Best Hotels In Coimbra: Insider Guide To Areas & Accommodations

Whether you spend one night in this charming riverside city or several, my insider tips should help you decide where to stay in Coimbra.

As the city I lived in for my first year in Portugal and where I worked for another 8 years, I know it well. It’s also the closest city to our little village so we regularly visit and keep up to date with what’s going on.

I’ve selected my favourite hotels in Coimbra and apartments that I consider to be stylish, well-located and good value in three distinctly different parts of the city.

Which of these areas you decide to use as your base will be influenced by how you intend to get around as well as what you’d like to do. For example, if you have a car, you’ll need somewhere with easy access to free parking. And if you intend to walk to most places, you may not want to be at the top of the hill, near the university (Alta).

In this insider’s Coimbra accommodation guide, I’ve given you an overview of the three key areas in the city centre so that you can make an informed choice.

Once you’ve picked your location, check out my specific accommodation suggestions for each of these areas including boutique hotels, guesthouses and apartments.

No time to read the whole article? See my favourites in the blue box:

As I’ve mentioned before, Coimbra makes a great base for exploring central Portugal and deserves a couple of days just to explore the city itself – see this article for things to do in Coimbra.

Read on to discover the best places to stay in Coimbra depending on your interests and how you intend to get around…

Alta de Coimbra / Upper Coimbra

Alta means high so if you choose accommodation in this part of Coimbra, you’ll be at or near the top of the hill. There’s plenty to see and do here, such as the Botanical Gardens, the St. Sebastion aqueduct, Coimbra University and the Machado de Castro National Museum. There are also several restaurants and bars in this area.

The slope towards downtown is steep if you go through the maze of narrow ancient streets but much more gentle if you take the wide, leafy Avenida Sá da Bandeira. It’s about a 20-minute walk and there are plenty of buses and taxis if you can’t face an uphill climb. Parking can be tricky in Alta so bear that in mind if you have a car.

Best Coimbra accommodation in Alta 

Sapientia Boutique Hotel

Opposite the university, this lovely 4-star hotel takes books and learning as its theme and shares the seat of learning’s enviable views with a fantastic rooftop terrace. It also has an onsite restaurant and outdoor seating area. You can choose between rooms and spacious apartments. Take a look at the photos.

I watched this building being renovated (it’s on the street I used to work in) and am happy to see what a great job they’ve done, both inside and out. On a quiet street within a few hundred metres of the sites mentioned above, this modern design guest house has a shared lounge and outdoor terrace. Parking can be problematic during the day but it gets easier after around 5 pm. Choose a room.

You’ll find another recently restored old house on the next road, again in an excellent location. It can accommodate up to 4 people but is perhaps better suited to 2. Don’t take one of the attic apartments – the ceilings are low and there’s no lift. Although these are self-catering apartments, the owners make sure your day gets off to a good start with a fresh breakfast delivered to your apartment each morning. See the choice of rooms.

This is a really opulent and luxurious guest house with exposed brick and stonework, ideal for a romantic break if you nab a room with a jacuzzi. I haven’t yet stayed there but have had rave reviews from several people I know. Take a look at these awesome photos.

What to expect from Coimbra’s Baixa district

Baixa means low, or downtown, and in Coimbra’s case it’s both. This is the central hub of the old town, between the base of the hill and the Mondego River. The main shopping streets are here as are the city museum, Arco de Almedina, the gateway to the oldest part of the city, and the museum of the medieval city walls. Rua da Sofia is also part of Coimbra’s UNESCO World Heritage site, with colleges and convents belonging to the university.

You’ve also got the two riverside parks, plenty of outdoor cafés and a wide choice of restaurants in this part of Coimbra. See this article for tips on where to eat and drink in Coimbra.

Where to stay in Coimbra’s Baixa neighbourhood

This is a family run hotel that was one of the first hotels in Coimbra. After a thorough re-development you can choose from a range of clean, bright rooms and take in the views of the city from the rooftop terrace. Staff are really friendly. Choose your room.

If you prefer the additional facilities of indoor and outdoor pools and a spa, try the 4-star Vila Gale. It overlooks the Mondego River and there’s a nice use of soft-tone colours throughout the hotel, although it’s a 10-minute walk into the main historical centre. See the photos.

This comfortable and well-located 3-star hotel is slightly less luxurious but closer to the centre. There’s a rooftop terrace with excellent views, free parking and pleasant modern decor so don’t be put off by the ugly exterior. Try to get a room with a balcony.

Right in the heart of Coimbra’s downtown. The entrance still boasts the glorious old pharmacy and some of the spacious rooms come with a balcony or river view. Very helpful staff will make your stay unforgettable. Choose your room.

Apartments in Coimbra’s Baixa neighbourhood

Just through Arco de Almedina, the gateway to the medieval walled city, you’ll find this delightful accommodation, a traditional house split into 3 tastefully renovated apartments. The generous welcome pack and friendly reception will get your stay off to a great start. Read these reviews.

There’s a variety of different sized apartments to choose from at this excellent condo hotel. The apartments are bright and spacious and some come with a terrace or river views. There’s also free parking nearby. Select an apartment to suit you.

What’s in Santa Clara?

Santa Clara is the part of the city on the other side of the river and is home to the Santa Clara-a-Velha monastery, Convento São Francisco conference and cultural centre, Portugal dos Pequenitos (miniature Portuguese buildings), Quinta das Lágrimas gardens and golf course, a range of watersports, an outdoor swimming pool, a beer museum and a science exploratorium.

You’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants, a great ice cream parlour and my favourite café bar, Galeria Bar, in this part of Coimbra.

Best Coimbra hotels and accommodation in Santa Clara

My first choice for accommodation in Santa Clara is Coimbra’s only 5-star hotel, the luxurious, historical Quinta das Lágrimas. Part of it is inside the former palace although there is a more modern wing. If you’re interested in making use of the onsite spa, look for their spa package deals when booking.

The hotel and grounds are inextricably linked to the tragic love story of Pedro and Inês and one of the hotel’s two restaurants is named after this famous couple. It is a little far to walk into the city centre so you might want to drive or use taxis. Book a room to suit you.

A superb guesthouse on the left bank of the Mondego river. Rooms are thoughtfully furnished with some classy touches throughout and the excellent breakfast can be taken on a very nice patio. There’s a free parking facility onsite. Book your dates.

You can choose a one bedroom apartment or a deluxe double room at this accommodation located in a quiet part of Santa Clara. There’s a lovely little terrace to relax on and the decor of the rooms are fresh and modern. An excellent place to base your stay in Coimbra. See photos.

JR Studios & Suites I Rius I

There’s a wide range of suites and studios, some with a balcony and inner courtyard views, at this perfectly located stay. Everything is clean and bright and it benefits from an elevator and easy parking. See availability.

Guest House Santa Clara

This guesthouse is just across the road, close to the ancient monastery. There’s free private parking and rooms are spacious and comfy with lovely panoramic views. Take a look at the photos.

Note: I’ve written similar guides for Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve, Douro Valley and Sintra.

There are many interesting towns close to Coimbra. Take a look at my Small Towns Near Coimbra You Should Visit for ideas.

Looking for a Portugal guide book?

Click on the links below to see my top picks via Amazon

My first choice would be a DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Portugal, partly because I’ve contributed to them in the past and partly because I like the pictures, maps and layout.

The Frommer’s Portugal is written by two well-respected journalists who live in the Lisbon area, one Portuguese and the other British. Having met them both, I would certainly trust their recommendations.

I also like Rough Guides’ approach to travel guides and their Portugal travel guide is no exception.

As for Portuguese phrasebooks, the best of the bunch is probably the Portuguese Phrasebook, which has sections on eating and drinking as well as all the functional language you’d expect and help with pronunciation.

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