cathedrals. Most of this historical area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. You'll hear about the style of Fado music unique to Coimbra and see some of the city’s Roman ruins. You'll hear about its early beginnings, and the history of Coimbra's university and its traditions. The tour ends at the university campus, where you’ll be treated to amazing views over the city and Mondego River. This walking tour can be enjoyed on location or even virtually at home with VoiceMap's Continuous Play function which disables the GPS playback. So, roam the cobbled streets, echoing with the mournful sounds of Fado and the memories of times past.

Don't miss the chance to get to know Coimbra in a unique and unforgettable way! Book your place on the Alta and Sofia walking tour now. Discover its historical and cultural essence on a exciting walking tour by a world heritage site. Explore the unique narrow streets, charming squares and ancient monuments. The visit begins at the prestigious University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, with its fascinating panoramic view over the city. Then, passing by the Sé velha we will cross the Almedina arch, one of the medieval entrances to the city, and immerse ourselves in the vibrant life of Baixa de Coimbra. Here you will find picturesque streets, traditional shops and restaurants with authentic Portuguese cuisine. Luckly we will experience a spontaneous Fado performance, a unique musical style that emerged in the city in the early 20th century. Delight in the soulful sound of guitars and voices echoing through the cobbled Coimbra streets.

Embark on a journey through the heart of Coimbra with TouringBee's convenient mobile guide on your smartphone. This itinerary is specifically crafted to allow you to explore the city's attractions within a brief span of 1.5-2 hours. Experience the charm of quaint streets and lookout points, intriguing tales, and local folklore. Navigate the route at your leisure, without the need to keep up with a tour group. Feel free to pause at a café or detour to explore an intriguing side street, and return to the route whenever you wish. If you have just one day to visit Coimbra, spend it with a TouringBee audio guide and gain more insights than those who have spent a week there.

Coimbra, a city of students, a city where we learn to say saudade, a city full of charms and nooks where sections of the old wall will guide us in an adventure full of history, memories and wisdom. We will start this adventure along the banks of the river Mondego, where we will cross a pedestrian colored bridge, the Pedro and Ines Bridge, towards the Tollgate. On this bridge, you still have the privilege of contemplating a great panoramic view to the magnificent city of Coimbra and surrounding mountains. Along this route, the vast historical, cultural and natural heritage of this city awakens, in each one of us, the desire to set out on an adventure. An adventure to discover the history and mysteries hidden along the streets and staircases, from the downtown area to the high zone of the city, an adventure to get to know the old walled city and the oldest University of Europe, the University of Coimbra.

Visit, on foot, the most iconic sites of the city of Coimbra, such as the University of Coimbra, Sé Nova, Sé Velha, Torre de Almedina, the historic center of the city and the church of Santa Cruz, accompanied by a Guide, Expert in History, Art History, Tourism and Cultural Heritage. Get to know some of the traditions of Coimbra’s students and experience the city’s medieval mysticism live. You do not enter any monument, except the Church of Santa Cruz, if there is no Mass. If there are reservations in Portuguese and English for the same time, the visit will be made in English, if it is not possible to arrange a Guide for each language.

Learn about the history of Coimbra and the academic traditions of its university on a private tour of the most unique streets and landscapes of this exciting city. Let yourself be guided by former students from Portugal's most traditional university, who will take you to discover the most picturesque and traditional streets, the lesser-known corners and the places with the best panoramic views of Portugal's first capital. For photography lovers, romantic walks or simply to enjoy a panoramic and global view of the best Coimbra has to offer, this tour promises to surprise you.

Coimbra is known as the city of students because it has the oldest Portuguese university, founded in the 13th century, built next to the old royal palace and attached to the old Roman forum, as if emulating the ancient acropolis of classical knowledge in Athens. The academic traditions merge perfectly with the legends and traditions of Portugal’s almost millennia-old history, where the stories of bloody battles and tragic loves seem serene when you gaze at the peaceful Mondego River, which runs through the city and Portugal. Discover the main attractions of this amazing city, on this private tour by former students of the University of Coimbra.

A quick and informative 1.5-hour walking tour through downtown Coimbra highlights the city’s charming attractions and rich history. Discover notable sites like the Santa Cruz Church, Barbicane Arch, and Manga Garden while learning about the tragic love story of Pedro and Ines, often referred to as Portugal's Romeo and Juliet. This tour is ideal for those seeking a relaxed exploration of the city without the uphill trek, making it perfect for warmer days. Enjoy insights into Coimbra's academic traditions and local Fado culture along the way. - Duration: 1.5 hours, covering approximately 1.5 km - Maximum group size of 15 people for a personalized experience - Easy route with some stairs, suitable for most travelers - Meet at Portagem Square for convenient access to the tour start point

Although Coimbra was only classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 (when both its monuments and academic traditions were recognized by UNESCO, the United Nations agency for Education, Science and Culture), it’s safe to say that this “City of Knowledge” hides unexpected surprises at every corner! With the unique beauty of its historic buildings and the distinctive atmosphere shaped by centuries of student traditions, Coimbra offers an unforgettable sense of place. During this walking tour through the Historic Center, we will explore the many reasons behind its World Heritage status, moving from Downtown to Uptown while unveiling its role in the History of Portugal and the material and immaterial heritage found within the classified area. Led by a local resident and former student of the country’s oldest university, this visit will make you fall in love with Coimbra.

Discover the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, founded in the 13th century. Even today it is one of the most prestigious and recognized universities in the world. Discover the history, heritage and academic traditions on a private guided tour by former students of this ancient educational institution, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2013. Enjoy a complete private tour, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the places at the University of Coimbra most visited by tourists and other lesser-known places, to get the best out of your view. As the tour is private, challenge the guide with your personal tastes and interests and they will do everything they can to personalize your experience.

The city of Coimbra was the first capital of the kingdom of Portugal, but its history goes back much further. It came to prominence in Roman times, but it was during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula that the city of Coimbra became instrumental in consolidating the formation of the kingdom of Portugal, the oldest nation-state in Europe. That’s why this city has some of the most impressive medieval monuments in Portuguese history, which we invite you to discover in the company of local guides who were former students at the University of Coimbra, the oldest in Portugal.

Discover the oldest university in Portugal, founded in the 13th century, and one of the oldest in Europe. Even today, it is one of the most prestigious and recognised universities in the world. Join a small group walking tour led by former students to discover the university's history, heritage and academic traditions. The university has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2013. Enjoy a comprehensive tour and have the opportunity to visit some of the University of Coimbra's most notable highlights. Please note that visits to the Joanina Library are subject to availability during the tour. The guide will purchase tickets for the University of Coimbra at the beginning of the tour. If there are no time slots available for visiting the Joanina Library, we will visit other attractions at the university instead. Refunds will not be given if the Joanina Library is not available during the tour.

The event will take place in a traditional shop, opened in 1912, located in the historic area of Coimbra where wine, gastronomy and culture are located.

This tour aims to fill a gap that seems to me to be serious in the tourism sector in Coimbra, to show those who visit us some of our typical stores in the historic area, and our traditions. Extraordinary new ideas have sprung up, and old businesses have remained... but they face stiff competition from the online market and shopping centers. Few who visit us know what to try or which establishments to visit. They don't know, for example, that there Coimbra's typical weaving store (with the opportunity to see the work), or traditional soaps from the region, but also vinyls, or even socks produced in this area, or even handmade ceramics from the city. Tourists will always have some time to visit the stores, if they wish, and do their shopping Local commerce deserves to be valued! Tourists deserve to know what to buy and where to buy typical local/national products, they deserve to fully enjoy Coimbra. Are you ready for a great adventure... shall we go?