Religious History and Art Tour with Tickets

Explore Coimbra’s religious history and art on a guided walking tour through engaging storytelling. Begin at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, a 17th-century convent built for the Poor Clares after floods forced them to abandon their previous monastery. Continue to the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where you can see the tombs of the First King of Portugal and admire the unique azulejo tiles in the church. Here you will learn how the Augustinian Canons helped make medieval Coimbra a major center of learning long before the University of Coimbra gained international recognition. At the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, discover one of the finest Romanesque cathedrals in Portugal. Along the way, also see the ruins of Santa Clara-a-Velha, the Church of Santiago, the Convent of São Francisco, the Torre de Almedina, and the New Cathedral. This is a tour designed for those who enjoy history in-depth, but also want to experience Coimbra on foot, in a way that feels unhurried, and memorable.

1. 1

   Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova

   1 hour

   Meet your guide and set off on a journey through Coimbra's religious history and art. Visit the Church and Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, a female monastery built in the 17th century. Admire its gilded baroque decorations and interior garden, and learn about the religious order that lived there. The Monastery of Santa-Clara-a-Nova is located on the other side of the Mondego River, on the left bank at the heights of a hill. It was built to replace the Monastery Santa-Clara-a-Velha which due to its position in relation to the Mondego River is constantly flooded. We will visit the church and monastery, which includes the visit to the church, the cloistered garden, chapter house, and choir. Admission tickets are included in the price of the tour.

2. 2

   Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha

   Pass by

   The Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery is located in Coimbra, on the left side of the Mondego river. It was builtin 1314 at the orders of the Queen Saint Isabel of Aragon, replacing a small convent of nuns of the Order of St. Clare, founded in 1286. Combining the Romanesque and Gothic styles, the building was completed in 1330, having been designed by the architect Domingos Domingues, who had previously worked on the Mosteiro de Alcobaça.

3. 3

   Igreja De Sao Tiago

   20 min

   Along the route, we will also see other landmarks that complete the story of the city, such as the Church of Santiago, connected to medieval pilgrims and the Templar Knights. We will visit this Romanesque Church and discuss its history, as well as the Romanesque art style.

4. 4

   Se Velha De Coimbra

   30 min

   Continue to the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, a Romanesque church that played a crucial role in Portugal's history. Learn about its construction after the Battle of Ourique, when Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal and chose Coimbra as the capital for the newly established country. We will visit the Sé Velha church. Admission tickets are included in the price of the tour

5. 5

   Torre de Almedina

   Pass by

   The main gate providing access to the city walls of Coimbra, whose foundations date back to the Islamic occupation. They were part of a complex of gates and towers that made up the Coimbra city wall, which was almost two kilometers long.

6. 6

   Igreja de Santa Cruz

   1 hour

   Next, head to the Church of Santa Cruz, a National Pantheon Monument where the mortal remains of first King of Portugal lie. Discover the unique azulejo tiles depicting important battles in Portuguese history and hear about the Monastery of Santa Cruz's role in making Coimbra a center of learning and education. We will visit the church and entire Monastery. Admission tickets are included in the price of the tour.

7. 7

   Se Nova Catedral de Coimbra

   Pass by

   Coimbra’s New Cathedral (Sé Nova) is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, a true jewel of Portuguese Baroque architecture. Located in the historic center of Coimbra, the cathedral was built in the 16th century after the destruction of the old Church of Santa Maria. Its imposing façade, influenced by the Mannerist style, immediately catches the eye, reflecting the grandeur of the time.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.