Coimbra is a vibrant city of almost 150,000 spread over 319.4 square kilometres. Coimbra is a capital of the Centro region and is found in the Baixo Mondego region. One of the central structures in the city is the Coimbra University that was established in 1537. Aside from this institution, there are many other major architectural edifices that have been preserved throughout the ages.

Coimbra is about a two-hour drive from Lisbon, the country’s capital. It is an ideal place for homeownership as it is a quiet suburb with amenities such as bars, restaurants, concerts and nightspots. The city is vibrant with youthful energy, being a university town, and academic learning, with its educational institution. The city is historic, with many structures dating back to the Arab, Jewish and Christian times as well as artistic as many treasures of the past have been preserved for the youth in the city

Another delight that makes Coimbra an attractive city to choose as one’s residence is the shopping paradise it provides. The old town is nestled on a steep hill with a good number of crafts and art shops and the city have a long tradition of cultural excellence and artistry because of the university. There are many bookshops with many other specialty shops and galleries which would enrich the soul. There are many bargains available in the many shops and stores located in and around the city square. The central clock tower presides over the passage of time in the city, and watches over the many parades and festivities the city celebrates. All these make Coimbra such an attractive option for one to reside in.

The Property Conundrum of Coimbra

One of the most important and financial decisions one can make in their lives is in the purchase of a home. Not everyone is given the ability and the time to pore through the complexities and conundrums of property purchase and sale. It is this niche that real estate brokers and sales agents provide for the many individuals wishing to own property in Coimbra. These individuals know the neighbourhoods that are best suited to the individual’s tastes and preferences. Their expertise also extends to their ability to understand and navigate the peculiarities in the administrative and legal aspects of property transfer and ownership in Coimbra. They also are important go-betweens regarding price discussions between the sellers and buyers. Their functions include the verification of the title as well as title searches. They also facilitate meetings between buyers and sellers until the final agreement on the details of the transaction. These individuals also arrange mortgaging or financing up until the actual physical transfer of the property.

The Keys in Purchasing Property in Coimbra

When you are purchasing property in Coimbra, you need to know where and how the process of purchasing property works. There are many factors that come into play in a property transaction and many individuals play great roles in the whole process. The following are certain events during the process that can be the difference between making the sale and failing to enter into an agreement.

• Title verification and search. This is a process where brokers and agents make the title to the property as to the authenticity of the document as well as the correctness of the facts contained in the document. If there is a defect in the document’s contents, then the sale can just as easily go bust. If it is a correctible mistake, then the agent or broker can arrange for the amendment of the title.
• Preparatory meetings. The brokers and the agents arrange for the meetings between buyers and sellers as well as limit the talking points between the two parties in order to bring them closer to an agreement. These include finding the maximum allowable negotiating points between the parties and finding common grounds for the parties to agree at the soonest possible time.
• Financial assistance. These brokers and agents are also able to find financial institutions that can provide loan terms that are reasonable for the buyer. When the buyer is unable to raise enough funds for the purchase, then the sale will not push through. In finding a mortgage loan for the buyer, the agent or broker can be assured of the consummation of the sale.

It is important that before you engage the services of an agent, you must already have an idea of the kind of property you are to purchase, be it a home, a condominium, an apartment or farm. From there, you also need to find out your maximum allowable purchase price to be able to get a ceiling for your prospective purchase. From there, the agent or broker you would be engaging can make calculations as well as identify prospects for your purchase. The agent or broker will only do this after you sign an engagement agreement that makes the agent or broker your exclusive representative in your property purchase. The listings that the agent or broker will provide as well as possible sources of financing are services that an agent or broker can provide once they are properly engaged. They are vital cogs as both representatives and agents for and on your behalf in your plan to purchase property in Portugal, especially in Coimbra.

There are other important personnel that you need on your side in order to assist in the transfer of your property. It is best that you engage the services of a lawyer or advogado when undertaking this kind of purchase. They will specifically function as individuals who will review the terms and conditions of the contract and ensure the enforceability of its provisions. You may also want to engage the services of a real estate appraiser to make a proper estimation of the true value of the property. These specialists examine income records, building valuation and the trends in property valuations of the area over a period of years to make an assessment of the fair market value of the property. This helps as you can become fully apprised of the property value and the future value of the prospective property to be purchased. Though these services can be provided by the agent or broker, it is highly recommended that you engage any of these specialized professions to verify and properly evaluate the property to be purchased in Coimbra.

Coimbra Portugal is one of the oldest cities in the central area of Portugal. The city was the very first capital of Portugal and is situated in an area overlooking the river Montego. The main part of the city is the Universidade de Coimbra, which was established in the 13th century. These are not the only sites available for tourists in the city but there are so much more to offer.

Being the first capital of the country, much of its architecture dates back to the era of Manuel I. The fine weather in the area is pretty much consistent throughout the year, with temperatures reaching 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year. During the summer, the temperature peaks between 25 to 30 degrees with winters that are quite humid. The best times to visit Coimbra would be between April and September.

The first settlement in the area now known as Coimbra was called Aeminium by the Roman invaders. The name was changed to Conimbriga, which was laid waste by the Suevi in 468 B.C. The Moors took over the land in the 8^th Century and was liberated by Fernando the Great of Castile in 1064. The city became the country’s capital in the early 12^th century but was replaced by Lisbon in 1260. Throughout the centuries, there has been much change within Coimbra and it was only in 1911 that the focal center of the city had become Universidade de Coimbra.

The University is said to be the second oldest in the world, after opening its doors to higher learning in 1290. Many of the intellectual elite of Portugal had studied in its halls, including Zeca Alfonse and the poet Luis Camoes. One of the traditions of the school still currently practiced is when students wear black capes and colored ribbons to determine the discipline they are pursuing. The student population includes students from seventy countries have considered the university as one of the most respected centers of higher learning in Europe and the second most important library in the land.

Typical in any university town is a hot and hopping night life. Since much of the youth partygoers go to the university, the festivals the whole year round revolve around their schedules. The academic year is opened by a parade known as the Festa das Latas culminating with a dip in the Mondego River as baptism of fire. Another activity is the ceremonial burning of the faculty colored ribbons which opens a fiesta. Another festival that is looked forward to is the Queima das Fitas, which is the celebrations post-examinations during the middle of May, where facings are burned at the stake.

Aside from the University, the National Museum of Macha Castro is also one of the historic sites in the city. The structure housing the museum was once the old bishop’s palace and contains records and artifacts that showcase the rich history and experience of the city of Coimbra. It has also been traditionally believed that Coimbra was the birthplace of the fado, the melancholic blues like music style indigenous to Portugal. The fado of Coimbra is unique due to its complex lyrics and bards known as the Tuna Academica perform in street corner concerts known as serenatas that run well into the early morning light.

The town itself is a tourist haven and the tour starts at Largo da Portagem. The Avenida Emidio Navarro is covered with greenery. The Ponte de Santa Clara provides a great view of the town bridge and the town is fine for fine night walks in the crisp air through Rua Ferreira Borges and the Rua Visconde da Luz, the main shopping street. You can also walk around the theme park Portugal dos Pequenitos that showcases all of Portugal in miniature. You can also go biking in Condeixa-a-Nova and Montemor-o-Velho to stretch your muscles while enjoying the scenery in and around Coimbra. You can also enjoy the sites around the River Montego as the city is the locale of the largest botanical gardens in Portugal. There are terraced formal gardens with densely populated foliage including many exotic trees. There are thirteen hectares of the gardens which is under the auspices of the National History Museum dedicated to the study and protection of flora and fauna since the 18^th century.

Coimbra is also the venue of many medieval churches situated in the old part of the city. The area known as Arco de Almedina, the two cathedrals are known as Se Velha, the old cathedral and the Se Nova, the new cathedral. This is misleading, as the Se Nova was built back in the 17^th century while the Se Velha was built in the 12^th century. The Se Velha is simple in its interiors compared to the more ornate décor of the Igreja da Santa Cruz. The Igreja da Santa Cruz featured Manueline style interiors and décor, which replaced the original Romanesque features after remodeling made in the 16^th century.

Another important tourist destination is the Museu de Conimbriga which is dedicated to the archaelogical treasures found in the area. The exhibits showcase settlements in the area dated to the first Iron Age in the 9^th century BC. Also, the remnants of the Roman invasion occurring in the 2^nd century AD by overrunning the Celts who settled in the area.

The Quinta das Lagrimas is a place reserved for romantics. The tragic story is depicted in Luis Camoes poem on Dom Pedro and his mistress Ines de Castro that took place in the 14^th century. The Portuguese equivalent of Juliet was said to be slain in the gardens upon orders of the sitting King, the father of Dom Pedro. Upon learning of her death, the distraught prince ordered his courtiers to kiss the hand of the dead mistress. The two are now together for eternity, entombed in the monastery of Santa Maria in Alcobaca.

The city of Coimbra is known for its youth and learning. It is also known for beauty, romance and history. This makes Coimbra the gateway to the past and the future of Portugal.

Now, the Portuguese Republic is one of the countries that make up the European Union. Located in the Iberian Peninsula, it has a climate of both oceanic and Mediterranean. Most of the publicity is with the southern tip of Portugal that is the prime tourist destination in the area. Also located near to the Alagarve is the country’s capital Lisbon. But also steeped in beauty and history is the northern area of Portugal or called inland Portugal. The weather in the area is relatively warm, with ranges between 13 degrees to 18 degrees Celsius. This makes inland Portugal one of the cooler climes of the European Union.

Living in Inland Portugal

The national minimum income for the country is €500 per month. This makes living in the country day to day is at par with many countries in Europe. One of the main pastimes of the country is sitting down for coffee and snacks. Also grocery costs in the country are a bit more expensive compared to its nearest neighbour Spain because of the 20% value added tax imposed on all transactions. You can also find many restaurants with prices for meals lower than most countries, a decent meal costing €5.00 and wine at about a couple of euros.

The pace of life in inland Portugal is much slower than the other more popular habitués in the southern part of the country. The rural areas may have trouble with access roads but travelling by land, either by private car or by public transportation can be quite a scenic experience for the itinerant traveller into Portugal.

One of the major cities in inland Portugal is Coimbra. The city is the best example of how life in inland Portugal is and would be. Its infrastructure system, meaning the roads, utilities system and water supply is all within European Union standards. This means you can relax as to the way of life you would be having as you put your feet up in the inland city of Coimbra.

Compared to exuberant southern part of Portugal, the property costs in inland Portugal is much cheaper with a far larger retinue of choices for homes and abodes. For many expatriates, finding an older home and then renovating it to its former glory is one of the challenges when moving to a new country. You can do this in inland Portugal and you can make this a truly memorable experience.

Moving to inland Portugal does not mean moving to the rural areas of the country. The city of Coimbra is the center but the more scenic vistas can be found in the rural areas. A word of caution though, that the further you inhabit from the city center, the harder it is to find skilled help when living further inland. The region around the city of Coimbra is one of the most secluded and peaceful areas in the country. Despite its rural surroundings, the city is complete with all the necessary day-to-day essentials that you would need while living in the rural areas. The accessibility of the city is not a problem because of the driving distance of the city with the rural areas. Another good aspect of Coimbra is the educational institutions that are within the city limits.

Coimbra’s cost of living is also well below the threshold of the other areas of the country. The city is covered with many traditional markets and the small shops in the rural heartlands of Portugal are not only a pleasurable way to find what you need but also a cost effective manner of shopping in the area. Having a monthly income of €1,000, so long as you properly manage your finances, can provide you a comfortable way of life in inland Portugal.

If you love the climate of the country, then the weather you would have once you live in inland Portugal is much more colder compared to the temperate southern region of the country. You will also experience a bit of a biting winter up in inland Portugal so having central heating or a wood burning stove can help heat the main living areas of you home in inland Portugal.

Living in the rural areas of inland Portugal does not mean that you would be living in the Stone Ages. Many of the rural communities have basic health services for your needs but more complex medical procedures, you would need to travel to the city and in inland Portugal, Coimbra has a complete set of medical clinics, hospitals, dental centers and other wellness clinics for your health needs. It is best to keep your expatriate medical insurance just so you would have the financial backing to undertake the medical procedure that you need.

The Life in Inland Portugal

The simple life of inland Portugal is the idyllic life that is truly Portuguese. By living in rural country, you can have first hand experience on how the way of life of olden Portugal was.  You can have a reasonably priced spacious home with scenic views from your windows. You even have soil to grow plants and be with nature in a much more relaxed setting compared to the southern part of Portugal. Having fresh in season fruits and vegetables every day within your budget needs makes living in inland Portugal a truly enriching experience. You also are able to eat local cuisine at an affordable price and have your pick of local wines of export quality. If you choose to establish your roots in inland Portugal especially in the city of Combria and its adjoining areas, you can truly experience the serenity and the exquisite pleasures of true Portugal at a pace and price to your liking. 

Next to Braga, Coimbra is an important city outside the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas. The city is famous for its churches, monuments, museums, libraries, shopping facilities, parks, nightlife, healthcare, and most significantly its rich cultural life. The major center of Coimbra’s culture is the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Famous writers, artists, and members of the academic world walked the hallways of this university.

Education in Coimbra

Coimbra is also recognized as A cidade dos estudantes, or the city of students, mainly because the University of Coimbra is found here. This is a public university that was established as early the 13th century. It is one of the oldest and largest universities in Portugal.

Today, the university has students coming from 70 different nationalities; nearly 10% of the total student population consists of foreigners, making the University of Coimbra one of the largest international universities in Portugal.

Over the years and until now, students from various parts of Portugal travel to Coimbra to get higher education because of the wide variety of degrees offered in different fields in the prestigious university and other educational institutions. The students also choose to stay in Coimbra because of its student-friendly environment and rich cultural heritage.

Besides the University of Coimbra, there are also other reputable schools and institutes of higher education in the city. These are the following:

• Instituto Politecnico de Coimbra – a public polytechnic institute;
• Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra – a public nursing school;
• Instituto Superior Miguel Torga;
• Instituto Superior Bissaya Barreto;
• Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama; and
• Escola Universitária das Artes de Coimbra- an art school.

The city also has a number of public and private, basic and secondary schools, as well as several pre-school (kindergarten and nursery) establishments.

Coimbra Economy

With the surge of the students wanting to have a higher education, the University of Coimbra is the biggest income generating institution in Coimbra. The city has a total student population of 35,000, 23,000 of which are enrolled in the University of Coimbra. These students not only pay their tuition fees and other university expenses but also patronize the city’s shopping malls and restaurants, and spend for transportation, medical or health care, housing, entertainment, and other commercial services.

Moreover, Coimbra has many private clinics, medical offices, and two state hospitals. The city also has a national cancer center, a military hospital, and a state-run forensic science institute.

There are notable industries that are based in the municipality which highly contribute to the growing Coimbra economy such as:

• software companies;
• cement factory;
• pan-European service facility;
• pharmaceuticals;
• ceramics;
• food processing;
• textiles and wine;
• handicraft;
• forestry;
• horticulture;
• vineyards; and
• livestock.

The Baixa or downtown Coimbra is the most visited area in the municipality. It has many bakeshops, coffee houses, and other specialty shops selling all kinds of indigenous products from the area. Large commercial facilities can also be found in the downtown area. Shopping centers, supermarkets, restaurants, and movie theaters are very popular to locals and foreign visitors alike.

Coimbra Culture (Festivals)

1. Latada or Festa das Latas – Festa das Latas or The Tin Can Parade is a student festival that is held every opening of the school year. This festival is celebrated to welcome new university students. It is also known as a homecoming parade.
   Back in the 19th century, Coimbra students celebrated finishing school by making as much noise as they could. They felt the need to express their excitement and joy for finishing school in the loudest or noisiest manner possible. They banged tin cans or anything they could get their hands on that would make a lot of noise as they paraded down the streets of the city.

   Today, the festival is done at the beginning of school year. The highlight of the festival is a parade of the students wearing different costumes through the streets. The march culminates in the Mondego River. In this river, students are “baptized” to signify their entry into the Coimbra academic fraternity.

2. Queima das Fitas – Queima das Fitas or The Burning of the Ribbons is another student festival or celebration. This takes place at the end of the second semester. This is when the biggest student parties in all Europe are held. It lasts for eight days.
   Coimbra turns to a lively and vibrant city during this period. Students enjoy their carefree celebration with series of street parades, concerts and performances, sports activities, parties, and gatherings. Local residents and tourists take part in this celebration as well.

Tourism in Coimbra

Coimbra is among the most frequently visited municipalities in Portugal. Most of the tourists are young adults who have heard about or have experienced the energetic student festivals Coimbra have.

Visitors who prefer the conventional way of relaxing also finds Coimbra a good vacation spot. The city has well-landscaped parks, playgrounds, and gardens. Not far from the city are plenty of mountain and river landscapes.

There are inexpensive and locally owned hotels for budget travelers or backpackers in the city. While, the upscale clientele can choose from a number of international chain of hotels to stay in, Coimbra also offers camping parks for nature lovers.

The Conclusion

Coimbra is a city of young people. It is vibrant and bustling with activities. The municipality successfully centered its culture and economics in the pursuit of higher education and the youth. Many students today learn not only inside their classroom but in the streets of Coimbra but the University of Coimbra continues to offer academic excellence to students from different parts of the world.

Today, Coimbra is a highly commercialized city in Portugal. Major business players have already built their office branches and have high hopes for the growth of their industry in the city.

More Information about Coimbra

• National Name: Republica Portuguesa
• Government: Parliamentary Democracy
• Monetary Unit: Euro
• Languages: Portuguese (official)
• Population: 137,212 (for the year 2007)
• Number of Parishes: 31
• Region: Centro
• Subregion: Baixo Mondego
• District or A.R.: Coimbra
• Land Area: 319.4 square kilometers
• Municipal Holiday: Holy Queen Isabel, July 4
• Sports: football, basketball, volleyball and rugby