Experience in Coimbra, Portugal. By Andy

How is living in Coimbra? Would you recommend it? How is the city?

It was such a pleasure to spend a semester in Coimbra. As a city there's not much to do, regarding tourist things, but this isn't important in daily life. It's a small city, but this can be ideal for a student. For me it had almost everything I needed: you could walk to the majority of places, there are parties, opportunities to play sport, a Premier League football team etc.

How's the student environment in Coimbra?

In just one word: excellent. Coimbra is a student city. It has a very old, very beautiful, very good university. It has student traditions and festivities. And beyond this it has a big community of international students who are open, kind, organised and - and this is very important - who are interested in learning and practising Portuguese. I have also studied in Lisbon, a city which I love, but in the international student community English is spoken way too much. The international student community is important, but it's also important to get to know Portuguese students and I think that is possible in Coimbra, and it's a good way to learn not only the language but also the culture and traditions. But, as in all cities, I suppose, it's not always easy to make friends with the natives. It's natural that some aren't interested in making friends with people who are just going to leave in a few months.

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On average, how much did you spend living in Coimbra?

Coming from the United Kingdom, living in Portugal in general isn't expensive. Coimbra is cheaper than Lisbon, but, just because it's a city full of students, this doesn't mean that it's cheap. I don't remember well but I think that I paid around €240 a month on rent in quite a good apartment.

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

I think that it's not difficult, since it's a student city, as I've said so many times. There are many websites where you can find accommodation, for example http://www.bquarto.pt.

I would say that it's better to live there for a few days - up to a week or more - in a hostel, or in a university residence and only find permanent accommodation when you're in Coimbra. This way you can see some apartments before paying or signing anything.

How's the food? What are your favourite delicacies?

You *have to* try the Francesinhas. It's said that those in Porto are the best but you can also have a very good Francesinha in Coimbra. I would definitely recommend it.

There are also things like "bacalhau à braz" (cod), which is very good. Also, custard tarts, "merenda mistas" (pasties), sausage rolls etc.

Where would you recommend to visit in Coimbra?

It's worth visiting the Joanina Library in the University

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How's the quality of the restaurants in Coimbra? Can you tell us the best restaurants to eat in?

There are good restaurants in the Baixa zone.

How's the night life in Coimbra? Where are the best locations?

The night life in Coimbra is a bit calmer and more sociable than in big cities (but this doesn't mean that it's worse! There are lots of parties in Coimbra and very long nights, but there aren't many clubs/discos like there are in cities like Lisbon).

Sé Velha is where students usually go at night.

In Sé Velha and also in the Avenida Sá da Bandeira there are lots of bars. Try Sangria with aguardente (a type of strong alcohol).

What advice would you give future students going to Coimbra?

Make the most of this opportunity. You're very lucky.

I already miss Coimbra.