Tips
Coimbra Fado
Fado ao Centro
Open every day of the year with a Coimbra Fado live show.
Rua do Quebra Costas, 7 | Coimbra
GPS: 40.208907, -8.428349
T (+351) 239 837 060
Booking is advised.
àCapella - Centro Cultural
According to Jewish historical records, this Fado House is housed in a 14th century chapel that once was the Coimbra Synagogue.
R. Corpo de Deus – Lg. da Vitória – Capela Nª. Sr.ª da Vitória | Coimbra
GPS: 40.210644, -8.428356
T (+351) 239 833 985 | 962 205 564 | 925 786 939
Booking is advised.
Fado Hilário – Cultural Association
Designed for those who wish to share the Coimbra experience in its most genuine and pure form!
Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar, 110 | Coimbra
GPS: 40.208713, -8.427741
T (+351) 911 505 770
Booking is advised.
Santa Cruz Café
The luxurious Manueline style Café-Restaurante de Santa Cruz was opened in 1923. It was designed by architect Diogo de Castilho, but its façade is by architect Jaime Inácio dos Santos.
Here, culture is a social celebration while people enjoy their coffees. It is the privileged place to enjoy a literary break: flick through the pages of a newspaper, read a book, attend a talk show or simply listen to live music. A unique place in town!
Praça 8 de Maio | Coimbra
GPS: 40.210782, -8.428981
T (+351) 239 833 617
Boat rides in Mondego River – Basófias
Tours in Coimbra in a Tuk-Tuk
GPS: 40.207174, -8.429644
T (+351) 969 830 664
Tours in Coimbra on a panoramic bus (Funtastic-Coimbra/Yellow Bus)
Largo da Portagem | Coimbra
GPS: 40.207174, -8.429644
Saint Francis Convent
Its initial construction dates back to the 14th century. In the 17th century, it housed the Franciscan community. The current building was designed by architects Carrilho da Graça (recovery and expansion) and Gonçalo Byrne (church).
It hosts cultural events, conferences and international conventions.
Av. da Guarda Inglesa, 1 A | Coimbra
GPS: 40.203413, -8.435243
T (+351) 239 857 190 | Ticket office: 239 857 191 (3pm-8pm)
Jazz Music Nights at Salão Brazil
Largo do Poço, 3 - 1º andar | Coimbra
GPS: 40.210450, -8.430109
T (+351) 239 837 078
... |https://pt-pt.facebook.com/Salaobrazil/
Visual Arts Centre
Exhibitions of photos and moving images, contemporary painting, sculpture and design.
Edifício da Inquisição - Colégio das Artes
Pátio da Inquisição, 10 | Coimbra
GPS: 40.212391, -8.429298
T (+351) 239 836 930 | 239 826 178
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun: 2pm-6.45pm
Closed: Monday
Centro de Portugal Pavilion
Building designed by Souto Moura and Siza Vieira. Situated on the right bank of the Mondego Green Park, it hosts exhibitions, concerts and other shows.
Ínsua dos Bentos - Av. da Lousã | Coimbra
GPS: 40.199294, -8.423837
T (+351) 239 824 050 | 919 458 994 | 916 994 160
... | www.orquestraclassicadocentro.org
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 2.30pm-8pm
Saturday: 3pm-6pm
Quinta das Lágrimas Garden
Both the Love Fountain (Fonte dos Amores) and Fountain of Tears (Fonte das Lágrimas) reveal the love story between D. Pedro and Inês de Castro.
Worthy of note: the 19th century palace, the Medieval Garden and the Colina de Camões Amphitheatre, by landscape architect Cristina Castel-Branco.
Santa Clara | Coimbra
GPS: 40.188214, -8.434753
T (+351) 239 802 380 | 918 108 232
... | www.quintadaslagrimas.pt | www.fundacaoinesdecastro.com
Opening Hours:
16 Mar to 15 Oct:
Tue to Sun: 10am-7pm
Closed: Monday
16 Oct to 15 Mar:
Tue to Sun: 10am-5pm
Closed: Monday
Penedo da Saudade
A retreat of poets, garden and belvedere, with strong ties to Coimbra traditions.
Av. Marnoco e Sousa | Coimbra
GPS: 40.204506, -8.414165
Casino Figueira
Have fun at the only Casino in Central Portugal!
Rua Dr. Calado, 1 | Figueira da Foz
GPS: 40.150466, -8.864049
T (+351) 233 408 400
Urban Art in Figueira da Foz
Urban art in Figueira da Foz is wholly part of the event Fusing - Culture Experience. Several murals painted by renowned artists are scattered around town.
Add Fuel | “Herança Viva” – artist focused on the reinterpretation of traditional Portuguese glazed tiles.
Av. de Espanha
GPS: 40.148024, -8.863828
Pantónio | Portrays animals in a very distinctive style. The work is showcased near the river in front of Saint Catherine’s Fortress.
GPS: 40.146779, -8.865005
Mário Belém | Mural with a gigantic fish, at the Art Performing Arts Centre.
GPS: 40.153287, -8.860508
Daniel Eime | His work (a face gazing at the sky) can be seen in Bairro Novo.
GPS: 40.148475, -8.864420
Kruella d’Enfer (Ângela Ferreira) | Her work represents huge and colourful imaginary beings. “Kitsune Portal” is located in Bairro Novo.
GPS: 40.151883, -8.863966
Handicrafts
Regional handicrafts are quite diversified and include lace, embroideries and weaving. This is a century-old tradition in Alvaiázere, Ansião, Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Figueira da Foz, Góis, Lousã, Miranda do Corvo, Oliveira do Hospital and Soure. Generations of people have also worked in red clay pottery in Mortágua, Miranda do Corvo and Tábua, while the black clay pottery is found mostly in Vila Nova de Poiares. Penacova is known for its wooden objects: the wheel, the boat, the windmills and the little wooden sticks that used to decorate the tables in the Lorvão Monastery. Tábua and Cantanhede are known for traditional footwear. Shale and stone handicrafts are sculptured by creative minds in the municipalities of Arganil, Lousã, Miranda do Corvo and Pampilhosa da Serra. Castanheira de Pera has the only existing factory in the country that produces the traditional black or green caps with a red stripe across them. Condeixa-a-Nova is famous for hand-painted ceramic work, initially in blue and white to which other colours were added later, and which we call faiança - stoneware. In the municipalities of Alvaiázere, Ansião, Penela and Soure, cane and osier are handled by expert hands. These materials hold no secrets to them. Producing unique basketry items! If you like detailed woodwork, decorative ceramics and fish nets, visit the municipality of Soure. Tinware is also much appreciated, especially the one made in Ansião, Miranda do Corvo and Oliveira do Hospital. Mealhada is known for its leather items, while Arganil and Góis are famous for the wooden spoons, which is a century-old tradition!