Experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Catarina

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

Coimbra is a small university town, small enough to allow people to walk, but big enough to offer most of the facilities that one looks for in a city. There are many young people in the city, due to the university, and many Erasmus students looking for the traditions of Coimbra student life. I definitely recommend it!

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What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

Studentlife is amazing, the entire city functions around the university and for the students, making their life easy and pleasant.

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How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

As a medium-sized city, the cost of living is pretty cheap, we can find great accommodation for an excellent price, and transport is also cheap.

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

In the beginning of the school year it may become difficult to find accommodation, due to the huge influx of new students coming every year. But if searched for in advance, finding accommodation is relatively easy.

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

The food is great, as in the rest of the country. The traditional restaurants work mainly for groups of students, making the food cheap.

What places would you recommend visiting in Coimbra?

The old university area, that is now Unesco world heritage, the botanic garden, some museums (academic museum, natural history museum, science museum, city museum); old churches and convents, the parks close to the river, the interest site Portugal dos Pequenitos (with child-sized miniatures of Portuguese houses and monuments), and many other interesting places in the surroundings of the city.

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

(as I mentioned above)

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

Nightlife is said to be good, cheap, very lively and safe.

What advice would you give future students heading to Coimbra?

Coimbra is more than the nightlife and the academic traditions and parties (Queima das Fitas). Although these are a very important part of the city, do not neglect all the rest that it has to offer. Make the most of the quality of one of the oldest European universities and one of the best universities in Portugal, and of the city where it is.