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.