Erasmus Experience Coimbra

Today I want to tell you about the city in Portugal, Coimbra. I had the opportunity to visit it last year since my sister was there for her Erasmus.

Coimbra is a small city with about 150, 000 inhabitants, located in the center region, about 120 kilometers from Porto and about 200 kilometers from Lisbon. The river Mondego crosses the city, the river comes from Serra da Estrela and flows into the Atlantic Ocean in Figueira da Foz. This is the longest river that runs across Portugal (without passing through Spain).

The old town is constructed of narrow streets, courtyards, stairs and medieval arches. But Coimbra is known especially for its university since it was the first university of Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe.

This photo is in the main square of the university:

It is necessary to emphasize the big amount of students, both Portuguese and international that choose Coimbra to carry out their studies. Also, Coimbra in 2003 was announced a national capital of culture.

What is student life like in Coimbra?

The student lifestyle in Coimbra is incredible as it is famous for being an almost only city for students. Wherever you go you will meet some student (during the study period since in summer Coimbra is rather full of tourists). During the weekends most of the Portuguese students return to their families, almost only foreign Erasmus students stay in the city. Most of these are Spanish and Italian, either because of the proximity or the language that is very similar; but there is also a great variety of nationalities.

As for the nightlife, there is no day without a plan. Mostly Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (not bad four of seven days). It usually begins with the bars of Se Velha: the bar Cabido, Bigorna or Moelas are the most popular ones. To continue the night well you can end up in the disco NB.

The traditions of Portuguese students are worth knowing. The academic year is celebrated with the " Latada " festival. This is a welcoming party of the new students, Caloiros (novices), of the University of Coimbra. La Latada lasts a week. It is usually in the month of October and opens with the Serenade. Throughout the week there are different activities and concerts every day at the fairgrounds.

Another celebration that you can't miss is " Queima das Fitas". It is celebrated in the month of May and it is an ancient tradition. Each year, after finishing the course, students burn tapes of different colors according to the faculty to which they belong, to celebrate the end of studies.

What is the food like?

In terms of food, we should highlight the codfish. You will find it in every possible way that you can cook it. Two of the ones I liked the most were bacalao a brás and bacalao con nata. A good and a cheap way to eat as a student is to go to the Cantinas at the university. In general Portuguese food is very traditional. All menu is served with rice and soup.

Is it easy to find accommodation in Coimbra?

In terms of accommodation, there are a lot of shared apartments in student residences. If you visit the city as a tourist you can also find a variety of hotels and hostels.

What's the cost of living in Coimbra?

Compared to the north of Spain Coimbra is cheaper. In the canteens, the students can eat for an incredible price of... 2, 40 euros! In addition, there are many restaurants with affordable prices. As for the accommodation, it depends on what you want. You can rent a shared room from 180 euros in a residence per month, for example.

What is the transportation like?

It is very easy to move around the old part of the city as there are many buses that pass very frequently. In addition, Coimbra has 2 train stations :

- Coimbra A: next to the Mondego river in the center of the old town.

- Coimbra B: which is more on the outskirts but it is the main station. Trains that arrive there are from Madrid and from France passing through several cities of Spain (in my case I took it from Vitoria). You can find there also other high-speed trains, and there are frequent departures to Lisbon and Oporto.

As I mentioned, Coimbra is very well connected with Porto and Lisbon by trains, but also by bus. The bus station is about 15 minutes from the old town, is full of connections, including buses from Madrid or Vigo, to name a few.

The nearest airport is in Oporto.

Sport?

The city's football team, which is in the first division is the Associação Académica de Coimbra (better known as Académica). Its stadium is the Cidade de Coimbra. During my visit, I had the opportunity to watch a football match against Oporto. I must say that the Oporto fans were the loudest without any doubt with their songs and that they were a minority.

Turism in Coimbra

Coimbra has many places to visit as a tourist. In fact, if you want to visit all of them you will need several days.

The remarkable monuments that can be visited in Coimbra are:

• University of Coimbra:

Without any doubt, the University is a mandatory stop. Although it is on the top of the hill and you have to climb cobbled streets or infinite stairs ( escadas monumentais) there is no excuse for not seeing it. Apart from seeing the university on the outside, it is worth visiting the library and the tower (it is not always open). Also, you can visit other places if you wish.

• Sé Nova
• Sé Velha
• Arco y Torre de Almedina: It was the main gate of the medieval wall.
• Iglesia de Santa Cruz
• Monasterio de Santa Clara la Vieja
• Portugal dos Pequenitos:

Although the entrance may seem a little expensive, it is totally worth it. It has in miniature the main monuments of all Portugal and those of Coimbra. Here is a small example of it.

If you want to visit museums there are a variety of them among which I highlight:

• Museo Nacional de Machado de Castro
• Casa-Museo Miguel Torga
• Museo Académico

If you feel like walking, visit gardens and green spaces you can do it here:

• Jardín botánico:The gardens are open every day and the entrance is free
• Jardín da Manga
• Jardín Quinta das Lágrimas:

The gardens of the Quinta das Lágrimas date back to the 14th century and deserve to be talked about.

It consists of several springs and fountains. La Fuente de los Amores, which is named after having witnessed the love of Don Pedro, grandson of Queen Santa Isabel, with Inés de Castro. The other fountain is Fuente de las Lágrimas, the fruit of the tears that Dona Inés de Castro shed when she was murdered. It is said that his blood dyed red the rocks that surround the stream, and that today still remain dyed. "And from that source, today life of flowers, water is tears, the name Amores" (From the writer Camões in his epic work, Lusiadas).

This park has been built over the years, planting numerous trees, creating the pond that receives water from the Fuente de las Lágrimas, placing the famous tombstone with the The stanza of Os luisadas that I mentioned before and the romantic garden, with exotic lakes and trees. At the same time the site has a hotel and the Amphitheater Hill Camoes.

The ticket costs two euros, but it's really worth it.

• Choupal: A good place to go to exercise, go on a picnic or an afternoon walk.
• Jardim da Sereia

• Parque verde do Mondego

This park is next to the Mondego river, a nice place to walk or go for a run. In addition, it has several terraces by the river in which you can enjoy beautiful sunsets with friends. Highlight the Peter and Ines pediatric bridge and the Santa Clara Bridge.

• Penedo da Saudade
• Acueducto San Sebastián

As a student or as a tourist, Coimbra is a city that you will enjoy.

And if you want to continue your trip for the rest of Portugal here are some recommended places:

- Lisbon: capital of Portugal and the largest city.

- Porto: second most important city.

- Sintra: Wonderful enclave of castles and palaces.

- Algarve: With magnificent beaches for a summer tourism.

In the end I would like to do ishow you the picture taken from the bridge of Santa Clara, where you can see how the sunset dyes a reddish all the facades of the buildings on the hill, starting with the university at its highest.

Photo gallery