Coimbra is an old university town situated between Lisbon (200 km)
and Oporto (100 km) and
about 35 km from the Atlantic coast at Figueira da Foz. It is easily
reached from Lisbon and
Oporto, which both have international airports, by train (2h from
Lisbon, 1h15m from
Oporto) or by bus. The A1 motorway from Lisbon to Oporto passes close
to Coimbra; there
are also good road connections with Spain through Salamanca.
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).
Outside Coimbra there are many tourist attractions - monuments from
the Roman era to the
present day, mountains, spas and beaches.
A touristic guide of Coimbra
