Sightseeing in Coimbra - what to see. Complete travel guide
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In the past, there was a settlement called Conímbriga not far from modern Coimbra. That settlement gave the name to the Portuguese city. When Sueves and Visigoths invaded the region, local people had nothing to do but to abandon their houses and move to Eminium Hill situated near the bank of the Mondego River. This is where Coimbra was initially located. The settlers kept the name of their homeland and used a short form of the name, changing it to Coimbra. The Moors conquered the new city in the 8th century. Christians managed to return the region only in the 60s of the 11th century thanks to the help of Ferdinand the Great.
Coimbra is incredibly rich in various landmarks and historical attractions. Each of them has its own unique charm. Start your acquaintance with the city with a visit to a museum park that has a small version of the whole of Portugal. This is a small village that, nevertheless, shows how diverse and beautiful the country is. Established in 1940, the park features all major architectural landmarks of the country, as well as famous sculptures and monuments.
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Do you enjoy visiting shrines and churches while traveling? Coimbra invites its guests to visit the Old Cathedral of Coimbra. There was a cathedral on the site of the modern one, but it was destroyed during the invasion of the Sueves in the 5th century. In the middle of the 12th century, it was decided to rebuild the cathedral, but the ruins were in such a bad condition that they were demolished and a new beautiful cathedral appeared on that site. The beautiful Romanesque Roman Catholic church is open for visitors and has public masses regularly.
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In the opinion of many, the Botanical garden is the most beautiful attraction of Coimbra. It is located not far from the cathedral. The serene “green paradise” was established in the 18th century. Its territory expanded several times until it reached the current size. The garden’s staff has established connections with botanical gardens from different parts of the world. Thanks to this fact, there are plants that are typical for different continents, even for Africa. Besides the typical flora, there are beautiful herbariums made from various plants.
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This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Coimbra is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Coimbra and surroundings
Reference information
Shopping streets in Coimbra
♥ Shopping area ' Ferreira Borges Street' Coimbra, 1.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Shopping area ' Visconde da Luz' Coimbra, 1.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Shopping area ' Ferreira Borges Street' Coimbra, 1.7 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Ferreira Borges Street](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Shopping area ' Visconde da Luz' Coimbra, 1.8 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Visconde da Luz](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Survived castles around Coimbra
♥ Castle 'Castle of Penela' , 19.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Montemor-o-Velho' , 23.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Soure' , 24.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Leiria' , 61.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Ourém' , 64.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castle of Penela' , 19.2 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Castle of Penela](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Castle of Montemor-o-Velho' , 23.4 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Castle of Montemor-o-Velho](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Castle of Soure' , 24.5 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Castle of Soure](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Castle of Leiria' , 61.1 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Castle of Leiria](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Castle of Ourém' , 64.3 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Castle of Ourém](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
National and city parks around Coimbra
♥ Nature Park 'Serra da Estrela' , 70.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nature Park 'Serras de Aire e Candeeiros' , 85.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nature Park 'Tejo Internacional' , 124.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nature Park 'Serra de São Mamede' , 135.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nature Park 'Alvão' , 138.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Nature Park 'Serra da Estrela' , 70.4 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Serra da Estrela](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Nature Park 'Serras de Aire e Candeeiros' , 85.2 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Nature Park 'Tejo Internacional' , 124.1 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Tejo Internacional](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Nature Park 'Serra de São Mamede' , 135.9 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Serra de São Mamede](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Nature Park 'Alvão' , 138.5 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Alvão](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Sights around Coimbra from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Piodao
From the series “Monochromatic Cities - Stunning Views”![](../../extreme/img/w300/piodao_1.jpg)
Check on the map:
Distance from Coimbra center - 49.8 km.
A nice hotel was opened in one of the ancient buildings. More than that, just every town’s house is open for tourists. It is possible to rent whatever you want. Also, the town has two cosy national restaurants where you can try the most popular national dishes. A major part of them contains delicious sheep and goat cheeses. Note that the town has great liquors. Near the Piodao you can see a lot of picturesque landmarks. During the walk in the mountain regions, you can see wonderful fountains and fast streams. …
Read further ![Piodao on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Read further](../../img/2017/icon_next_24.png)
Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto
It will welcome its first guests in 2024. 313 rooms of various categories will be available, the interior of rooms and hotel spaces will become one of the main features of the high-class hotel. When decorating the rooms, it is planned to use local textiles, which are famous for their high quality and are considered to be one of the best in the world.
Read this
27.07.2024
It will welcome its first guests in 2024. 313 rooms of various categories will be available, the interior of rooms and hotel spaces will become one of the main features of the high-class hotel. When decorating the rooms, it is planned to use local textiles, which are famous for their high quality and are considered to be one of the best in the world.
![](http://www.orangesmile.com/img/2017/icon_next_16.png)
27.07.2024
Search touristic sites on the map of Coimbra
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