Coimbra

Meet the locals

Discover three amazing Portuguese cities: Porto, Nazaré, and Óbidos with a bus sightseeing tour from Lisbon. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Portugal and feel inspired by the architecture, history, and culture of these beautiful cities. Get comfortable in an air-conditioned vehicle as you start your journey toward the town of Óbidos, where we will start with a guided tour accompanied by a local guide. Completely surrounded by ancient walls and preserving all its medieval charm, Óbidos is one of the most famous and visited places in Portugal, and a must-see in the surroundings of Lisbon. The narrow cobbled streets that can be seen in Óbidos will immediately transport you to a medieval atmosphere. These streets are home to perfectly preserved old houses, historic buildings, and important monuments. Dominating the historic center in the highest part of the village, visit the Castle of Óbidos, which is declared one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. Start at the village main gate, and discover the amazing narrow streets outside of the beaten track. Visit the secret Jewish neighborhood and its white-painted houses with some great spots to take pictures. Walk along Rua Dereita, the most famous street, full of stores and traditional restaurants, and get to the castle of Óbidos. It was built in the 12th-century, although it has Roman constructions in its beginnings. It can be said that it is one of the best preserved and largest fortresses of the country, being listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. From there, you will clearly see the great wall of Óbidos, another of the town’s great symbols. Continue the trip heading to possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré, where you will visit the Forte de Sao Miguel. This site has become world-famous for the giant wave that hits its coast every winter and attracts lots of surfers from all over the world. Then, walk through O Sitio, where the famous streets present a collection of religious buildings and are a hugely popular site for pilgrims from all around the globe. Hike your way up to the summit, where you'll find medieval fortifications, 17th-century churches, and modern shrines. Wander the courtyards and plazas surrounded by ornate structures, basilicas, and statues. Next, head to Oporto, the last stop of the day. First you will have 1h to have a typical Portuguese lunch on your own to regain energy, and then, the visit will start. A vibrant 1.5-hour walking tour, where you will admire the stunning Old Town on the picturesque Douro River, complete with six bridges, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Igreja Carmen, Estação São Bento, Igreja São Francisco and Ponte Don Luis. At the end of your tour, you will return to the center of Lisbon and your guide will recommend things to do during the rest of your stay.

Casa Fado ao Centro is a cultural project created in Coimbra in 2010. All of the musicians and collaborators are or were university students in Coimbra. Decorated with the belongings of the musicians, the walls are lined with history. The concerts are cultural events. In an intimate setting, you will embark on a journey through the unique sound of Fado de Coimbra, and through the most important moments in the city's history. At the end, enjoy a Port wine tasting with the musicians to interact with them and learn about their craft.

Enjoy a Train ride tour through the historic area of Coimbra with explanatory audio system in each carriage at each landmark in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French (The audio is generally transmitted one language (Portuguese, Spanish, English and French) at a time through the train speakers located in each carriage.) Explore Coimbra's rich history and culture in a comfortable and informative way. This unique experience allows you to discover the most emblematic points of the city, from the majestic University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the charming Sé Velha and the picturesque medieval streets. With the audio guide, each location comes to life with fascinating stories and interesting facts, providing a complete immersion in Coimbra's tradition and historic landmarks. Whether you're a lover of history, culture or simply a curious traveler, this visit offers an affordable and engaging way to discover the secrets and beauty of this university city. Embark on this trip and let yourself be enchanted by ancient and modern Coimbra, learning about its crucial role in the formation of Portugal and its cultural legacy that continues to this day. The train does not make stops during the journey, the starting point is the same arrival point, that is, its only stop. The tourist train can be boarded at three points: 1) Avenida João das Regras #318. 2) At the front of the Portugal dos Pequenitos theme park entrance. 3) Rua Larga 2, 3000-370 / Central Building (Polo I) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra.

Explore the spiritual heart of Portugal by visiting Fátima, a place known for the Marian apparitions that first occurred on May 13th, 1917. Discover the Sanctuary, the Basilica, and the Apparitions Chapel. In the afternoon, head to the beautiful city of Coimbra, where you can tour the University district, the Cathedral, and the Historic Centre. Sanctuary of Fátima: This is a major pilgrimage site and one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world. It commemorates the Marian apparitions reported by three shepherd children. Chapel of the Apparitions: This chapel marks the exact spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the children. It is the spiritual heart of the Sanctuary and a focal point for pilgrims. University of Coimbra: Founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is renowned for its historical buildings, including the Joanina Library, a Baroque masterpiece. Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velha): This Romanesque cathedral, built in the 12th century, is one of the best-preserved buildings of its kind in Portugal. Its fortress-like appearance and intricate carvings are notable features.

After meeting your tour guide in the morning, you will be transported to Penacova and provided with the kayaking equipment and some instructions. Then, set off from the Carvoeira dam on a kayaking tour with a total length of 18 km (11 miles).  You'll be kayaking through the natural Mondego river valley, surrounded by extensive forests. As you travel downriver, you will pass by the small villages of Ronqueira, Rebordosa, Louredo, Foz do Caneiro and Casal. This part of the river is full of small beaches where you can stop for a picnic or go to go for a swim. On the river beach of Palheiros, you'll find a small bar where you can buy an ice cream or a cold beer. The river usually has a light current, which makes the kayaking easy and accessible to all ages. Finish in Torres do Mondego, after 3-4 hours of kayaking and breaks along the way. Expect to arrive between 15.00 and 17.00 pm.

Unique in its kind, began as a display of Portugal’s heritage, in terms of the different architectural styles, as well as the various types of construction, carried out according to the geomorphological factors of each region, and a whole range of traditional crafts. In the following years, Portugal dos Pequenitos continued to grow, supported by Bissaya Barreto’s thoughts and actions, giving way to new constructions, now representing the ethnographic and monumentalaspectsof today’s Portuguese-speaking African countries, as well as Brazil, Macau, India and Timor, interactive exhibitions that you can visit in the area now known as “Portugal and the World”. The construction project for Portugal dos Pequenitos was carried out by one of the greatest names in modern Portuguese architecture, Cassiano Branco, supported by the mastery of Manuel de Jesus Cardoso, who directed the works in the Park. Here you’ll discover 1.3 hectares of unique exploration experiences, for kids and adults, where it’s up to the visitor to decide how long they want to visit, which can take up a whole day!

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Porto to Lisbon and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra, Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Porto, travel towards the city of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Get dropped off at your hotel in Lisbon after a full day's sightseeing.

Meet the guide at the meeting point to start the tour. Relax in an airconditioned vehicle on the way to Coimbra. Start by exploring Coimbra, a historically university city, because of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe and one of the largest in Portugal. One of the oldest cities in the country, it was the capital of Portugal before Lisbon, until 1255, and is home to the first National Pantheon, the Monastery of Santa Cruz. Stroll through the streets of Coimbra. Stop at important landmarks such as the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. If you select the option with monuments admission, visit the interiors of Joanina Library and the Royal Palace. After visiting the main monuments, you will have free time for lunch (at your own expense), the guide will be able to suggest restaurants where you can have lunch. After enjoying lunch, return to the VAN with the guide to continue the journey to Aveiro. Aveiro in the central region of Portugal, considered the small “Venice of Portugal”, where where you can visit the Fish Market, Aveiro's railway station. Explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture and historical center. Board a traditional, wooden moliceiro boat and experience the city from the water. Make your way to the Aveiro Salt Ponds passing by New Coast, typical striped houses. Look for stork nests along the way find. At the end of the tour, the guide will drop you off at the same place of meeting point.

Serranas do Mondego are a locally based cultural project, started by the grandsons of boatmen, who returned the traditional and very important boats of Mondego, now equipped with electric motors. This is an innovative concept entirely based on the 3 pillars of sustainability, with particular emphasis on the cultural dimension, the valorization of uses and customs, traditions and endogenous products. The Mondego River was, for centuries, the main route of communication between the populations of the interior and the coast. There were several primitive transport systems on this river, however, Barca Serrana plays a prominent role, being at the center of the most important economic and commercial activities in the Mondego basin. Today, the Serranas do Mondego allow you to travel to the past, delve into the stories and memories of popular cults, enjoying the surrounding landscape and an incomparable experience.

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Lisbon to Porto and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra or Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Lisbon, travel towards the city of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past.. Get dropped off at your hotel in Porto after a full day's sightseeing.