Self-Guided Walking Tour of Coimbra, Portugal (2025)

Largo da Portagem is a small square with lots of little cafes, restaurants and gelaterias. There is always a buzz of energy here. Make sure to come back after dark and see all the beautiful lights. It is open to the Mondego river which was used to bring goods to town and collect customs duties here, hence the name – Toll Sqaure.

The Church of St. Bartholomew is one of the oldest religious sites in Coimbra, with its initial construction predating the year 957, when it was donated to the Lorvão Monastery. Over the centuries, the church has undergone significant architectural interventions. The current Baroque style is a result of a complete reconstruction during the second half of the 18th century.

Inside the church, two notable paintings depicting the death and resurrection of Christ can be found on the left side of the nave chapel. The main gold altarpiece, featuring a painting by Italian artist Pascoal Parente, depicts the Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew and is a fine example of Baroque style. Despite its modest appearance, the Church of St. Bartholomew holds significant historical and artistic value.

Arco de Barbacã, a gothic arch erected in the 16th century, topped with a shield of King Manuel I. This arch is the best kept structure of the ancient Coimbra’s wall, which corresponded to the main entrance in the city during the Islamic period. On the arch is the sculpture of our Lady, the national arms and the symbol of the city foundation.

Just beyond the Arco de Barbacã is the Arco e Torre de Almedina, is a gothic arch and old medieval gateway into the old city of Coimbra. It is surmounted by a tower that has had various functions. In the 14th and 15th centuries, this was the seat of municipal power, the Casa da Câmara, and later the Casa de Audiência, where council meetings were held.

The initial cathedral of Coimbra is known as the “Old” (“Velha”) Cathedral because a newer cathedral became the city’s second cathedral in the 18th century. Constructed in 1117 by Portuguese and French architects, it maintains much of its original Romanesque architecture, which is quite unusual for major churches of that period throughout Portugal and Europe.

Externally, it appears like a fortress, but the Renaissance-style side portal serves as a reminder that it is a church. The delicately adorned front portal, influenced by Islamic architecture, is the venue for one of the city’s major cultural events, the May “serenade,” in which male graduates perform fado music to bid farewell to student life.

Inside, very little has altered over time. Over time, only tiles imported from Seville in 1503, Gothic altarpieces, and baroque paintings have been added, with the highlight being the chancel’s exceptional gilded Gothic altarpiece, created by Flemish sculptors in the early 1500s. The cloisters, which were built in 1218, were Portugal’s first to follow the Gothic style.

The impressive 16th century loggia dominates the large patio, making it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting this part of the city. This space has a rich history, serving as an administrative, political, and religious center in Roman times, a Christian temple since at least the 11th century, an episcopal palace from the second half of the 12th century, and a museum since 1911. As a result, it is one of the most complex and captivating places in the city.

After being classified as a National Monument, the former episcopal palace of Coimbra was given to the Portuguese State to house the Machado de Castro Museum. Successive adaptations allowed for the discovery of the building’s history and archaeological value. However, it was only with the recent refurbishment and expansion project that a comprehensive intervention program encompassing archaeology, architecture, and museography could give greater visibility to the scientific study of the complex.

With brand new, spacious, and well-lit areas, the Museum can now better showcase its collections and offer greater comfort and accessibility to diverse audiences. It aims to solidify its identity as a space for sharing knowledge and creating meaningful connections with visitors. Following its recent reopening, the Museum is ready to welcome visitors and continue its legacy as a cultural landmark in the city.

Sé Nova was built in the late 16th century by the Jesuit Order and became the new cathedral in 1772 when the Jesuits were expelled from Portugal. The church has a mix of Jesuit and Baroque architecture and inside, there is a barrel vaulted ceiling and ornate choir stalls and altarpiece. The stone baptismal font is also a beautifully carved feature that was transferred from the older cathedral.

Museu da Ciência de Coimbra, or the Science Museum of Coimbra showcases scientific instruments and objects from various fields of science. The museum is housed in the former Royal Palace of Coimbra, which was built in the 18th century. The exhibits cover topics such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and medicine, among others. The museum also hosts events and educational activities for visitors of all ages. The Science Museum of Coimbra is one of the oldest science museums in Europe and is considered a national monument of Portugal.

Paço das Escolas is a historic complex of buildings located in the heart of Coimbra, Portugal. It was originally built in the 16th century as the Royal Palace of King John III and was later donated to the University of Coimbra. The complex includes several buildings such as the Joanina Library, the Royal Palace, the Academic Prison, and the Chapel of São Miguel.

The Joanina Library is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world with its ornate Baroque design and collection of rare books and manuscripts. The Royal Palace is now used as the university’s administrative headquarters and contains impressive rooms such as the Throne Room, the Coat of Arms Room, and the Room of the Capelos.

The Academic Prison is a unique building that was used to imprison students who broke the university’s rules. It is now a museum displaying the harsh conditions and punishments that students endured. The Chapel of São Miguel is a small but beautiful Baroque chapel that served as the university’s chapel until the construction of the larger and more grandiose chapel in the 16th century.

Overall, Paço das Escolas is a must-see attraction in Coimbra for those interested in history, architecture, and academia.

The Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) in Coimbra is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Portugal and one of the most beautiful in Europe. It was founded in 1772 by the Marquis of Pombal, the same prime minister who transferred the episcopal seat to Sé Nova.

The garden covers an area of about 13 hectares and is located on the hillside behind the University of Coimbra. It is home to more than 1,200 species of plants, including many rare and exotic species from all over the world.

The garden is divided into several areas, each with its own particular theme. These include the systematic beds, where plants are arranged according to their scientific classification, the medicinal garden, the aromatic and dye plants section, and the succulent plants area.

One of the highlights of the garden is the beautiful Baroque-style fountain, known as the Fonte dos Amores (Fountain of Love), which is located in the central area. There are also several greenhouses containing tropical and subtropical plants, as well as a small museum displaying scientific instruments and botanical specimens.

The Jardim Botânico is not only a beautiful place to visit but also an important scientific and educational institution. It is actively involved in the conservation and research of plant species, and it also offers educational programs and guided tours for visitors.

Nestled behind the Botanical Gardens is the Aqueduct of São Sebastião in Coimbra is a reconstruction, produced during the reign of D. Sebastião, from 1570 onwards. It is also known as the Arcos do Jardim or Arches of the Garden.
In accordance with the project attributed to the Royal architect, Filipe Terzi, it measures 1 km in length and is constituted by 21 arches.