Environment
Coimbra is located in the central Portugal - in region Centro - a region of diversified landscapes.
There is the coastal plain with golden beaches
(Silver Coast)
- well known and favored by surfers from all over the world!
Here you will also find some of the best golf courses in Europe.
There is also the mountainous inland - dominated by the Serra da Estrela mountain. The green, rugged landscape
of this region is crisscrossed by rivers.
Outdoor activities are fishing, horse-back riding, hiking, tennis and canoeing (and, in the Winter season,
skiing in Serra da Estrela).
Some distances of interest
The closest airport is Porto Internationale Airport, located 150 km away.
It is 20 km to the mountains and less than 1 km to the nearest river.
In Portugal the Atlantic Ocean is always "close by" - distances from estern inland border will
maximum be a two hour drive. The closest beach is 40 km away.
Climate : Inland clima with hot dry summers and cold winter weather Town character : University city Primary Industry : Service industry
Population in city proper: 102.000 inhabitants, and in the municipality: 149.000 inhabitants.
Coimbra is a city and municipality in the central part of Portugal. Over 430,000 people live in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Coimbra.
Coimbra served as the country's capital during the First Dynasty (12th Century) and remains home to the University of Coimbra - one of the oldest in Europe (founded in 1290).
The wealth of the city rests mostly on its University of Coimbra with about 35,000 higher education students - but also in shopping, technology and health sciences industry, administrative offices, financial services, law firms and specialized medical care. The city has many private clinics, medical offices and two large independent state hospital centres.
Like most university cities, Coimbra is home to many students from elsewhere, including thousands of international students. The university attracts visitors from around the world due to its monumental buildings and history - making the city an important touristic destination.
The Burning of the Ribbons
Coimbra is also known for its university students' festivals. The most important one, Queima das Fitas (The Burning of the Ribbons), takes place at the end of the second semester and is one of the biggest student parties in all Europe. It lasts for 8 days - each for each University of Coimbra's Faculty.
Wine from the region of Centro
Portugal produces some of the world's finest, oldest, unique and highest value-added wines.
The country has a large variety of native breeds - about 285 - producing a very wide variety
of different wines with distinctive personality.
