What to see in Coimbra with only 10 euros?

Stuff happens when traveling: thieves, careless spending. In the end, just a small travel budget. So take our advice.

For 10 euros in Coimbra you can afford:

• 3 paid museums/attractions
• 1 concert
• 1 coffee with pastries 

A visit to the University of Coimbra is not cheap, 16,5 euros. That's why I'm not including it in this review.... The Machado de Castro National Museum costs 8-11 euros, too posh for our situation too. That leaves the monasteries-churches. Glad that Coimbra is a small city, you can do without public transportation!

First, get a map of the city from the Tourist Office or hotel and go for a walk!

2 euros — the former monastery of the Clarisses, Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Nova. The complex is located on the opposite bank of the Mondego River from the old town. Cross the Ponte Santa Clara bridge, pass the Portugal for the Little Ones miniature park and walk up. Included is a visit to the patio, the observation point in front of the monastery overlooking Coimbra, and the Portuguese Baroque decorated church with the incorruptible relics of St. Queen Isabella of Portugal. Not to be confused with Isabella of Castile Catholic. If we had another 3 euros to spare, you would also see the lower choir with the old stone painted sarcophagus of the holy queen, which she herself designed.

Go downstairs, cross the bridge again and return to the old town. Walk up Couraça Estrela and Couraca de Lisboa to the Botanical Garden. You relax while enjoying the birdsong. Pass through Praça D.Dinis square and head through the university buildings to the Old Cathedral/ Sé Velha.

2.5 Euro — church and patio of Coimbra's Old Cathedral/Sé Velha, built in the 12th century and hardly rebuilt afterwards. A rare example of pure Romanesque style. Inside you will see carved wooden Gothic retablos by Flanders masters of the late 15th century, Spanish-Arabic tiles of the 16th century from Seville, paintings, stone retablos by Renaissance sculptors Nicolau de Chanterenne and João de Ruão. ⠀

Satisfied, you continue your way, descending the Quebra Costas staircase to the only surviving entrance to the city, the Arco Almedina. You head to Praça 8 de Maio, where a stunningly beautiful and old church stands.

3 euros — Church of the former Augustinian monastery Mosteiro de Santa Cruz, the national pantheon. In addition to the church itself, the entrance ticket gives you the opportunity to visit the rich sacristy with paintings by Portuguese painter Master Vasco, the atmospheric patio, the upper choir and the main chapel with carved stone tombs of the first two kings of Portugal. It's best to plan a visit 1pm-4 pm, when no masses are held.

The famous Café Santa Cruz, once a small church, stands wall to wall with the church facade. It's an atmospheric place! ⠀

2,5 euros — a free concert of Coimbra's version of fado with a taste of coffee and crúzio cake or a glass of Beirão liqueur. The concert takes place twice a day at Café Santa Cruz, starting at 18:00 or 22:00. What is the main plus point of this place is that you spend as much as you can afford, with no mandatory minimum or ticket purchase, and you can leave at any time.

It's 10 euros!