Coimbra and Aveiro Day Tour from Lisbon: Enjoy Portugal’s Intellectual City and Little Venice
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Coimbra
Experience the intellectual charm of Coimbra and the enchanting beauty of Aveiro on a day tour from Lisbon. Visit the world-renowned university and the stunning Johannine Library in Coimbra, and explore the picturesque canals and Art-Noveau style houses in Aveiro. Optional activities include tasting the famous suckling piglet and taking a mini-cruise on a colorful Moliceiros boat.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Coimbra - The city of Coimbra, internationally renowned for its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), served as Portugal’s capital until 1255. Known as the City of Knowledge, it exudes culture from the banks of the Mondego River to the hills where the university stands. Visitors can explore the Johannine Library, hailed by the British newspaper “The Telegraph” as the most astonishing library in the world. Commissioned by King Joao V, this baroque-style library is a testament to the cultural vision of Europe’s wealthiest monarch at the time, whose coffers were filled with gold from “Minas Gerais” in Portugal’s Brazilian colony. Enjoy free time to stroll through the town center and visit the Santa Cruz Church, which houses the tombs of Portugal’s first king, King Afonso I, and his son, King Sancho I. (Entrance fees apply)
  • Aveiro - Lunch (optional):
    If you wish to have lunch, your guide can recommend restaurants in the Coimbra area. The famous dish here is “leitão da Bairrada” – suckling piglet cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.

Aveiro:
Aveiro is often called the Venice of Portugal. A ride in a “Moliceiro,” the traditional boat of this region, is a must. You’ll glide through the city’s numerous water channels and the “Ria” (a saltwater river) where the salt industry has thrived since the Roman Era. Take some leisure time to wander the historic center, characterized by “Art Noveau” style buildings, local shops, and pastry stores where you can purchase the renowned “Fleur de Sel,” the king of salts. Don’t miss tasting the famous “Doce de Ovos Moles” of Aveiro, the region’s traditional egg sweets. (Boat ride tickets not included)

What's Included
  • Certified professional driver-guide
  • High comfort Mercedes Benz vehicles
  • All taxes included
  • WiFi and bottled waters on board
  • Accident and liability insurance
What's Not Included
  • Entrance tickets
  • Clients meals and lodging
Additional Information

Coimbra, the historic university town of Portugal situated in its heart, served as the capital until 1255. The city is known for its distinct intellectuality and unique mysticism. From the university balcony, one can admire the scenic views it offers. The Johannine Library, acclaimed by ‘The Telegraph’ as the world’s most magnificent library, is also a must-visit.

Mealhada, where we’ll have lunch, offers an opportunity to savour the renowned suckling piglet (optional).

A short journey from Coimbra takes us to Aveiro, the Portuguese equivalent of Venice. We’ll explore the antiquated centre with grand houses featuring the Art-Nouveau style from the 19th and 20th centuries, built by affluent local businessmen involved in the salt industry. You can also choose to take a mini-cruise (optional) on one of the colourful Moliceiros boats that traverse the canals. Be sure to taste Aveiro’s famed local delicacy, Ovos Moles.

Location
Coimbra
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
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Eric48640
Jul 12, 2023
Custom Tour of Coimbra from Lisbon - We did a custom tour of Coimbra from Lisbon and were then dropped off at the train station there so we could continue our vacation in Porto. Jorge was easy to work with as we put together a tour plan and our guide Vasco was excellent on the day of the tour. We were transported in a very comfortable van. Vasco provided an excellent history and lots of details of the sites at every stop and made a quick on-the-fly small addition to our tour at the end when we had time. I asked for bids from several private tour companies and Premiere Tours gave me the best price and most quickly understood what I was looking to do as I gathered information from all of them. Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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