Coimbra
A university city on a hill above the Mondego river, known for its old university buildings, Baroque library and a distinct style of fado.
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Coimbra is a historic city in central Portugal and the largest city of the Coimbra district. It was Portugal's capital from 1131 to 1255. The university moved here from Lisbon in 1308 and is the oldest in the Portuguese-speaking world. UNESCO listed the historic university city as a World Heritage site in 2013. The old centre climbs above the Mondego river, and the Baroque University Tower and the 18th-century Joanina Library stand among its main sights.
Students shape daily life. Around 28,000 students study at the university, and almost 10% of them are foreigners. Fado de Coimbra, a distinct style of fado, began in the city. Tradition says locals applaud it by coughing, not clapping. Spa villages such as Luso, Buçaco and Curia, and the mountain town of Lousã, make easy day trips from the city. Rain falls most months, but July and August are the driest. Days in those months often reach 28 to 29 °C and can exceed 40 °C, so plan walking for early morning or evening.
Coimbra in five
- Book the Joanina Library slot firstEntry to the Biblioteca Joanina is by the time printed on your ticket, and the university advises arriving about five minutes early. If you miss the slot you lose entry to that space, so plan the rest of the day around it.University of Coimbra visit page
- Get off at the right stationLong-distance Alfa Pendular trains stop at Coimbra-B, which is outside the center. A short regional train connects to the city station, so allow time for the transfer with luggage.Getting around Europe
- Wear shoes for hills and cobblesThe old town climbs steeply from the river, and the paving is polished stone that can be slippery after rain. Allow time between stops for the climbs.
- Stay a night if you want fadoFado de Coimbra is usually an evening experience, so a day stop misses it. A night also gives a calmer morning in the old town before the tour groups arrive.Aveiro travel guide
Things to do in Coimbra
See all attractions in Coimbra
Need to know
- Airport
- Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO), then train
- Getting there
- Alfa Pendular to Coimbra-B, then a short regional train to the city Read more
- Getting around
- Walking, with steep hills; local buses and taxis
- Best base
- Near the old town or the river
- Time needed
- A day or a night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, rainJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°MildFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°SpringMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Warm, showersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Warm, clearMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, graduationJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, graduation
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°HottestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberRain12 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, calmOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°RainyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Coimbra, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Coimbra
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 46%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Coimbra
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°9°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue21°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°5°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu19°4°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri15°7°68%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sat19°15°68%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sun20°17°95%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 95%.
Updated 08:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Coimbra
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Rules for Coimbra, checked
- Joanina Library: entry is by the time on the ticket; arrive about 5 minutes early or lose entry. Ticket office opens daily (University of Coimbra).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Coimbra
Canals and moliceiros on the same line
Read the guidePorto travel guidePortugal's second city to the north
Read the guideEstremadura and RibatejoMonasteries to the south
Read the guideLisbon travel guideThe capital, by Alfa Pendular
Read the guideViseu travel guideA calm Dão city inland of Coimbra
Read the guideSerra da Estrela travel guideThe mountain range inland by road
Read the guideTrains in PortugalCP, the Alfa Pendular and regional lines
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideCoimbra FAQ
Is Coimbra worth visiting?
Yes for the old university, the Joanina Library and the hill-town streets. It suits a day or a night on the Lisbon to Porto route.
How many days do you need in Coimbra?
One day covers the university and the old town, and a night adds the evening and fado. Two days only make sense if you add the monasteries nearby.
Do you need to book the Joanina Library?
The ticket gives a timed entry to the library, and the university advises arriving about five minutes early. Book the slot first, then fit the rest of the day around it.
Which station do you use for Coimbra?
Alfa Pendular trains stop at Coimbra-B, outside the center, and a short regional train links to the city station. Check CP for the connection when you plan your day.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra?
April to June and September to October are warm without July and August heat. The old town is steep, so heat is a bigger issue here than in flat towns.