- 1. Quinta das Lágrimas
- 2. Sapientia Boutique Hotel
- 3. Hotel Oslo
- 4. Tivoli Coimbra
- 5. Vila Galé Coimbra
- 6. Hotel Ibn Arrik
- 7. Riversuites
- 8. Conimbriga Hotel do Paço
- 9. Hotel Dona Inês
- 10. Hotel Astoria
This historic hotel stands on the site of a real-life “Romeo and Juliet” story -- the tragedy of prince Pedro and Inês. In 1355, King Afonso IV forbade his son from marrying Inês because of her Spanish origins, but the couple married in secret so the king had the princess murdered. Legend says that the water of a spring that ran through the park surrounding the 18th-century palace which is now the hotel are Inês’ tears. This palace is the best place to stay in Coimbra, and also offers the city’s best gastronomic experience in its restaurant “Arcadas,” which for a while was the only Michelin-starred restaurant in central Portugal. There’s also a luxurious spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and a library.
Three buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, located right next to the university, have been turned into a boutique hotel with a contemporary interior. From the rooftop bar there’s a view of the river and the university, while some of the rooms face the entrance to the university’s famous library and its clock tower. The other double rooms, suites, studios, and apartments face a pleasant courtyard.
Offering one of the best postcard views of Coimbra from its rooftop, this family-run hotel is a short walk from the train station and the main sights. The 38 rooms vary in size, but all feature the same simple, contemporary design. The superior rooms on the top floor have a balcony facing the old city.
This 4-star hotel is located halfway between the train station and the old town. Some of the 100 spacious rooms have a view of the university. Services include massages on request, a business center and a restaurant.
It’s located by the river, so nearly half of its 229 rooms have a river view. Many also overlook the outdoor pool, and most have a balcony. It’s in the modern part of the city, but about a 15-minute walk from the attractions in the old town center. Facilities include two restaurants, a spa, and meeting rooms for business travelers.
Located on one of the city’s main streets, which connects two of its most popular green spaces (the Botanical Garden and Jardim da Sereia), this classically-styled hotel can be a good value. Rated four stars, it offers an indoor pool, a small fitness center, and spa services.
As the name indicates, this guest house is found by the river and is made up of suites, but there are also basic rooms and apartments. The 1940s building has been completely renovated, and a few of the 26 units have a balcony with a view of the university.
If you’re interested in visiting the Roman ruins in Conimbriga, this is where you should stay. For many years, it was part of the “Pousadas” (historic hotels) chain, but new management has renamed it, while leaving much of the classic interior untouched. The building dates back to the 16th century, but was burned down by Napoleon’s troops in the 1800s. It was rebuilt as an aristocratic residence, and turned into a hotel in 1993. There are 43 rooms, all with balconies and garden views, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant. The drive to Coimbra is about 15 minutes, and to the ruins of Conímbriga it’s just over 5 minutes (or a 35-minute walk).
This is a superior 3-star hotel, located about a 15-minute walk from both the train station and the old town center (and less than 5 minutes from the bus station). There are 84 rooms, including a dozen suites, and different twins, doubles, triples, and family rooms. The restaurant is a good choice to try Portuguese cuisine, and there’s also a swimming pool, a tennis court, a fitness center, business and meeting facilities, and a spa.
This iconic building is one of Coimbra’s grandest, but the hotel it houses is rated just three stars and the interior is now dated. Still, the riverfront location (around the corner from the pedestrian street that leads up to most of the city’s attractions) is unbeatable, and there are views from many of the 60 rooms. Open since 1926, it’s one of the city’s oldest hotels, and the Art Nouveau architecture hasn’t changed since its early days.