Every once in a while, I come across this question on travel groups: “Is there anything worth stopping for between Lisbon and Porto?” Typically, this question arises when someone is planning to travel to Portugal, flying to either Lisbon or Porto and then renting a car to drive from one of these cities to the other. Portugal is a small country, but there’s something to see around every corner. Between the two biggest Portuguese cities, there is no lack of things to do and see, but if you only have time for one stop, why not make it Coimbra, the charming and history-rich capital of Central Portugal?
Like so many towns and cities in Portugal, Coimbra was built on top of a hill. That means that, yes, there will be steep streets. Your best option is to walk, as in some places it will be difficult to find parking spots and the narrow streets are difficult to drive through. This route starts near the river, with the highest point being the University of Coimbra. From there, you’ll just be going down towards the river again. Without any stops, this route takes you a bit under two (very easy-going) hours. Think of the uphills as cardio with culture mixed in!
There are no particularly good or bad times to visit Coimbra. I would advise, however, to avoid the second half of May, particularly during the weekend. That is when students celebrate the Queima das Fitas (literally, “burning of the ribbons”), marking the end of their degrees. There are actually a few events related to the Queima starting several weeks before the date, but most happen towards the end of May. An event like this naturally attracts many more people, more traffic, and, simply put, more confusion.
So, when planning your drive between Lisbon and Porto, consider making a stop in Coimbra. Explore its steep, historic streets on foot, starting from the river and making your way up to the University of Coimbra, then back down again. Enjoy the cardio, the culture, and the charm of this hilltop city, but plan your visit to avoid the crowded Queima das Fitas celebrations in late May.
