Portugal · COIMBRA TOURS
Good coimbra tours fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Hear Coimbra Fado in an intimate setting, learn its story from musicians, and share a glass of Port for $18.
“It was a lovely concert of Fado, featuring four excellent musicians. They described the cultural significance of this musical style, and performed it beautifully.”
Tour Coimbra University’s royal halls, Joanina Library, and chapel with an expert English-speaking guide in a small group.
“Excellent visit guided by Renan, who is an expert in the field. My fríend and I had a very good time.”
Explore Coimbra University, the Joanina Library, Old Cathedral, and Santa Cruz Church on a history-filled guided walk.
“Excellent experience, a highlight of my first trip to Portugal! Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, had a nice sense of humor. Loved visiting the university, especially the library (the bats and cats! 💜). What I learned in this tour about the university and the city actually helped me understand other places as well. Really worth it!”
Paddle 18 km through Portugal’s forested Mondego Valley, stopping at river beaches for swims, lunch, and easy-going fun near Coimbra.
“A great experience on the river. Our guides were friendly and informative. A wonderful way to spend your day.”
Review of Coimbra’s small-group student tour, covering university traditions, city history, walking conditions, value, and what is not included.
“We had a great time— very informative and interesting, both as to history and current culture of university.”
Explore Portugal dos Pequenitos, a family-friendly miniature park showing Portugal, Brazil, Macau, India, Timor and Africa for $17.
“os bilhetes não foram validados na entrada, ao invés disso, tive que mandar um email com o link dos vouchers...”
Review of Coimbra’s private University, Joanina Library, and St. Michael Chapel tour, with practical tips on timing, guides, value, and access.
“Sara was very knowledgeable and gave us a tour of the university including the magnificent library. She especially made the visit enjoyable by avoiding the large tourist groups.”
Review of Conimbriga and The Roman Tour from Coimbra, with aqueducts, mosaics, museums, private transport, pricing, and practical tips.
“Tour guide, Alfredo was very knowledgeable on the Roman history and is only reason why the 3 out 5 score. Unfortunately the tour was cut short due the closure of Museum PO.RO.S on Monday. Also no souvenir photo as advertised.”
Cruise Coimbra’s Mondego River in a restored Barca Serrana, with local stories, city views, and a guide-led trip lasting about one hour.
“The tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and easy to talk to. My younger cousin really enjoyed answering his questions and learning the history of the Barca serrana. The boat ride was very calm and peaceful, definitely recommend!!”
Explore Lousã Mountain’s restored schist villages from Coimbra with a private guide, mountain roads, short hikes, views, and local culture.
“Great day with Alfredo. Historian and naturalist and society interpreter. Beautiful isolated villages saved from extinction. Don’t miss it”
Review the Tomar Convent of Christ tour, with Templar history, castle walls, local guides, costs, timing, and practical booking advice.
“All the history the guide was able to share with our group made the castle and church come to life....she recommended we stop at Castle Abmoural enroute to Evora. Great suggestion.”
Explore Lousã’s stone villages, castle, mountain roads, and local history on a private half-day tour from Coimbra.
“This tour was probably our favorite of all the tours we took on our trip! It was just us and our guide Sergio for the day which was awesome--Sergio was not only super friendly and professional, he went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience--we were so lucky to have him as our guide! The shale villages are gorgeous and represent and extremely interesting part of Portuguese history that we didn't really know anything about until Sergio shared his vast knowledge & insights. Even though it was raining the day we went, the jeep was super comfortable & well-equipped to take us up into the mountains.…”
Explore Serra da Lousã by 4x4 and on foot, spotting deer, visiting schist villages, and enjoying a private guide from Coimbra.
“Our host was fantastic! Very knowledgeable about the region and Portugal history generally. He took us ALL OVER the mountains looking for the much elusive deer! We spotted about six, including a very large buck! We got to hike a bit in a beautiful forest as well. And, of course, the tour wouldn’t be complete without the visit to the schist village! Quaint and pretty. I highly recommend this tour BUT be sure that you/your group is prepared for hours of off-roading, dust, and being inside a diesel vehicle for very long stretches of time, and on windy roads! This is rustic….”
Explore Coimbra on a private walking tour covering its cathedrals, university, gardens, old walls, and historic city center.
“We spent the day exploring Coimbra with our guide, Sergio. Met him right on time at the Joaquim Antonio de Aguiar statue and started our walking tour through this beautiful historic city. We saw parts of the original 11th-century palace and city wall, visited the old and new cathedrals, and made our way up to the University of Coimbra — the oldest university in Europe! After crossing the Santa Clara bridge over the Mondego River, we wrapped up with a nice lunch. Lots of walking, climbing, and learning — a fun and informative day with a great guide.”
Review of Coimbra’s private walking tour, with University access, Joanina Library, Santa Cruz, practical tips, value, and honest drawbacks.
“Ana was very informative and we enjoy her. Lots of steps but we took the elevator and that helped a lot. Be sure to get round trip tickets”
From the cave boats to the cellar tastings, and the best of each.
