Experience in Coimbra, Portugal, by Alexandre

What is it like to live in Coimbra? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's really great! It's not a big city, so it can be a calm place. There's a lot to see and to visit, and since its placed in the center region of Portugal you can go anywhere easily.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

It can be crazy! There are a lot of traditions in the student life in Portugal, especially in Coimbra! The city almost never stops! You can be with your friends and colleagues from morning until late night.

If you like partying you don't want to miss "Latada" or "Queima das Fitas"!

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

Since it's not a big city like Lisbon or Porto it can be cheap!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Coimbra? Is there any advice you can give?

Coimbra it's a student's city so it's not difficult to find accommodation! My advice would be searching for a nice and cheap place between "Alta" and "Praça da República" zone. If you can't find anything there are a lot of student accommodation from the university.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Portugal it's a country with a lot of food traditions! In my opinion you should try the Portuguese ex libris, "bacalhau" (any dishes, there're a lot of ways we cook codfish) and "francesinha". Other dishes you could try in Portugal, in my opinion, are "arroz de pato", "lombo assado" and if you like seafood "polvo à lagareiro".

What places would you recommend visiting in Coimbra?

In Coimbra you have to visit the ex libris of the city, the University!

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Also there are some museums and some places you can visit and hangout. There's the "Museu Machado de Castro" and "Jardim Botânico". You can go to Coimbra downtown for walks.

You can appreciate the architecture everywhere in Coimbra! From medieval buildings in the downtown to the late XX century buildings all over town, and the new buildings with that new modern style.

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Is it good to eat out in Coimbra? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes it's good to eat out in Coimbra! Basically you can eat well everywhere! Almost every coffees serves meals our any type of food!

My favorites places for eating out in Coimbra are the "Atenas" restaurant and "Couraça" coffe/restaurant.

Is the nightlife good in Coimbra? Where is good to go?

The nightlife in Coimbra it's crazy! The bars are open until 4 a. m. and some clubs are open until 6 a. m.

The best bars are in "Alta" but most of the Erasmus party's are in "Praça da República" (central zone of Coimbra).

If you're more of a talking in the bar kind of people in the same zones I refer you can do that. Bars and clubs are not what's missing in Coimbra so you have always a place where you can go. Also the prices are really cheap compering to other country's in EU.

What advice would you give future students heading to Coimbra?

My advice it's for you to be open minded when you came to Coimbra! And don't let the medium size city foll you, there's always something going on in Coimbra! And if not, well there's always a country you can discover!