Coimbra

Camino Portugues

To end of camino
367.5
Altitude
35

Santa Clara

1.00

Coimbra

5.50

Adémia de Baixo

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus Terminal
Yes
Correos
Yes
Grocery
Yes
Hospital
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Public Pool
Yes
Train
Yes

Coimbra is the third largest Portuguese town along the camino and offers all services and numerous accommodation options, but no pilgrim specific albergues yet... apart from the Santa Clara Convent on the other side of the river.

If you are not staying here, avoid the temptation to skip the route through town; a bit of exploring is in order. Afonso Henriques, first King of Portugal, was born here and is buried in the Monastery of Santa Cruz. The same is true for his eldest son Sancho I. It has two Cathedrals, distinguished with the names Sé Nova and Sé Velha. The Old is very Romanesque, and the New is Baroque and Mannerist and adorned with statues of St. Ignatius, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Francis Xavier and St. Francis of Borja. The Saints were placed by the Jesuits who built (started) the church, but once they were expelled from Portugal it became the Cathedral and was completed with Peter and Paul getting top billing.

Fiesta

Fireworks on the 4th of July, in celebration of Queen Elizabeth of Portugal.

History

Coimbra was the capital of Portugal during the 12th and 13th centuries, it lost prominence to the port of Lisbon but gained instead the University of Coimbra which remains the oldest university in the Portuguese speaking world. 

The Road

If you are keen to pass through Coimbra, turn left after crossing the bridge and begin following the river walk. It will pass underneath the highway and then veer right to parallel a canal (on your left).

Stay on this paved road through a roundabout and soon you will have a different canal on your right. It remains a straight road until just before Adémia da Baixo, where it turns left. Cross the overgrown Rio Velho to the right into Adémia.

City Map

Comments

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Zero in hospitality When the pilgrims are already in bed, a man walks into the rooms, he has become aggressive when asked who he was and what he wanted. Zero respect for rest and privacy. I do not recommend it at all, it is worth spending a few more euros in a private one with respect for pilgrims and freedom of movement, they close the doors at 6:30 p.m. You can agree with them to enter at 9 or 10, then a man comes at the agreed time to open.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

I’ve been to the Change the World Hostel, great location right in the city center and a great deal for the price. I’ve paid 16€ per night. Coimbra is beautiful, if you haven’t seen it before I suggest to stop 1 day longer and take a holiday day from the holiday Camino. Just don’t eat or visit the bars on the main road. The are VERY expensive and if you go in the early morning they serve food of the day before (at least one, where I’ve been)

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Change the world hostel, still has great beds and bathrooms. It's in the old part of town and close to the Camino.
We had homemade ice-cream that where super tasty, and both with milk and a big vegan option.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

If you are starting the Camino here, you can pick up a credencial at the Iglesia Reinha Santa Isabel (left bank of the river)

Camino de Sant…

04/2022 - roadworks are still in progress, just follow Av. Fernão de Magalhães until McDonalds, then you can get back to the path.

Camino de Sant…

There is currently (24/08/2019) working on the river path so it is not accessible. The best solution is to continuing walking along the main road, underneath the highway, to a Coimbra-B train station, where you can cross the tracks safely. This does not add any distance to the route.

Camino de Sant…

Restaurante Aeminium! This is the best place we had dinner so far on portuguese Camino. 8.50eur for pilgrim menu. Olives and bread, soup, main dish, drinks, coffee and desert. everything is included in this price and everything is just sooooo delicious. And guys that works here are so nice and helpfull! Btw the owner of restauran is pilgrim as the girl from bar told us. probably that’s why this place loves pilgrims so much! I would love to eat here everyday!

Camino de Sant…

Change the world hostels has the most amazing beds on the whole path, you will sleep better than at home! Super new and the baths are also super luxurious :)
One more little advice accommodation wise is - don't stay at BE-Hostels, my friend got bedbugs there :/
AND staying one day or arriving early would be worth it - the university is AMAZING! Take the tour, at the natural museum you find ALL animals that exist in the world! Best 12,50€ invested in my life.

Camino de Sant…

Both the red route along the river and the green route at the McDonald’s are closed with no marked detours for the Camino when we were there on July 8. The work around is to use the bike path. To get there, at the bus station be hot McDonald’s, cut through the station and turn left. There is a very narrow path that leads to a railway crossing and bike route that is the Camino.

Camino de Sant…

04/2022 - roadworks are still in progress, just follow Av. Fernão de Magalhães until McDonalds, then you can get back to the path.