A City Worth Visiting in Portugal

Coimbra is a well-preserved medieval city that was the country's capital before Lisbon took over. Coimbra is renowned for its university, which is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. However, what drew me to this city was not the school, but its architectural style that I fell in love with even before I arrived. Many people take a day trip to Coimbra on their way to Porto or Lisbon, which is feasible, but I recommend staying at least one night to fully experience its charm. Coimbra's old town is small, making it easy to explore on foot. It is a perfect blend of medieval history and colorful architecture. Visiting the University of Coimbra is probably the most popular activity in Coimbra, but they have a magnificent library covered in gold inside, and they also have a great terrace with a view of the city, which I think is worth a visit. Note: Photography is not allowed in the library. Coimbra is hilly, but the slopes are gentle, unlike the steep hills of Lisbon or Porto. For those who are not good at physical activities, there is good public transportation or you can just walk slowly. In many cases, you have the opportunity to stop, sit in a café, enjoy the scenery, and listen to the sounds. The steepest climb might be from the city center to the Old Cathedral (13th century) and the university (old campus) along two main routes. Getting to Coimbra is very simple; you just need to take a train from Lisbon to Coimbra. The journey takes less than 2 hours. When visiting Portugal, most people either fly into Lisbon or Porto, and Coimbra is located between the two, making it easily accessible by train. This is why I mentioned that many people stop in Coimbra on their way to these two major cities.