The workshop takes place in second floor of the Department of Mathematics of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Coimbra is located at the centre of Portugal by the river Mondego. Having a rich cultural and historical patrimony, the city has been called the "city of students" due to the relevant role of the University of Coimbra.

Dating back from 1290, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest in Portugal. It now comprises eight faculties. The University of Coimbra has been inscribed by UNESCO in the World Heritage List. The University is located in three key campuses in Coimbra, named Polo I, Polo II (engineering departments) and Polo III (health campus). The Department of Mathematics is located at Polo I, in the heart of the town's historical site.

How to get to Coimbra

If travelling from outside the Iberian Peninsula, you will probably fly to Lisbon or Oporto, from where there are good train connections to Coimbra. Rail travel from both Lisbon and Oporto is regular, fast and reliable provided you take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades services.

Coimbra is 130km away from Oporto and 206km from Lisbon. Train connections between Lisbon and Oporto are equally good (Coimbra is one of the stops of the Lisbon to Oporto line). Thus, our advice is to choose based on the flights available.

Step-by-step guide from LISBON AIRPORT to Coimbra

1. Once you arrive at Lisbon Airport you should go to the railway station "Gare do Oriente". You can:
   • Take the metro (about 15 minutes and costs 1,90 euros). The Oriente station is the third stop after Airport station.
   • Take a taxi (about 10 minutes and should cost 5-8 euros). Both the airport and Oriente station lie to the north east of the town centre.
2. "Gare do Oriente" can be slightly confusing due to the lack of signs. You arrive at the ground floor. You can buy the tickets on the 1st floor. The train-lines are on the 2nd floor. Once you arrive you go to the 1st floor, search for the stairs that lead to lines 1 and 2. In front of those stairs (still on the 1st floor) there is a ticket office where you can buy your ticket. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket, consult schedules, etc. on the green ATM-like machines on the side of the ticket office. Tickets can also be bought online or in any ATM machine, but this is only advisable if you know your departure time in advance.
3. What type of ticket to buy? You should buy a ticket for an Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train to Coimbra. The cost depends on the type of ticket you buy and range from 19,20 euros (Intercidades, 2nd class) and 32,80 euros (Alfa Pendular, 1st class). If you chose Alfa and buy a first class ticket you can have a drink and a newspaper while you travel. Other than that there isn't much difference between first and second class.
4. You can consult the schedules here: http://www.cp.pt/. The Alfa and Intercidades services are punctual and reliable. Travel times range from 1h30m to 2h00m (approximately).
5. Get off the train when you arrive at Coimbra B (the main railway station). You can take another train for Coimbra A station (downtown railway station) on the same ticket. However, you can also get off at Coimbra B station and take a taxi to your hotel (approximately 5 euros).

Step-by-step guide from OPORTO AIRPORT to Coimbra

1. Once you arrive at Oporto airport take the metro to the Campanhã railway station (line E). You should buy a Z4 ticket (4 zones) which costs 1,85 euros. The travel takes, roughly, 40 minutes. You can download the timetable from this address: en.metrodoporto.pt
2. Once you arrive at Campanhã you should buy a ticket for an Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train to Coimbra. The cost depends on the type of ticket you buy and range from 13,20 euros (Intercidades, 2nd class) and 21,70 euros (Alfa Pendular, 1st class). If you chose Alfa and buy a first class ticket you can have a drink and a newspaper while you travel. Other than that there isn't much difference between first and second class. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or on the green ATM-like machines at the railway station. Tickets can also be bought online or in any ATM machine, but this is only advisable if you know your departure time in advance.
3. You can consult the schedules here: http://www.cp.pt/. The Alfa and Intercidades services are punctual and reliable. Travel time is, roughly, 1h00m.
4. Get off the train when you arrive at Coimbra B (the main railway station). You can take another train for Coimbra A station (downtown railway station) on the same ticket. However, you can also get off at Coimbra B station and take a taxi to your hotel (approximately 5 euros).

Getting to the conference venue

• The railway station Coimbra-B is situated slightly outside the city and, therefore, a regular link is maintained with the small Coimbra-A station in the city centre.
• Coimbra has a net of Urban Transports that allows the connection to the main touristic sites. This is the least expensive means to move around the town. One Day Ticket - Ä 3,50. You may buy in advance a ten-journey ticket in automatic machines and in most kiosks. Get the schedules in www.smtuc.pt.
• The Department of Mathematics is located in the main campus of the University of Coimbra, known as "Pólo I". The main campus of the University of Coimbra is served by several city buses. These do not go through the main campus itself, but the stop "Arcos do Jardim" is situated at a 2 minute walk from the Department of Mathematics:
  • Line 5: Pedrulha - Estádio
  • Line 11, Line 11C: Arnado - Bairro Norton de Matos
  • Line 24: Arnado - Quinta da Nora
  • Line 24T: Bairro Norton de Matos - Palácio da Justiça
  • Line 103: Estação Nova - Santo António dos Olivais
  For more information on the public transportation system in Coimbra, please refer to the SMTUC webpage.

Good to know

• Coimbra is an old university town located in the center-north of Portugal, 40 kilometers from the coast. The proper city has a population of more than 100,000. Like most university cities, Coimbra is home to many students from elsewhere, including thousands of international students. Outside Coimbra there are many tourist attractions - monuments from the Roman era to the present day, mountains, spas and beaches.
• Coimbra was the first capital of Portugal in the 12th Century; the university dates from 1290. The University is located on a hill overlooking the river above the centre of the town and within the former castle. Apart from the university, the historical and cultural centre of Coimbra has many interesting places to visit including the Igreja de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Church) and the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral, 12th Century).
• The University of Coimbra (UC) was founded in 1290 and constitutes a reference in higher education and scientific research in Portugal, with excellent academic reputation recognized worldwide. It includes 8 faculties and 32 research centres, providing teaching and conducting research in almost all study fields, as well as several structures devoted to promote science and technology, culture and sports. UC stands out also on technology transfer being involved in the promotion of several initiatives, like IPN Incubator and Biocant, and in the creation of diverse technological spin-offs, as Active Space Technologies, Artscan, Crioestaminal, Critical Software, Feedzai, InfoGene, Inogate, iNovmapping, ISA Intellicare, Luzitin, Move Mile, Sensebloom, SPI and Take The Wind, amongst others. On 22 June 2013, UNESCO added the university to its World Heritage List. More in: visit.uc.pt/en/
• The Tourist Office is located downtown in Largo da Portagem. There is another one across the street from Department of Mathematics. There you can get the Agenda Cultural de Coimbra, informing you on Cultural events and containing a list of useful addresses and institutions.
• Most restaurants and bars are open until 12PM. Pubs usually close at 2AM. Lunchtime usually goes from 12PM to 3PM and dinnertime ranges between 7PM and 10PM
• Banks are open 8.30AM through 3PM, Monday through Friday.