Experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Ivana

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

To do Erasmus in Coimbra is a great opportunity to discover portuguese students habits, as Coimbra is the centre of these traditions. I am sure you will fall in love with this city. But be prepared to walk a lot up and down because the transport system isn't so good.

What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

The student lifestyle is based on two students festivals. The first one, Festa das Latas is in October and concerts are all week. The second one is bigger and better and is in mai and its called Queima das Fitas. During Queima das Fitas there are no classes so everybody is participating in this great festival. Each day, there are some concert of world known music groups and during the day there is also a special programm, don't miss the Cortejo on Sunday! The Queima das Fitas is the biggest and best student festival.
During the semester, the best days to going out is tuesday and thursday. As you are in Portugal, the parties starts really late.

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

The accomodation cost around 200 Euros per month included all the facilities.
The food in mensa is cheap, it costs only 2,40 but after one month you will not longer go there because they have just maybe 5 different foods ant these foods there are serving all the time. The best mensa is in Polo 3.
Going out is quiete cheap, one small bear costs normally 1 Euro. And coffee is really cheap between 0.5 - 1 Euro for great coffee.
I got a great scholarship, so I also could save some money.

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

It's not difficult but is better to starting to looking for an accomodation sooner because later all good flats are occupied. Don't hesitate to go to some flat agencies, some of them have normal prices. But be prepared for cold winter without heating system :-)

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

The food in Portugal is great, each day you can buy fresh fish, so if you like fish you will eat all days just fish because is cheap if you compare it to other countries. Also meat is cheap. You will not have any problem with food there, they have everything for good prices.

What places would you recommend visiting in Coimbra?

For night live bars in Se Velha.
And there are a lot of touristic attractions like the old university with the old library. The entrance to these part of university are for free for students of Universidade de Coimbra. Also the church in Baixa and Penedo de Saudade.

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

Next to the Praza da Republica there is great restaurant for sea food. And the best restaurant is not in the city centre, but I wiil not tell you the name because is a secret also for portuguese, but this secret reastaurant is the best one in the city and always full.

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

The nightlife is good on tuesday and thursday but only during the semester. During the exam period , the city is empty because all the portuguese students are at home as well also during the weekends.

What advice would you give future students heading to Coimbra?

Buy warm clothes for winter and start learning portugueses before going to Coimbra :-)