Coimbra Self-Guided Walking Tour

Coimbra, Portugal
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Duration1h 30m - 2h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, Portuguese, English, Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Coimbra climbs from the Mondego riverfront to one of Europe's oldest universities, and this self-guided walking tour follows that ascent on foot. It starts where Portugal's first kings are buried at the Monastery of Santa Cruz, passes through the medieval Almedina Gate into the upper town, reaches the fortress-like Old Cathedral and the University's Iron Gate, then comes back down past the New Cathedral, the Monumental Stairs and the São Sebastião Aqueduct to the cafés of Praça da República.

Everything runs from your smartphone - no app to install, and no physical guide to keep up with. At each stop a short audio story plays, followed by an interactive quiz that turns the walk into a game you can play alone or with friends.

- 8 stops, about 2 km, roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace
- Audio guide and a quiz at every stop
- Walk it any day, at any hour, at your own pace
- Map and directions built in

What's included

  • Self-guided tour on your smartphone, APP not needed!
  • Audioguide with quizzes about each point of interest along the tour
  • A physical guide (the tour is accessible on your smartphone)
  • Access offline. Internet needed on your phone

What to expect

  1. Igreja de Santa Cruz
    Pass by
    Founded in 1131, the Monastery of Santa Cruz holds the tombs of Portugal's first two kings, Afonso Henriques and Sancho I. Travellers pause outside its ornate 16th-century facade on Praça 8 de Maio, in the heart of the lower town, and hear the story of how the walk up to the university begins here.
  2. Torre de Almedina
    Pass by
    The Almedina Gate and Tower is the main surviving entrance to Coimbra’s medieval walled town. Its name comes from the Arabic word for the city, and the arch marks the boundary between the flat riverside Baixa and the steep upper town. Travellers pass beneath it on the climb toward the cathedrals.
  3. Se Velha De Coimbra
    Pass by
    Coimbra’s Old Cathedral was built in the 12th century, when the city was Portugal’s capital and still close to the frontier. Its thick walls, narrow windows and battlements make it look more like a fortress than a church, and it is one of the best preserved Romanesque cathedrals in the country.
  4. Pass by
    The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, occupies a former royal palace on the highest point of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travellers enter the Paço das Escolas courtyard through the Porta Férrea, the Iron Gate, with the baroque library and clock tower ahead.
  5. Se Nova Catedral de Coimbra
    Pass by
    The New Cathedral began as the church of the Jesuit college in the late 16th century and became Coimbra’s cathedral in 1772, after the Jesuits were expelled from Portugal. Its tall Mannerist and baroque facade faces a square just below the university.
  6. Escadas Monumentais
    Pass by
    The Monumental Stairs are the long straight flight of steps that students climb between the lower town and the university quarter. Laid out in the 20th century as part of the remodelling of the university area, they give a clear view back down over the rooftops of Coimbra.
  7. Sao Sebastiao Aqueduct
    Pass by
    Also known as the Arcos do Jardim, the São Sebastião Aqueduct was rebuilt in the late 16th century to carry water to the upper town. Its long line of arches runs beside the Botanical Garden below the university, and travellers walk along them from the street.
  8. Praca da Republica
    Pass by
    Praça da República is the square where Coimbra’s student life spills onto the street, ringed by cafés, bars and the terraces used by the university’s student associations. The walk ends here, with time to sit down before heading back into the city.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Start your self-guided tour at the entrance of the Monastery of Santa Cruz on Praça 8 de Maio. Open your Ciceru experience nearby and follow the route on your smartphone.

End point

The tour ends near Praça da República. Take a moment to enjoy the area before finishing your walk.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
€7.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Ciceru · Booked through Viator
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