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Things to do in Coimbra District

Our most recommended things to do in Coimbra District

Fátima and Coimbra Full-Day Tour from Porto

1. Fátima and Coimbra Full-Day Tour from Porto

Travel to Fátima and Coimbra on a full-day trip from Porto. See the Shrine of Fátima and one of the oldest university cities in Europe. Choose from a tour with lunch and hotel pickup, a tour with lunch and a meeting point, or a tour with a meeting point.   Relax on the drive in an airconditioned vehicle to Fátima where apparitions of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared 3 children tending sheep in 1917.The miracle was recognized by the Vatican in 1930, and 3 different popes have been to Fátima since. Visit the stunning Neoclassical Basilica and Sanctuary, and can even have the option to attend mass in the Sanctuary. Spend some free time for lunch in the bustling city center which is full of modern-day pilgrims. Continue to Coimbra and discover the area that was Portugal’s only university city until the early 20th century. Founded in the 13th century, the hilltop college is one of the oldest in Europe. Today the university provides a backdrop to the city's charming streets.  Head to the Sé Nova Cathedral to see the only church in Portugal to survive the Reconquista almost intact. During the visit in Coimbra's historical center you can walk through the Quebra Costas, Arco da Almedina, Porta do Barbacã, and Rua Ferreira Borges. End at the University in the former buildings of the medieval Royal Palace. Among the highlights is the stunning Joanine Library with baroque details of red and green lacquer and trompe-l’oeil features. Return to Porto at the end of your tour.

From Lisbon: Day Trip to Porto, Óbidos, and Nazaré

2. From Lisbon: Day Trip to Porto, Óbidos, and Nazaré

Discover three amazing Portuguese cities: Porto, Nazaré, and Óbidos with a bus sightseeing tour from Lisbon. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Portugal and feel inspired by the architecture, history, and culture of these beautiful cities. Get comfortable in an air-conditioned vehicle as you start your journey toward the town of Óbidos, where we will start with a guided tour accompanied by a local guide. Completely surrounded by ancient walls and preserving all its medieval charm, Óbidos is one of the most famous and visited places in Portugal, and a must-see in the surroundings of Lisbon. The narrow cobbled streets that can be seen in Óbidos will immediately transport you to a medieval atmosphere. These streets are home to perfectly preserved old houses, historic buildings, and important monuments. Dominating the historic center in the highest part of the village, visit the Castle of Óbidos, which is declared one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. Start at the village main gate, and discover the amazing narrow streets outside of the beaten track. Visit the secret Jewish neighborhood and its white-painted houses with some great spots to take pictures. Walk along Rua Dereita, the most famous street, full of stores and traditional restaurants, and get to the castle of Óbidos. It was built in the 12th-century, although it has Roman constructions in its beginnings. It can be said that it is one of the best preserved and largest fortresses of the country, being listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. From there, you will clearly see the great wall of Óbidos, another of the town’s great symbols. Continue the trip heading to possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré, where you will visit the Forte de Sao Miguel. This site has become world-famous for the giant wave that hits its coast every winter and attracts lots of surfers from all over the world. Then, walk through O Sitio, where the famous streets present a collection of religious buildings and are a hugely popular site for pilgrims from all around the globe. Hike your way up to the summit, where you'll find medieval fortifications, 17th-century churches, and modern shrines. Wander the courtyards and plazas surrounded by ornate structures, basilicas, and statues. Next, head to Oporto, the last stop of the day. First you will have 1h to have a typical Portuguese lunch on your own to regain energy, and then, the visit will start. A vibrant 1.5-hour walking tour, where you will admire the stunning Old Town on the picturesque Douro River, complete with six bridges, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Igreja Carmen, Estação São Bento, Igreja São Francisco and Ponte Don Luis. At the end of your tour, you will return to the center of Lisbon and your guide will recommend things to do during the rest of your stay.

From Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Coimbra & Fatima

3. From Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Coimbra & Fatima

Get more out of your journey from Porto to Lisbon on a private one-way transfer with stops in Fatima and Coimbra. Travel across Portugal, exploring the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima and discovering the country's oldest university in Coimbra before arriving in Lisbon. Get picked up from your accommodations in Porto and meet your driver for the day. Start driving through the city streets and head towards Coimbra known as the City of Students. Arrive in Coimbra and admire the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290. Enter the Joanina Library which contains over 300,000 books and incredibly rare manuscripts. Continue exploring the city as you cross over the river to the Santa Clara Convent and relax in a downtown tavern for lunch. After lunch, leave Coimbra behind to travel to Fatima. Discover the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima and the Chapel of Apparitions. Find the holy tree before departing the city to be dropped off at your chosen location in Lisbon.

From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

4. From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Lisbon to Porto and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra or Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Lisbon, travel towards the city of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past.. Get dropped off at your hotel in Porto after a full day's sightseeing.

From Lisbon: Serra da Estrela Tour with Tasting

5. From Lisbon: Serra da Estrela Tour with Tasting

Itinerary At the appointed time, we will meet in Praça dos Restauradores, in the center of Lisbon, to then leave the capital behind us and set off towards the country's impressive peaks, rich in history and traditions. First, we will visit Covilhã, gateway to the Serra da Estrela, as well as home to the Cheese Museum, which we will visit to learn about the production process of the local dairy delicacy. Pure ecstasy for the palate! Next, we will reach the highest point of mainland Portugal, the Torre da Serra, from which we will enjoy an incredible view of the Serra da Boa Viagem and the neighboring Serra de Gredos. We will then continue to Penhas da Saúde, a beautiful mountain village that stands at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, in the middle of the Serra da Estrela. These postcard views will simply leave you breathless! If you visit in the winter months, you can even admire the magical snow-capped mountains. Along the way, we will also see a sculpture dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela, patron saint of shepherds, dating back to 1946. Quite surprising, don't you think? We will then begin the descent, stopping along the way in Manteigas, a town of unique beauty at about 700 meters above sea level, in the Serra da Estrela glacial valley crossed by the Zêzere River. The relaxing flow of water will accompany us on our journey, catapulting us into an atmosphere of absolute serenity. Before heading to our next destination, we will reach the "O divino" establishment to taste the Serra cheese produced there. What better way to end our tour of the resort? At the end of the visit, we will return to Lisbon, with arrival expected after approximately twelve hours of activity.

Porto to Lisbon Transfer with Tour Enroute

6. Porto to Lisbon Transfer with Tour Enroute

Begin by visiting Coimbra University, the oldest in Europe. The Joanine Library was built in the 18th century on the former prison. Its decoration was finished in the 18th century and the renovation included ceiling frescoes by Mestre António Ribeiro and Vicente Nunes. The portrait of Dom Joao V was done by the Italian Domenico Dupra. Visit other interesting places at the University including Saint Michel Chapel, Sala dos Capelos, and the cabra (bell) tower. Then, head downtown, between the Mondego river and the University, to a street where you can relax and get lost in the charming city. You will find countless cafes, pastry shops, and restaurants. Rich in culture and with unforgettable gastronomy, this area has been the commercial center of the city for hundreds, if not thousands of years, maintaining its genuine atmosphere and unique personality.  Choose to visit either Fatima or Obidos for your final stop before Lisbon. In Obidos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, travel back in time as you walk through the beautiful narrow streets full of traditional shops. Admire the old white houses and imagine how the medieval period would have looked and felt. Obidos was a wedding gift from D. Dinis to his wife D. Isabel and the village became part of the Casa das Rainhas until 1834, leaving the orders of D. Catarina to build an aqueduct and fountains. At the Sanctuary of Fatima, visit three places of interest. Choose to attend a mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions, the first Chapel built following the apparitions. It occupies a prominent place practically in the center of the Sanctuary. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, built in 1928 in Neo-Baroque style. It houses the tomb of Sister Lucia who passed away in 2005. See the Basilica of Santissima Trindade, built in 2007 with more than 8,000 seats and an area of 40,000 meters squared. It was designed by the Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis and is a modern imposing church.

From Lisbon: Town-Hopping Transfer to Porto

7. From Lisbon: Town-Hopping Transfer to Porto

Portugal is a country rich in history and culture, and this is your chance to explore some of the most beautiful and intriguing places to grace its lands. Stop by the medieval village of Obidos for a trip back in time, where you can wander through the narrow streets full of traditional shops and white-painted houses. Discover the Sanctuary of Fatima and take an optional mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions, explore the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary built in a Neo Baroque style and see the grand, modern Basilica of Santissima Trindade. Continue on to Coimbra for a visit to the oldest university in Europe. Coimbra´s University is home to the 18th century Joanine library and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Take a stroll to Coimbra´s charming downtown district where countless cafes, pastry shops and restaurants await your discovery. If you feel so inclined, choose to stop at the restaurant Mealhada where you can taste one of Portugal's most famous dishes, “Leitao da Bairrada," a slow-roasted suckling pork. Next, visit Aveiro where you can take a Moliceiro boat to see the 3 km of canals that flow through the city or take a stroll through the Aveiro market.  After a brief stop in the old fishing town of Costa Nova, your transfer will conclude in Porto.

Fátima and Coimbra

8. Fátima and Coimbra

Benefit from pickup in Porto city center, and then take a scenic drive to the Sanctuary of Fatima. The pickups are made between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, and after that your journey will begin. You will go directly to Fátima where the famous apparitions occurred. Along with this, you will learn about all the important historical events that occurred at this place.  When all the group agrees, you will have some free time so that you can eat lunch and enjoy the local gastronomy. After you leave this amazing place, with all that energy inside you still, you will go to Coimbra. The city of students, in which is the oldest university in Portugal. This area also has other monuments and historical treasures that you will also get to see.

From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Private Tour

9. From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Private Tour

Departing from the city of Porto, in a short, comfortable and private trip of 30 minutes, discover the beauty of the city of Aveiro and its famous Ria de Aveiro. Enjoy the peace and tranquility that this place provides. At your own pace and away from the crowds, interact with the community and learn about their stories in a mix between nature and gastronomy, in a unique and unforgettable experience. Have a memorable lunch at a local restaurant and choose the places to enjoy: • discover why it is known as the Venice of Portugal • explore its numerous canals and bridges. • visit the fish market, past Art Nouveau buildings, and colorful moliceiro boats. • Add a cruise on the Ria Aveiro, to further explore the city from the Ria. • discover Costa Nova, where you will have the opportunity to see and photograph the colorful fishermen's houses, typically painted with vertical stripes. The journey continues to the historic city of Coimbra. The city of students and the oldest university in the country, (12th century), and one of the oldest in the world. Take the time to: • visit the Joanina Library with its collection of over 300,000 books and some of the rarest manuscripts in the entire country. • visit the Old Romanesque style Cathedral (Sé Velha). • crossing the river to visit the Santa Clara Convent and the Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears), where the love between Pedro and Inês blossomed. • having a lunch at one of the taverns downtown, where you can find the most delicious snacks. Return comfortably to your hotel in Porto after a day filled with culture and beauty that will surely stay in your best memories.

From Lisbon: Óbidos and Coimbra Private Guided Tour

10. From Lisbon: Óbidos and Coimbra Private Guided Tour

Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick up in Lisbon and head to the first stop, the medieval village of Óbidos. A favorite of the Portuguese Queens, this village boasts charming small streets and ancient castle walls and is known as one of the most romantic spots near Lisbon.  Journey 2 hours onward to the city of Coimbra, home to the University of Coimbra, the oldest Portuguese university and one of the oldest in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013, many come to admire the University's elegant Joanina Library, a Baroque library from the XVII century. Admire the elaborate azulejo wall tiles of São Miguel Chapel and visit the tomb of the first Portuguese King before enjoying free time to explore the city center.  After a day full of touring, return to Lisbon in an air-conditioned car.

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What people are saying about Coimbra District

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 478 reviews

What an amazing experience!!! Flavio was the BEST tour guide we could ever imagine, patient, informative and entertaining. He provided great stories on every places we visited. We fell in love with the medieval Óbidos, the ocean views of Nazaré and the charming Porto. Definitely a must-do trip! Worth your time and money!

Very good and touching music, great voices, very professional, in a small, almost family setting. The group has also performed in Hamburg in the well-known and large Laitzhalle. However, the port wine tasting was not a tasting but a sip afterwards, and should perhaps be taken out as it arouses false expectations.

My husband and I found out about this Fado show in get you guide. It was an incredible show performed by very talented musicians! You should definitely make reservations to see this very traditional Fado. You will not be disappointed!

Well organized trip, comfortable ride in conditioned mini-bus, guide gave free time in each location to walk. Recommend if you want to visit Porto but do not have much time

Authentieke muziek in een passend jasje. Kortom, een bijzonder en sfeervolle ervaring.