Coimbra Day Trip from Lisbon or Porto

Coimbra, Portugal’s historic university city, sits between Lisbon and Porto, so it’s an easy day trip from either, or a perfect stop on the train between them. Here’s how to get there and what to see in a day.

Quick answer: fast trains take about 1 hour 45 minutes from Lisbon and about 1 hour from Porto to Coimbra-B station, on the edge of town. Take a taxi or local transport to the centre. In a day, see the University and Joanina Library (book your slot), the old cathedral, the lower town and the riverside. See Coimbra day trips from Lisbon.

A day in Coimbra

1. The University: the Joanina Library, the Great Hall and the chapel. See the University of Coimbra guide.
2. The Old Cathedral (Sé Velha): a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral.
3. The steep lanes down through the old town, past fado houses.
4. Lunch in the lower town (Baixa), with leitão (suckling pig) from nearby Bairrada if you’re hungry.
5. Santa Cruz Monastery: the burial place of Portugal’s first kings.
6. The riverside: cross the Mondego to the Santa Clara-a-Velha convent ruins or Portugal dos Pequenitos, a miniature park for kids.
7. Coimbra fado in the evening, if you stay.

Add Conímbriga

With a car or a tour, add the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, 20 minutes south. See Conímbriga.

Tours

Day tours from Lisbon often combine Coimbra with Fátima or Buçaco. From Porto, some include Aveiro. See Coimbra tours.

Tips

• Book the Joanina slot first and plan around it.
• Shoes: the old town is steep.
• Stay over: see where to stay in Coimbra.

More: the Coimbra guide, Lisbon to Porto by train and the best day trips from Porto.

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