Coimbra tour: downtown, historic center, university and botanic garden

Duration: 2h and 45min
Languages: English, Spanish
Guru: João
Quality Verified Registered on August 30, 2018

Born and raised in the beautiful and historic city of Coimbra. I have a degree in anthropology and a master in management and planning of cultural heritage from the University of Coimbra). I like my city, I like history, I like meeting new people ... I will introduce you to Coimbra with original themed itineraries.

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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

This is an original tour, we explore the university, historical center, and also maybe (depending on the time/ group) the left bank. It is a visit to the most historical area and one of the newest areas of the city in recent years (but which has its important historical and social charm in the city). Usually, the tourists do not visit the left bank, no tours there, and therefore now there are no amazing places, traditions, and stories (very famous in Portugal). I want to give you a broader and different perspective of the city. We will talk about the history, society, and traditions of Coimbra and Portugal... be ready to walk!

I have a lot of things to tell you about the city/ Portugal. If you don't like history... if you are not ready to walk, think very well... the city has a lot of things/stories (and hills) to discover...

Itinerary: 

  • Largo da Portagem
  •  Baixa 
  • Historic Center 
  • University 
  • Botanical Garden... 
  • after the garden, we can come back directly to the meeting point. 


 I kindly ask you to be at the right time for the tours to start. If you arrive later, or if you don't make the tour, please let me know whenever you can.

 Any delay means that: we may not have time to visit some historical places in the city (or we have to do it very fast), because betweenOctober/March season, some historical sites close early... or there can sometimes be big events in the city, and starting at the right time of the tour, we manage to avoid large crowds in certain areas of the city. Any delay, can  lead the guide having to be more strict about time management and sometimes having to speak a little faster or speaking less. The city has several hills, which with any unforeseen event makes it even more difficult to carry out any tour in coimbra. The guide has also another things to do, my life it's not only tours!

 Bringing comfortable, lightweight shoes for the tour is a good idea. it is a city with hills, and with some medieval streets.

If you come between May/October, the sun is often strong, it's very hot. A hat, and sunscreen to protect the skin may also be needed.


If for any reason you want to book the tour, or i just have one place, but you are a small group (3/4 people max.) but the booking it's unable, send me a message. I will send a message, i will tell you my availability!

If you have a large group and have problems with the reservation, write me via WhatsApp or private message via Guruwalk (tell me the number of people , language and tour time) !

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Largo da Portagem 16, 3000-337 Coimbr...
    Largo da Portagem 16, 3000-337 Coimbra, Portugal
    View on map

    In front of Agência Banco de Portugal, Largo da Portagem. I have a green shirt and a blue bottle

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Praça do Comércio

    Parties, cultural events in Coimbra sometimes happens here. On this square he find some traditional shops and two historical churches. In coimbra, some very important good and bad things happened here in the past...

  • 2
    Free admission
    Monasterio de Santa Cruz

    National pantheon, this monastery was also in the past a prestigious artistic and cultural school... here studied one the the most famous names for the catolic church... who is? I will tell you later. *we can visit the church, other places only with ticket

  • 3
    Outside visit
    Sé Velha - Coimbra

    The old cathedral, is from 12th century. Here was crowned one portuguese king. On the square where is locate this cathedral, takes place one the most famous portuguese nights, it's a Coimbra tradition... are you curious? Later i will tell you more things.

  • 4
    Outside visit
    Torre de Almedina

    One of the castle tower's that we still have in Coimbra. Inside there is a museum about the city, and the castle.

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Torre de Anto

    Another castle tower. Inside is small museum about the Coimbra's Fado and the Coimbra's Guitar. What is Coimbra Fado? Later you will know 🙂

  • 6
    Outside visit
    Universidade de Coimbra

    We will see from outside the oldest university in Portugal and one the oldests universities in Europe. It was founded in 1290. Are you ready to listen a lot's of stories and curiosities about this wonderful place!

  • 7
    Outside visit
    Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra

    The amazing University botanical garden, founded in 18th century, shows plants and threes from all over the world. This garden is large. From october to march, the garden closes at 5h30 pm (to go down the garden we must be there, the maximum at 5h10 pm). Our tour starts at 3pm if we don't have time to visit the garden, we will see other interesting places (the republic square, and mango garden)

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

395 ratings
4.8
By category
Professionalism
4.85
Fun
4.48
Expression
4.63
Quality
4.82
Route
4.83
Generic
5 stars
337
4 stars
42
3 stars
15
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Linda 30 Mar 2023
Potomac

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Mar 2023
Joao was an excellent academic-style tour guide. He went above and beyond and provided excellent information. He gave us a lot of time and the tour group really appreciated it. Coimbra is a historic town and the history he shared was very interesting.
Donna 27 Mar 2023
Sacramento

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Mar 2023
Learned so much from an extremely knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend. There is a lot more to Coimbra than I realized!
Maryann 27 Mar 2023
Longmont

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Mar 2023
I've taken guru walks in different countries and can honestly say that this was a superb tour. Joau is extremely knowledgeable about his city. I learned so much history and thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Seba... 23 Mar 2023
Bochum

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Mar 2023
During the stay in Coimbra we decided to join a walking tour to get some overview and background information about the city We learned something about old and modern day history od Portugal but also about students life and culinary highlights. João is an excellent guide, who is passionate about his city and answers all questions patiently. I would recommend the tour and also to spend some time in the city which is beautiful and has some good vibes!
Michael 23 Mar 2023
San Jose

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Mar 2023
Great tour of Coimbra with João!
Show 395 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts reservations up to 16 people.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 4 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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