Biblioteca Joanina is an ornate 17th century Baroque Library. Paid 13 Euro and you have 10-15 mins access, the upper hall was totally unlit and reliant on outside window light - plus all the reading tables were covered with cloth. To top it off - no photos allowed. Totally overpriced.

A library filled with 500 year old books with 3 stories. The main floor is beautiful baroque. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos of the baroque room anymore. In don't understand the negative reviews.

It is a beautiful library. Please keep in mind in advance that you cannot take photos when you are inside. A timed entry ticket is required. Please also keep in mind that the first two floors are ONLY steps, not very inclusive in design. I had to ask an info person to a more accessible entrance for a loved with limited mobility to enter on the third floor. I wish this information was available in advance, so come ahead of your booked time.

A nice historical library well maintained, preserved with controlled admission and no photography allowed in the main building. It is required to manage, monitor crowds otherwise history will be lost. Tickets can be purchased online or at one of the ticket centers in the university. Paid parking is available in the university area and nearby. You have to be at the entrance a few minutes before the scheduled time and not later. Photos are allowed in the first room and not in the main library rooms. Visitors have to respect it and also be mindful of the time allowed inside. The inside architecture is baroque with a royal feel and the woodwork with books from history is amazing to view and preserve in our memories. This may not be one of the top libraries but definitely a place to visit for anyone who loves books and history

Go to the website, select the time entry to the library and that same ticket will allow you to enter other university buildings. The time entry only applies to the library. The visit is only 20 minutes. The first 10 minutes is to see the prison chambers and then the overflow of books on the second floor. The second 10 minutes is finally for the main attraction, you can’t take pick tires or videos so absorb as much as you can while you are there. It’s definitely worth the visit.

Nice interior, but unfortunately way too overpriced (13.5€ per person). Also, you get limited 10mins time inside the library and no photos policy makes it feel a bit too pricey for what you get...

The Juanin Library is considered one of the richest Baroque libraries in Europe. It was built between 1717 and 1728. It is located in the most central part of the University of Coimbra, near Escolas. The building was built to house the university library with a collection of over 300,000 volumes dating from before 1800 and a large collection of the Old Testament. They are launched only in groups of 15-20 people. Starting from the lower floor, where the prison was located and then upstairs. You can't take photos in the library itself. I recommend you to visit. It is even possible without a guide, as there are information sheets on each floor.

The Joanina Library is an exponent of baroque art. It is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It was built in the early 18th century by order of King John V, motivated by a request from the University of Coimbra to expand its old library. Its architecture is generally compared to a temple (secular), to worship Wisdom (also another name to refer to the university). However, this work tells a lot about the greatness of Portugal, as you can see in the interior decoration. Portugal in the early 18th century was a powerful empire spread across the four continents. Its economy shone with the discovery of extensive deposits of gold in the colony of Brazil at the end of the previous century. In this context, generous amounts were invested in the library, which is reflected in all its exuberance. The library doors open every 20 minutes. In the summer (between the second week of July and the second week of September), there are night visits to the Royal Palace, which includes the library, when it can be seen as it rarely is. Tickets for tours that include the Joanina Library are sold at the General Library building reception. To find out more about the library, take a look at the free audio guide at this link:: https://izi.travel/en/acd9-biblioteca-joanina-joanina-library/en And, if you're curious about what's in the region: https://izi.travel/en/c125-coimbra/en I hope you enjoy your time in Coimbra!

Very impressive and the most beautiful library I ever been into. However there are minuses (and reasons for the low rating): - you either buy tickets in advance or walk about a mile to the office to buy them. You only realise it at the place - they do not allow to take photos in the main hall. Again, you only know it when you start the tour. Though they do allow take photos at the entrance room - they deleted all previous reviews for many years (by deleting their place on google and then reinstating it) - probably because they did not want the photos to be published. I believe in freedom of information. So, I reinstated the updated review lowering the rating from previous 4 to current 2 starts. All my photos were taken from the room they allowed to take photos.

expensive for 10 minutes inside the rooms and not very smart organized, especially for a bunch of academics. only possible to visit in a combination ticket, the exhibitions are nice

someone very close to me used to say this, Portugal will be a great place without the Portuguese ppl. University of Coimbra has beautiful buildings with astonishing history, great students with studious attitude and desire to experience life, but some senior staffs (at least to my experience) can be a tiny little.bit of conservative and old fashioned. I understand why they reacted this way when a person speaking to them a language they did not understand. But still, a tiny smile wouldn't hurt. ok, I know 99.99% of Portuguese are lovely, especially the young ones, but still, for my psychological health, I need to rant～

I mean it is made of different massive buildings and it looks really nice. There is a great history behind it. The only thing is that some parts of the university are subject to entrance fee and it sounds not right.

Quite an interesting place to visit, though I had to admit I expected to see more rooms. Some were closed for restoration or not allowed to be seen by tourists, etc. There is a chance to see the library, the chapel and the botanical gardens as well. Definitely see the library- it is the highlight of the tour for sure! One thing that I believe is strange is that you need to buy tickets like 3 blocks away and then walk to the university- what’s the sense? It’s a mystery and inconvenience for sure.

Paid museum areas (library and chapel) let down by clock watching staff pushing you to go either faster or slower. Not really sure what the reason was, I see no need for such overly strict enforcement of time. If it’s for covid it’s completely counter intuitive as it squashed everyone together.

The university is one of the oldest in the world, the oldest in Portugal, and played an influential role in Portuguese academic history. Now is declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It's definitely worth seeing.

Half day left in Portugal trip, I've decided to go to the oldest university in the world and was amazing how the beauty of this university was. Unfortunately it was under construction and many spots were closed. Looks like I have to come back here again. lol

One of the oldest universities in the world is truly impressive. It is worth a visit

Coimbra University is one of the oldest in Europe dating back to late 13 century, and still the biggest one in Portugal. Visiting it's grounds is the best thing you can do in this town. There're several types of tickets, depending how much you want to see. We found the basic ticket (around 12 Euros) to be more than sufficient as it includes the Chemical laboratory, University Palace (which served as seat of power in 12-13 c when Coimbra was a capital), as well the astonishing Sao Miguel Chapel and Joanina Library. BEWARE you cannot buy tickets on the spot at the University square. Tickets for the entire University complex are sold across the Chemical Laboratory which is around the corner of the new Se Cathedral (some 10 min walk from the University square itself). Very illogical, but that's it - do that first to avoid double walking like we did. Count on around 2-3 hours for entire visit.

We had a brief visit at the University of Coimbra. They do have pay toilets. We were able to take a tour of the library. Photos and videos are prohibited inside the library. Please be careful as the rope stantions are very sharp and can snag your clothes. Other than that, it is very beautiful and impressive.

The university reference of the country, his name is known overseas. Long prosperity at the university and its various buildings which make the charm of Coimbra. UNESCO heritage!

Coimbra university is the oldest and most famous in Portugal. A Unesco heritage site is an absolute must for the visitor. It takes some time to wander around and inside the various buildings. Climbing the stairway up the roof is not for the timid people and gives a wonderful view around the city. The old royal chappel is nice. Nevertheless the jewel in the crown is the old library, Biblioteca Joanina in baroque style. You must book your ticket to it in advance, as you may find it sold out. You also need a guide. I payed 20 euros to join the guided tour at 11am on Sunday. The tour is normally in Portuguese only. As it happened that I was the only tour member(!!) I had the guide to myself and also available for some questions in english. There were several other groups. It takes close to an hour and half to follow any tour. No pictures are allowed in the library but my money was well invested.

What a beautiful university. The buildings are mesmerising. It is located above the hills so we can see Coimbra from the top. Make sure to visit Joanina library because it is so beautiful. One of the most beautiful libraries in the world. You need to buy tickets in advance and there is a timed visit for the library. They only have a guided visit for the library because the library is very old and they want to preserve the interior. Worth to visit.

A great half day trip. The church was nice, the palace was good but the bibliotheca (library) was fantastic. A 13 euro entry fee was well worth it. The gift shop was good too. (No pictures of the bibliotheca because they don’t allow it)

The university was a part of our tour in Coimbra and it deserves attention. It is high rated and also makes the life of the city very colorful. Many Portuguese historical figures attended the University.

The university of Coimbra is a university with a long history. There are its school palace, clock tower, university prison, chapel inside. It take functions as an observatory that overlooks the entire city of coimbra, because it was located on a hill. The huge statue of the university's founder in the playground is a sight to see. There are buildings built between 16th and 18th centuries, and students are still studying in those buildings. In particular, the Joania library built in 18th century have many books, gorgeous books bindings, and bookshelves. Those give us a glimpse of how important the king and the country placed books.

This university has wonderful heritage building....very nice architecture with a church and museum. The students are very enthusiastic about guiding throughout the campus. The university has an amazing library also and the structure is very nice. The campus also has a church where all the students can pray. The museum also includes the palace where the king has a court. From the university, one can get the beautiful scenery of Coimbra city and also the beautiful Mondego river.

Lovely constructions and attention to detail. The price was a little steep for what you get. And as adults you want for information that they won't present you, at least not for free. Good for young kids though.

If you have kids it's totally worth it, it was really fun seeing all the Portuguese buildings in miniature loved it, my 5 years old loved it

Unique place, show different parts of the world. The Portuguese invasion and all cultures differences in the world. Strongly recommend. The buildings are very authentic and the kids really enjoyed it. The family tickets cost 39.90 for two adults and two children and we really enjoyed it.

Iv been here 3 times over the past 5 years , took my first then my second Kid , the kids enjoy it , its very well built , it lacks information on the main topical houses , for the fee we pay there should be more . Nonetheless my 3 year old had fun climbing in and out of the miniature houses . The app to identify the houses is not FREE 🤌🏻 not cool!! Maybe get more staff involved and dressed to ocasion on each house , put some explanatory tags on the houses … make it a more enjoyable and fun experience for the guests 👍🏻

The structures where larger than the mini size we expected. There was more to see and it was more enjoyable than I anticipated. Even our 2 children (7 & 1) had fun. We entered just after the place opened, on a Saturday, in Autumn. No waiting. We would haved liked more information about everything we saw. Wear sensible shoes. Walk on one side all the way to the back where young kids can play and then walk back on the other side. Souvenirs were few and very expensive. For us, the professional photo was worth it.

Cute little place to learn about all of Portugal's territories. Set up as a village with tiny houses. More fun if you bring kids.

Visiting Coimbra for first time and the park was suggested as family activities. Really great place to touch and understand the regions in country. Well thought and structured, with activities for the kids - although most of them are running around the small houses, castles and playgrounds ;) Must see attraction in the city with free parking.

Lovely place for both children and adults to learn about Portuguese history and its former colonies in a visit that should last 60 - 90 minutes. All information is in Portuguese and perfect English. Definitely worth seeing after you have visited the university in Coimbra.

It is better for young kids (2-9 years old). Tickets are quite expensive but you can spend a couple of hours there. Bring your own food as there is no restaurant, bar, just a drinks' small place. There is a play area but quite full. There was also a queue for getting the tickets but didn't take long The train was not running.

It was a nice experience for my kids (11 and 7 years). They were able to explore the different houses and displays. However, the experience was very one dimensional and quickly became very repetative. If you've seen it once, there's really no need to go back. Also, I don't understand why they cannot post proper signage for each zone/display. Having to use a poorly organized map was needlessly frustrating. I recommend visiting in the morning hours as it gets very hot and crowded closer to the afternoon. Bathrooms are adequate, there are vending machines with drinks and I believe snacks available and at least two locations sold ice cream.

Its outside so the heat is always blazing down on you. Nice little houses to see and portuguese culture on display. It's generally OK but a few of the houses were under renovation and blocked off. But 14€ per person? That's too expensive for what it offers IMO.

Nice area showing counties of the world with ties to Portugal. Lots of play areas for kids on small scale houses.

Awsome history for parents, great little exploration and experience for kids. Not too big and not too small, great way to pass a morning or afternoon

Very nice place to visit with family, remarkable place has great details of buildings and history of Portugal 🇵🇹.

Great place to visit. The small house replicas are amazing, representing several regions and places of Portugal.

A lovely museum with lots of attractions to see. You explore each country that Portugal influenced and then go explore different regions of Portugal. It's beautiful, greatly done and very kid-friendly. I've lost 4 hours inside of it! Price was 15€ pe person, no student discount.

Great place to learn some português history. Easy to get to, clean and the staff friendly. Great for the kids. It's broken into two parts essentially, the history part with buildings of the destinations and the history they display and then out the back is where the kids can climb around and inside the mini buildings. It was easy to buy tickets once you arrive.

Nice place near to port CR7 hotel and museum

Expensive. Needs maintenance. Most interactive screens were malfunctioning. However, if you're looking for a place for kids to enjoy. It's equivalent to Legoland or mini DisneyLand. No rides but a history of all the Portugal landmark architecture in miniature. Good educational kids adventure.

Great place to take the family to learn a little about the history of Portugal. Several important locations and structures. Free parking, in the underground car park opposite before reaching the roundabout. Very clean and calm place. The staff are very friendly. There should be more places with activities for children to learn the culture, depending on the age group.

we LOVED it! I thought the music would all be extremely sad, but it wasn't. Some of it was melancholic, some was even cheerful, and all of it was so beautiful! The venue was cozy and the singers and musicians were awesome. At the end we even got a little treat of delicious port wine.

I absolutely loved the passion, knowledge and technical skill of the performers. The setting is lovely, cozy and comfortable. All explanations were done in Portuguese and English. I highly recommend this experience

The right place for those who want to know what Fado is. 50 minute show. Pleasant atmosphere. An intimate and small place. The show includes a historical explanation of the music with examples. For those who come to visit and want to taste the music.

The price is quite acceptable and the vibes are good. The Fado music played was unfortunately not top notch on the day I visited though. But the staff were very friendly.

I had an amazing experience here. The guitarists were so talented and the singers we amazing. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to see fado from Coimbra.

We really enjoyed this! Great little lesson and history as well as a very nice performance. We really enjoyed seeing Fado in a restaurant in Lisbon and while this was completely different, it was very well done.

A wonderful introduction to fado from Coimbra. An hour beautifully spent. Thank you.

Very different Fado experience to the usual dinner and Fado nights. Very intimate setting, performed by students and former students, true to tradition only men, accentuated by black and white footage of student life and Fado history. Very well done.

Going down stairs form the University we found Fado ao Centro. It was very nice show about the history of Fado of Coimbra and photo exhibition.

I got stranded in this alley with my now Wife in 2008. We walking this narrow walkway up to find a live concert outside of this street. The street itself was crowded, filled with tables from the different locals, and every local was serving food and drinks to their respective tables. We spent the evening there, and when the tables got cleaned, and the band stopped playing, the shops were still open. It was way past midnight. I'll admit that I'mm not sure this was the exact local then, but it's where the magic happened in this street.

A very pleasant Fado experience. I had a great time watching the fado show with it’s gentle music and singing. They also give you the background of fado and you end up with a glass of port at the end. It is reasonably priced too.

The Fado ao Centro is a music school and a well-known house of the typical Fado from Coimbra. It invites visitors to witness the open rehearsals that happen daily at 4 p.m. The live concerts are every afternoon at 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. The house also accepts appointments for performances for 8 or more people. If you're curious about what's in the region, take a look at the free audio guide at this link: https://izi.travel/en/c125-coimbra/en I hope you enjoy your time in Coimbra!

The perfect introduction to one of the most lovely traditions of Portugal. Fado ao Centro is a respectfully designed concert experience that creates a micro-space of culture, history and music where you can totally feel, at least for a bit, how it was to be around in Coimbra on those "golden years" of Fado. Recommendable, and if you are into music, mandatory.

An intimate recital and history of fado in Portugal played in front of about 40 patrons. It was a genuine experince of the music and culture of the country and thoroughly enjoyable.

Beautiful performance and good introduction to Fado music, even with a glass of port wine at the end.

My husband and I bought tickets online for Fado ao Centro after walking by during our visit to Coimbra, and running at just under an hour the performance was really charming and was a great addition to our trip. The performers not only sang and performed well, but they also shared a brief history of Coimbra style Fado. All of the narration was in português and English. I highly recommend checking this place out!

I’m always skeptical about paying to enter a church, however this was definitely worth the €2.50. Make sure you get the paper guide and follow it. It’s extremely informative and ensures you explore all of the cathedral.

Sé Velha in Coimbra is a captivating piece of history. This ancient cathedral, with its Romanesque charm, transports you to a bygone era. The solemn ambiance inside, marked by impressive stained glass and arches, adds to the spiritual experience. The intricate details of the portal and the serene cloisters reflect the craftsmanship of the past. Visiting Sé Velha is not just a journey through architecture; it's a connection to Coimbra's rich cultural heritage.

Lovely small and super ancient church, with a foundation stone left by the Visigoths. Also a very serene monestary addition with the coffin of the last Muslim ruler of the first Christian Portugal province

Likewise the capital's Se, this is the oldest Cathedral in Coimbra. It's set beneath the University square plateau. However the first appearance was bad due to heavy construction works going on all around it. It's a 12c Romanesque edifice with a fortress like exterior. Interiors, paying a few Euros are interesting to see, but skippable if you saw the Lisbon's as are pretty much the same.

The old (late- middle ages) cathedral of Coimbra is full of religious art and has been a place where local history happened. It is essential to visit the church with the claustro to appreciate this monumental landmark of Coimbra.

Beautiful church, with atmospheric inside. Worth seeing the monastery.

2.5e for the entrance fee. Access to the Romanesque church and the cloister. Quite informative about the tumultuous past of Coimbra.

Beautiful Romanesque cathedral with adjacent monastery. Some of the outside is currently under renovation. The main altarpiece has been added during the 1500's along with the Northern chapel dedicated to St. Peter. It tells the story of Mary and Jesus from birth to ascension. The chapel contains the retable of Jesus and the apostles. When I stepped inside, it felt majestic. It's a melange of really old foundation with some Renaissance art and architecture sprinkled on top.

This church, set just below the university campus in the hilltop, is another treasure of Coimbra. Combining an austere early church with a Gothic cloister from the thirteenth century, it is a must for architecture and history buffs. Entrance costs 2.50 euros.

There is an old cathedral and a new cathedral. I only visited the former. Tickets cost only Euro2.5 Besides the main hall, you also get to see an inner cloister.

A little jewel, absolutely worth the visit. If you manage to be there outside the peak hours you will enjoy the visit even more.

Love this Church. Must do the audio tour. It's really interesting to hear the history and importance of the pictures and carvings etc. I almost missed the audio tour qr code. It's on the table where you pay 2.5 euro to get in. Not many people in March. It's quite chilly in the church so dress appropriately.

A must visit place in Coimbra and the tickets are cheap. It is not crowded and tickets can be purchased at the cathedral. The cathedral is beautiful with amazing interiors, history and tombs. The courtyard and the view of the interiors surrounding the courtyard is amazing.

The construction of the old cathedral was financed by the first king of Portugal Afonso I the Great in the XII century. The cathedral building is designed in such a way that in case of trouble it can serve as a defensive structure. Entrance fee is 2 euros.

One of the best places in Coimbra! The park is fantastic, it's very calm and big. You can see trees and plants from all around the world, you can sit and read or relax! It has more than one entrance, it has a free bathroom and a greenhouse with tropical plants (however it's expensive, 12 euros). Overall a fantastic park and a must if you are in Coimbra! (It opens at 9 a.m )

Portugal has some lovely parks and gardens, but this one was my favourite. It's full of lovely trees, plants and shady corners. There is plenty of seating and beautiful sights. It was a true pleasure to explore the gardens on a hot afternoon. The whole park is well maintained and a genuine joy. It's entirely free!

Beautiful garden in the middle of the city. Breathtaking views and ambiance. Perfect place to relax after sightseeing. The bamboo forest was an unexpected surprise!

A peaceful oasis in the picturesque, historic city of Coimbra. It features exotic and endemic species of plants if you take your time to really admire the plants. I highly recommend visiting this garden if you have 2-3 hours during a sunny day here.

Beautiful garden, some maintenance needed to keep paths clear and clean. Some paths are accessible for people, others are exclusively stair case only.

I visited for a few hours and didn’t want to leave it’s so peaceful and relaxing, I enjoyed listening to the birds and seeing all the flowers and sculptures

Interesting and beautiful botanical gardens that are free to enter. The 4 sense garden was very well done and would be great for children to learn about various herbs and plants or for the visually impaired. The magnolias and camellias were blooming and there are many interesting stone arches and other architectural elements. There is a large glasshouse but entry requires RSVP. Did you know bamboo can grow as fast as 5 cm per hour?!

I love this place so much. The ticket comes together with the university of Coimbra together. It's a nice garden with somehow take you to Magical experience. Lots of flowers, statues and gates. This garden closed at 8 pm. Nice place to visit in Coimbra

Specious and very well maintained. A lot of variety of trees and flowers. The glass house needs reservations and we couldn't visit it. Lovely park for relaxing and recharging. Free of charge.

Absolutely stunningly beautiful place for a wander. There’s a huge bamboo forest, multiple greenhouses, and the oldest heart of the garden is really beautiful. I particularly enjoyed the sensory garden, where there are all kinds of odd plants to touch, smell, and even taste!

I think this is my best memory from Coimbra. Such an amazing, lucious garden with a bamboo forest in the middle of it

Lovely place to walk around. They also have a forrest part. Lots of stairs tho

What a wonderful botanical garden. This is part of the University of Coimbra and it is quite large. I was impressed by the bamboo forest which I was not expecting. The overall garden is very pleasant to walk in and it offers several spots where you can have a sit in the shade during sunny days. Very surprisingly this is a place you can visit for free! If you are in Coimbra I think this is one of the places you don't want to miss!

Nice way to walk down after the university instead of through town. Some big beautiful trees and the bamboo forest was very nice. Nothing amazing as botanical gardens go. You need a reservation to go into the greenhouse of tropical plants, but can see them from outside. We were a couple of weeks shy of all the blooming trees and flowers, bit some were just starting to bloom.

This is a beautiful property. Tour the historic gardens. Our room was great. The staff are warm and helpful. The restaurant (Arcadas) is a real deal for high-end, inventive cuisine. Breakfast was very good (the woman staffing the omelet station was friendly, organized and fast.) If you have your own car, be aware that you drive into a small iron gate and ring the staff to let you in. Also be aware that Google maps guides you to the wrong (service) entrance.

Fabulous hotel. Luxurious, grand historical palace. Very near the historical center so very convenient for tourist things. Also a great spa gym complex. The fine dining experience here was a highlight of our time in Portugal. The chestnut soup was divine, one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. The breakfasts were very good as well. Lots of healthy choices, from fruit to high quality granola cereal. Custom omelets are available. And the coffee while not awful was drinkable. And when a cappuccino was ordered it came piping hot & richly flavored. The staff were very helpful. They went out of their way to make our stay totally amazing. If you’re traveling to Coimbra I’d highly recommend this property.

The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Rooms are decent and the price was fair. What shines here is the history of the place, the old part of the hotel, library and of course the gardens and their history. On the downside, the spa didn’t really impress.

What an amazing experience to stay in this heritage property!! Its a beautiful hotel, the rooms, the service, its botanical gardens, the quiet and the luxury. We booked last moment and were even lucky to get upgraded to a garden room. The hotel is also a tourist spot for its botanical garden which go years back into 1800s, and have some fascinating stories to discover. Keep an hour to go around the garden, walk the trail up into the woods, and enjoy the nature and peace. They have a booklet which will give you the a good induction into the history of their botanical gardens, or you can ask for a personal tour from the hotel, which costs Euro 25. Anyone visiting Coimbra, I would strongly recommend to keep this property in your shortlist.

We spent a night at Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas. The property's lush gardens and elegant architecture are a testament to its rich heritage, authentic decor, beautiful gardens and the luxurious amenities, provided an impressive ambient. We stayed at the modern part of the hotel which was overall nice and clean though some of the furniture is running down. To my great disappointment we were greeted with an incredibly nasty front desk staff. Despite his impressive knowledge of the hotel and city’s history, his rudeness towards guests was unacceptable. He spoke to us with a very negative demeanour and lack of hospitality and humility toward us who just arrived from another city. He also lacked attention to details and wrote the wrong guest name on the welcome package and even made an assumption that I am married to the other guest. This is highly insensitive and offensive. As the interaction evolved, I felt increasing unsafe and afterward the staff even displayed non-verbal communication cues which I viewed as hostile. It is unfortunate that such a stunning property is marred with such unprofessional behaviour. He required an intensive retraining class on basic communication for luxury level accommodation. His poor service was so negative that it ruined my day and detracted the overall experience. The facility outside of the room also had portions which were run down or under maintenance including the outdoor pool. In conclusion, while Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas boasts an impressive history and beautiful setting, the rude front desk staff detracts from the experience and raises questions about the hotel's Michelin guide and small luxury hotel of the world status. This is unfortunately a very sharp contrast to other establishments I have visited around the world with similar accolades. I hope that the management takes steps to address this issue and ensure that all guests receive the warm and welcoming service they deserve.

This is Portugals version of “Hotel California” So let’s start with the good - man can they make a bed. For me, that was the extent of it. GREETING: We were greeted by one of the concierges and demanded that he take our luggage from the car to our room even though I wanted to keep a bag with me. Outside by my car, he hovered over me like I was in Russia and would not even keep a safe distance - be it COVID space or just plain personal space. When he brought us our bags 20 minutes later, he fumbled around wasting time until he got a tip. It was just seemed so forced. Also, I purchased the hotel cookbook as the chef had a lot of his recipes in there. I asked for the book and they went to put it in a bag and I said “Oh I don’t want a bag please, just the book” and he said “The bag is free, so I’ll just put it in the bag”. I responded with an “I’m sorry but I don’t want…” as he walked right by me and sat at his desk to take my €20. I just kept my mouth closed and left the bag in the room, but it just felt so “You wheel take zee bag because vee sayed so” (say that in oppressive Russian). THE ROOM: The room was about a football (UK or American doesn’t matter) away from everything. They renovated and combined two rooms I’m figuring sometime in 1966. That or they went mid-century modern. The bathroom was large with 2 sinks separated by a tiled shower stall and giant glass doors, but the toilet/bidet combo had the door removed (holes still the tile and ceiling) so there was no privacy. I will say this - the staff can make a bed! Second to none I’ve ever experienced. FOOD: Now from what I understand, there is a Michelin star chef that works the dinner restaurant. HE DOES NOT WORK THE LUNCH AREA! We decided to do lunch the first day in and what a disappointment. My cod salad was just arugula with boiled veggies and over-salted cod placed on top. The bones were still in the small pieces of fish and I was given no warning along with a ton of black skin left on. My wife had some kind of over-salted boiled chicken in gravy dish that she did not eat and the final price for a less than mediocre lunch was nearly €60!! Needless to say we did not chance eating lunch or dinner there. Breakfast was actually kind of good - lots of variety, but easily the worst “side of the road diner” coffee you will ever have. It has no strength and when they pour the milk ( you are not allowed to pour your own) it comes out like Niagara Falls so you end up getting a 50-50 ratio. THE SUPPORT STAFF: THEY WERE EXCELLENT! Our rooms were made up and they were alway cheerful. The breakfast serving staff were fantastic. CONCLUSION: I care not that the place says it is 5 stars or has a Michelin star chef, I would NEVER stay here again nor would I recommend it to any of my friends. I am sure it worked for a lot of people , but not us.

This place is by no means "luxury", if I were the manager I would be embarrassed by the condition of this property. It's way past its prime and needs a complete makeover. The carpets in the hallways are threadbare, the spa is dated and feels dirty, An ashtray full of cigarette butts sits on the ledge by the front door. Outdoor patio furniture had no cushions. Area where you entered the pool had a bunch of things just tossed into the corner. The first room we were given reeked of mold and upon closer inspection literally had mold visibly growing on the wallpaper. I wish I had taken a picture. The furniture was pretty beat up and the side table next to the bed had a chip off the edge. They easily moved us to a different room which they said was an upgrade, it didn't have mold but it was not in great shape. On a positive note, the staff were very nice and breakfast was very good. I cannot recommend this hotel, and I would never stay here again.

Very nice hotel with great hospitality and perfect location. The maintenance is disapointing anf it feels like it has weakened a few years back. The rooms are old fashioned. The garden is BEAUTIFUL!!Breakfast is nice but not great. Service is super nice !

I have no words to describe how much I loved this place. The rooms, the service, the gardens… and of course the history of Inés and Pedro. I don’t usually write reviews on hotels, but in this case I had to. 100% sure I would recommend it.👏🏼

Wonderful experience at Quinta das Lagrimas. The staff goes out of their way to make sure you are comfortable. The gardens and grounds are truly beautiful and second to none. The pool is beautiful and serene, surrounded by lush countryside. The spa is relaxing and welcoming. For a 5 star hotel, the gym could have been a little better, but it's a small inconvenience for such a beautiful location

Wonderful place to have an event in. Perfect spots for pictures and lots of open space to explore. The rooms were spacious and the food is fancy, not really what Portuguese food is all about but still a good experience

Excellent hotel, great staff, wine & food. Gardens are lovely too, there's even a driving range if you want to hit a few balls (and a very short 9 hole pitch and putt too!)

It is a beautiful old palatial estate, with gardens, fountains, and pools. The main entry is iconic, but rooms in “lobby” are many and musty. It would be fun, if they had a piano bar in one of the many rooms or games…some form of entertainment. Which leads to the fact that you are over a mile out of Coimbra, which I didn’t realize when I booked this property, which was my mistake. We did actually enjoy the walk once we found the pedestrian bridge, but multiple times a day got very tiring, so took some taxis. Breakfast is lovely, especially in the garden. Our room was small, but bathroom was large and nicely appointed. We enjoyed our stay very much.

I came here at the last minute and it was a wonderful surprise. We stayed in one of their suites. Everything about the hotel was friendly and lovely-- especially for the price. The staff are absolutely fantastic. We ate dinner at the fine dining restaurant and it was very nice. The bar has a courtyard and garden seating. Breakfast in the garden is always a nice experience. The gardens are also fantastic and we enjoyed wandering them. You can walk to the old town (but they suggest a taxi up). We will come back and stay for a longer time. Thank you

Very nice hotel with all the amenities you need. Staff was very helpful and courteous. Breakfast was included was one of the better buffet breakfasts we've had, as it included a chef cooking eggs and pancakes / waffles to order. There's a beautiful garden next outside of the main restaurant and a few fountains on site that were great to visit at night. The location is not far from the downtown - it's perfect to get a ride across the river into town and then wander back while stopping at a few cafes along the way.

As of 18th November the Monastery (and even the grounds next to it) are still closed. This is of course understandable since it is a research site. What remains for visitors is an interesting 15 minute video (with English subtitles), but the archaeological displays, which is the only other main thing there, does not have English translations.

This was a gem. I appreciate all the work these conservators have done to the place. A ticket is about a euro per adult so definitely make time to stop by this place. Hopefully the next time I visit I can enter the church itself.

Fascinating place with a lot of history behind it. You find out what it was, how the place looked before and all the influences it had on the city of Coimbra, and then walk inside it to fully experience it.

4 eur entrance fee. In June is still closed to the public. We visited on the outside and is still worth it.

Definitely worth paying a visit if you are interested in old monasteries. This one has a long and rich story and a great museum on the premises. Come visit and support further work on this pearl

Museum allows access to a walkway where you can view the ruins of the monastery but it doesn't allow you to come inside of it. Entrance is a bit tricky to find too - you have to go around the whole area before getting to it. There's an exhibit you can also view and a documentary that we didn't get to watch since the wait time is too long. I recommend skipping it if you don't have a lot of time visiting Coimbra.

This place is underrated. It's a bit hard to get there uphill, but it's doable. Just cross the river by foot or bus and climb for 5-7 minutes. I suggest buying the full ticket,its only 5 euro.

Lovely old cathedral with some interesting tombs, fine moorish tiles and a beautiful cloister

The expanse of space at Monteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha is a feast for the eyes. The structure of the 13th Century Monastery is impressive. When we entered through the parking lot, we were greeted by stone walls. We walked to the entrance and was greeted by the massive monastic structure. Entrance is €4 per person. The 15 minutes video on the life of the nuns is in Portuguese with English subtitles. There is a Cafe serving expresso or Americano coffee with some pastries with both internal and external seating options to admire the Monastery from a distance. At 41°C minus the humidity, we were not tempted to walk the length of the field to the Monastery. It was hot, really hot.

This is a amazing site with so much history. Well worth a visit if you have time.

I have visited this museum countless times before and was very excited to show it to my eldest daughter, who is now doing the subject of the Roman Empire for History at school. Kids pay more attention to things they have contact with and can recognize in their books. She loved it, and we had loads of fun. Drag your children to museums at every opportunity. Even if they go kicking and screaming, they'll thank you later. 😊

Wonderful museum with excellent exhibits. The restaurant has really good food too so it's a great way to split up you time touring the museum.

This museum is very worth it and it just cost 3 euro for the ticket. Many amazing old sculptures, painting and historical artifacts. Although some of the exhibition were closed when we visiting, it still took us 1 and half hours to view it all.

It's incredible to wander through the cryptopotico (lower level of a Roman building) within this museum. This is an amazing museum, and the staff is enthusiastic about history, is knowledgeable and assists visitors in their journey through the exhibits.

interesting facts re Roman times. A lot of religious artefacts. Good views from windows

Excellent museum which takes about 2.5 hours to see. Friendly, helpful staff throughout. Much more to see over 5 floors than I'd expected.

A really fantastic museum, exploring the Roman tunnels were a highlight of our trip.

A must visit museum if you are in Coimbra. They have some of the best and well displaced pieces in the exhibit. Sadly, when we went, two of the exhibits were closed due to water logging issues. But what we appreciated was that they mentioned this right at the beginning and give us reduced price tickets. The staff was super nice and polite. They also have a good cafeteria in the museum. The vie if the city from the museum is pretty awesome too.

Nice, well organized collection. Budget 1 - 2 hours for the visit.

A wonderful museum with a very well done exposition. Very calm, no crowds. The audio guided tour takes about 3+ hours. This museum and University library is a must-see in Coimbra.

I have visited hundreds of museums throughout Europe, from Norway to Greece, from Scotland to Russia. And, except for the two or three cases of "universal museums" like the Louvre and the British Museum, I can't remember of one more complete than this one. The number of items on exhibition is enormous and the scope covers 2,000 years or more. You'll find pottery, metal crafts, painting (not the forte of this museum) and an amazing collection of sculpture, including some Visigothic rare examples. The highlight is maybe the extensive underground Roman ruins, remarkably preserved, which are part of the ancient city of Aeminium.

One of the best museums I’ve been to. It has brilliant collections, well organised into small spaces, so it feels a breeze to walk through. Yet it also has this quality where you’re surprised to find yet one more room with amazing things. Add in the unique Roman ruins underneath and it makes for a brilliant experience, full of surprises.

Wonderful experience especially the cryptoporticus. The staff are very helpful, this is a must see if you are in Coimbra for more than 1 day.

Amazing city to visit, so underrated. Full of life,great food, still reasonably priced, kind locals, great history and amazing coffee!! Good walking hills or flat down by the river.

We only visited the crypt. This is absolutely mind blowing. Started 50 years AD and 3 centuries to complete. A must visit while in Coimbra

The Machado de Castro Museum is composed of a group of buildings that, by themselves, already deserve the attention of visitors. Its structure dates to an architecture with 2000 years of history. The oldest is the 1st century Roman Cryptoporticus, followed by the cloister of the old church of the 11th century, the remodelling of Dom Afonso de Castelo Branco from the 16th century, which introduced the balconies, and finally annexed to the museum, the new Church of St. John of the 17th century, found just next to the main entrance. In addition to the architecture and collections it exhibits, the museum also hosts educational activities and projects open to the general public, such as allowing visitors to experience what it is like to be a curator, living the backstage life of the museum. If you're curious about what's in the region, take a look at the free audio guide at this link: https://izi.travel/en/c125-coimbra/en I hope you enjoy your time in Coimbra!

Full entry for adults is 8 EUR. 70% of the museum exhibitions are religious subjects, the rest is made by tiles. The basement is very large, but it's just walls and a few statues. You can pay by card.

I really enjoyed my visit to this church & monastery.Actually, I'd even go as far as saying it's my highlight of Coimbra. The lady selling the tickets €4 (monastery & cloister)/main church itself is free,was friendly and very helpful with information. It was a very tranquil visit through the rooms and cloister. If you look closely, very closely at the exhibit, you might even spot the skull Theotonius of Coimbra (c. 1082 - 1162) being the first prior of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal. He is celebrated as the reformer of religious life in Portugal, and is the first Portuguese saint.

I would highly recommend anyone to pay the very reasonable 3 Euros to see beyond the church so you can experience the amazing architecture, artefacts, and atmosphere of this Portuguese National Monument. Although self-guided, the man who sold the tickets helpfully explained in which direction I should go. There is so much to see and soak in! The entire monastery is breathtaking. Despite not being overly religious I almost felt like taking holy orders just to live in such a peaceful and glorious place. The history is fascinating - a definite "must see" in Coimbra. Not least for the tombs of the first two Portuguese kings.

There is a 3€ fee to visit but it is worth it. The staff member Maria is extremely kind and will take her time to explain some facts. You wil also see the tomb of the 2 first kings of Portugal.

It is a surprisingly rich site which includes the tombs of the first kings of Portugal, magnificent tiled panels, an ancient organ and an amazing wood work in the ceremonial chairs in the high choir. Meanwhile, be aware that the type of soft stone it is made of (specially the façade and the cloister, along with the statues and bas-reliefs, is crumbling into sand. It is a sad circumstance that no one seems capable to avoid. This monument is literally vanishing, slowly, before our eyes.

Museum - amazing! A very big and interesting heritage collection from different ages of the religion in Portugal, also Martyrs of Morroco.

Magical!!!! The church is free to enter but for 3 E you can see so much more. A beautiful cloister and the tombs of the first 2 kings of Portugal. It's all a must see!!! The lady, Maria, that works there is so sweet and helpful.

Highlight of my Coimbra visit. This church houses the tombs of the first and second kings of Portugal. To view them up close, you have to pay Euro4 and you get to enter from the side. The ticket also allows you to view their cloister, sanctuary, cathedral, sacristies and museum. Plan for at least an hour. You can listen to voice narratives at each of the stations by scanning the QR codes. Bring your earbuds.

A monastic complex - a church and tombs of Portuguese Kings. Situated at the end of the pedestrian zone it can't be missed.

Amazing experience. Important historical point of Coimbra, first capital of Portugal. Highly recommended.

Very old church with a paid museum area (4€/person). Spend 30-40 minutes touring. Beautiful and a can’t miss if you are in the downtown area of Coimbra.

Amazing warm welcome by the cashier Maria who also took the time to introduce us a little bit. Much appreciated the superb welcome by such an Angel! Well worth to pay some for this beautiful site. Very nice architecture and a superb Monastery. Peaceful and beautiful. We highly recommend a visit.

It is magnificent from top to bottom. It is one of the two most@important churches in the town. It is located right at the center of Praca Maio 8. Don’t miss it. Recommended.

someone very close to me used to say this, Portugal will be a great place without the Portuguese ppl. University of Coimbra has beautiful buildings with astonishing history, great students with studious attitude and desire to experience life, but some senior staffs (at least to my experience) can be a tiny little.bit of conservative and old fashioned. I understand why they reacted this way when a person speaking to them a language they did not understand. But still, a tiny smile wouldn't hurt. ok, I know 99.99% of Portuguese are lovely, especially the young ones, but still, for my psychological health, I need to rant～

I mean it is made of different massive buildings and it looks really nice. There is a great history behind it. The only thing is that some parts of the university are subject to entrance fee and it sounds not right.

Quite an interesting place to visit, though I had to admit I expected to see more rooms. Some were closed for restoration or not allowed to be seen by tourists, etc. There is a chance to see the library, the chapel and the botanical gardens as well. Definitely see the library- it is the highlight of the tour for sure! One thing that I believe is strange is that you need to buy tickets like 3 blocks away and then walk to the university- what’s the sense? It’s a mystery and inconvenience for sure.

Paid museum areas (library and chapel) let down by clock watching staff pushing you to go either faster or slower. Not really sure what the reason was, I see no need for such overly strict enforcement of time. If it’s for covid it’s completely counter intuitive as it squashed everyone together.

The university is one of the oldest in the world, the oldest in Portugal, and played an influential role in Portuguese academic history. Now is declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It's definitely worth seeing.

Half day left in Portugal trip, I've decided to go to the oldest university in the world and was amazing how the beauty of this university was. Unfortunately it was under construction and many spots were closed. Looks like I have to come back here again. lol

One of the oldest universities in the world is truly impressive. It is worth a visit

Coimbra University is one of the oldest in Europe dating back to late 13 century, and still the biggest one in Portugal. Visiting it's grounds is the best thing you can do in this town. There're several types of tickets, depending how much you want to see. We found the basic ticket (around 12 Euros) to be more than sufficient as it includes the Chemical laboratory, University Palace (which served as seat of power in 12-13 c when Coimbra was a capital), as well the astonishing Sao Miguel Chapel and Joanina Library. BEWARE you cannot buy tickets on the spot at the University square. Tickets for the entire University complex are sold across the Chemical Laboratory which is around the corner of the new Se Cathedral (some 10 min walk from the University square itself). Very illogical, but that's it - do that first to avoid double walking like we did. Count on around 2-3 hours for entire visit.

We had a brief visit at the University of Coimbra. They do have pay toilets. We were able to take a tour of the library. Photos and videos are prohibited inside the library. Please be careful as the rope stantions are very sharp and can snag your clothes. Other than that, it is very beautiful and impressive.

The university reference of the country, his name is known overseas. Long prosperity at the university and its various buildings which make the charm of Coimbra. UNESCO heritage!

Coimbra university is the oldest and most famous in Portugal. A Unesco heritage site is an absolute must for the visitor. It takes some time to wander around and inside the various buildings. Climbing the stairway up the roof is not for the timid people and gives a wonderful view around the city. The old royal chappel is nice. Nevertheless the jewel in the crown is the old library, Biblioteca Joanina in baroque style. You must book your ticket to it in advance, as you may find it sold out. You also need a guide. I payed 20 euros to join the guided tour at 11am on Sunday. The tour is normally in Portuguese only. As it happened that I was the only tour member(!!) I had the guide to myself and also available for some questions in english. There were several other groups. It takes close to an hour and half to follow any tour. No pictures are allowed in the library but my money was well invested.

What a beautiful university. The buildings are mesmerising. It is located above the hills so we can see Coimbra from the top. Make sure to visit Joanina library because it is so beautiful. One of the most beautiful libraries in the world. You need to buy tickets in advance and there is a timed visit for the library. They only have a guided visit for the library because the library is very old and they want to preserve the interior. Worth to visit.

A great half day trip. The church was nice, the palace was good but the bibliotheca (library) was fantastic. A 13 euro entry fee was well worth it. The gift shop was good too. (No pictures of the bibliotheca because they don’t allow it)

The university was a part of our tour in Coimbra and it deserves attention. It is high rated and also makes the life of the city very colorful. Many Portuguese historical figures attended the University.

The university of Coimbra is a university with a long history. There are its school palace, clock tower, university prison, chapel inside. It take functions as an observatory that overlooks the entire city of coimbra, because it was located on a hill. The huge statue of the university's founder in the playground is a sight to see. There are buildings built between 16th and 18th centuries, and students are still studying in those buildings. In particular, the Joania library built in 18th century have many books, gorgeous books bindings, and bookshelves. Those give us a glimpse of how important the king and the country placed books.

This university has wonderful heritage building....very nice architecture with a church and museum. The students are very enthusiastic about guiding throughout the campus. The university has an amazing library also and the structure is very nice. The campus also has a church where all the students can pray. The museum also includes the palace where the king has a court. From the university, one can get the beautiful scenery of Coimbra city and also the beautiful Mondego river.

Excellent place to walk with the family on a Sunday morning near Mondego river in Coimbra city. You have good places to have a coffee, drink or launch. Here you will feel the energy of nature. Must visit.

A lovely green space for children to play, ride their bicycles, etc. It has a playground. It has an area for older children to play volleyball, it has a skateboard ring. There are lots of trees that one can sit under and have a picnic. There are also restaurants by the river, if you prefer. People do paddleboarding and canoeing and other water sports. It is a wonderful place to go with the whole family, including your dogs.

Oh I love this park very much, close to the downtown, just next to the river and restaurants, also there is a playground for kids, lovely bridge. There is a big parking close to the park where you can leave your car, no problem with a parking spot. I was in there just in a time where started a christmas event- plenty of attraction for kids and grown. I hope to visit it again.

Amazing view and a great place to hang out and relax

Beautiful park by the river. Lovely restaurants, playground, and beautiful bridge to cross to the other side

A beautiful place near the river to spend some time. Sometimes its a little too crowded.

Great park, right on the river. A couple of nice restaurants and a small museum. Nice to stroll around.

The park was good, only the ice skating (plastic surface), wasn't good. Nobody could enjoy the attraction nicely, because it was very slippery.

A really nice place to visit for a peaceful break. It's located by Coimbra city center, and not too crowded. Also, it's easy to park nearby. Food, beverage.... are readily available. It will be super wonderful when the leaves turn to red in autumn.

Lovely park! Great area for a walk, run, picnic, stroll, outdoor workout or yoga. Plenty of places to go within the park, including the iconic bridge that looks like it doesn't go all the way across (but it does) with its neat history of being built for an unrequited love. There is a duck pond, and a massive statue of a teddy bear (which I loved because I love bears!). There are public restrooms & at least one little kiosk at which you can buy ice cream, snacks, beverages or beer. Highly recommend!

Love it!beautiful green space on the river, running track, pedestrian Bridge to the open air swimming pool and river sports place. Food vans, play area, exercise equipment.

Nice park with lots of beaches.

Perfect park, very relaxing and chilled out. It's a must if your in coimbra

Nice to walk along the river, over the walking bridge and back, giving great views of the city. There is potential to make the waterfront a lot better, clean up the rubbish floating on the edge.

Just in the center of the city and near the cathedral. Even when it is a little small, take a look because is very well kept.

Wonderful landscape with a great view of Coimbra city

The Almedina Tower was part of the main defence at the most vulnerable point of the Castle of Coimbra. It is one of its few remains and houses the centre of the city wall, which belongs to the Municipal Museum of Coimbra. This mediaeval structure offers a rich cultural space to the visitor. You can appreciate the structure of the tower, its panoramic view of the city, and ring the bell, which was once responsible for alerting the city of any threat. The museum also features a video about the mediaeval history of the city and the wall protection, explains defence techniques that were used, and exposes scale models showing the evolution of Coimbra in time, along with the permanent and temporary collections it hosts. Its entrance is on the opposite side of the Archway of Almedina. If you're curious about what's in the region, take a look at the free audio guide at this link: https://izi.travel/en/c125-coimbra/en I hope you enjoy your time in Coimbra!

Good little museum, with nice service and useful information. It provides an understanding about the city’s history and has nice views.

Steep entrance to the old town containing the municipal museum.

Nice walk, full of history!

It is part of the medieval defence of the city

Cool

What an ugly piece of bridge! Can't a beautiful city like Coimbra do better than that? All bridges that had been built hundreds of years ago look more charming, trustworthy, clean than this design disaster.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I have always found this bridge aesthetically pleasing, although not everyone shares this opinion. Make your own mind up, but view it at night as well as the day.

Makes life much easier for crossing the river and offers a great alternative to the other bridge that has cars on it. Beautiful view, atmosphere and especially at night when it's lit up.

This is the bridge which takes you over to the lovely town of Coimbra. Unfortunately the Motorhome aire by the river Medigo is no longer in use but if you have plenty of water and an empty cassette you can park in an area on the opposite side of the river . Plenty of room to park out of season and the town is worth a visit.

Perfectly placed for a great view of the old town, and the parks on both sides are great too!

Lovely views of the river, very relaxing

Beautiful bridge, very nice if you are crossing the river in evening time.

I really do not know what to say about this bridge. I walked all the way down from the university and there is nothing really special about it. You can take photos of the river and the city.

My favourite part of Coimbra. 🏞️🛶

Great place for short walk and amazing view of the city!

Great bridge to walk across and enjoy the river views and of course the colors in the bridge

A beautiful pedestrian bridge across the Mondego River. The sides are made with coloured glass panels. I've been participating in the window cleaning protect in the summer of 2022. It looks even more beautiful with the clear glass.