Top Beiras Culture

One of the world's oldest universities, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portugal's University of Coimbra is a special place—but it can be tricky for first-time visitors to know where to go. Instead, leave all the planning to someone else on this small-group, guided tour of the university's highlights. Look forward to discovering the magnificent Joanina Library, St. Michael's Chapel, and more, all while learning insider facts and stories.

Discover the rich history and traditions of Coimbra and its ancient university during this guided tour. Join your dedicated tour guide and walk around the campus of Portugal’s oldest university, visiting the Royal Palace, chapel, the assembly room, and the stunning Joanina Library. Then, venture out to the city to see key landmarks including the cathedral, the Barbican Gate, and the Santa Cruz Monastery.

The University of Coimbra is Portugal's oldest university and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a private tour that adapts to your pace and interests, led by a former student. Learn about the centuries-old history, traditions, and secrets as you walk around campus to visit St. Michael’s Chapel, the St. Sebastian Aqueduct, and conclude at the stunning Joanina Library.

Step into the fascinating world of the Knights Templar on this private guided tour through the historic town of Tomar. Explore the magnificent Convent of Christ, one of Portugal's most extraordinary monuments, and uncover the stories, symbols and mysteries left behind by the Templar Order. Continue through Tomar's charming historic center, visiting landmarks such as the Statue of Gualdim Pais, the Church of Saint John the Baptist and one of Portugal's oldest synagogues, while discovering the city's remarkable Templar and Jewish heritage. Conducted entirely at your own pace, this experience offers the perfect opportunity to explore one of Portugal's most captivating historic destinations.

Portugal’s humble village of Fatima is home to an extraordinary religious event. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover the remarkable story of three young shepherd children who claimed to have witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. You’ll walk from their modest homes to the magnificent sanctuary that now attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Along the way, you’ll hear about the miracle that transformed this rural community into one of Catholicism’s most sacred sites. The tour starts at Francisco and Jacinta’s house, where you’ll glimpse the simple life of these peasant children through the preserved family home. You’ll find out how the children’s visions culminated in the famous “Miracle of the Sun” which was witnessed by approximately 70,000 people on October 13, 1917. The tour ends at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, where the three visionaries – Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia – now rest.

On this walking tour you’ll discover all of Coimbra’s main attractions. It’s the perfect way to discover the city if you only have a few hours. If you have more time, this is also the best way to get na introduction. Then you can take advantage of the tips given on the tour to explore some aspects in more detail in the following days. Don’t just limit yourself to a few historical anecdotes about the city. Take a tour led by a guide registered with the national tourist office, but in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere. Get the knowledge, context and experience from a local. With this tour you will get: - Na overview of the city’s history - Passage through all of Coimbra’s main attractions - Knowledge of the most important academic traditions - Tips on restaurants and best places for photos and panoramic views - A quick reference guide to the city in paper or pdf format

Founded by the Romans as "Aeminium", Coimbra buzzes with life till today. We'll gather downtown near the river, where the music of street performers meets the daily hustle of one of Coimbra's most iconic streets. Surrounded by small streets that weave in and out of the main road, you'll learn about the churches and the stories they keep within their walls. We'll get to know these places more intimately, and we'll stop for a coffee or a snack along the way. Up the hilly way we go to take in view and get acquaintance with the University, academic culture in Coimbra, and its many quirks. After getting to know the University we'll make our way just down the road by the impressive Roma aqueduct, and enter the country's most important botanical garden where you'll learn of its origins and relevance that it still holds today. The plaza where the students gather in the late afternoons, by entrance of the magical Mermaid Garden, awaits you at the end of your journey. - What are you waiting for?

What lies beyond the usual story of Fátima? Discover Fátima on a private walking tour designed for curious travellers who want to understand this extraordinary place—not simply visit it. Explore the Sanctuary with a knowledgeable local guide and discover the history, architecture, art and symbolism behind one of the world’s most important pilgrimage destinations. Learn about the 1917 apparitions and how Fátima evolved from a rural village into a global centre of pilgrimage. Explore its monuments, sacred art, architecture and recurring symbols, while choosing the perspective that interests you most: religious, historical, cultural or even non-religious. We distinguish clearly between documented history, religious tradition and later interpretations or speculation. This is not a conventional pilgrimage tour. It is a thoughtful exploration of Fátima’s history, meaning and mysteries. Private. Personalised. Historically grounded. History without myths. Mystery without fiction.

This isn't just a tour of Coimbra's landmarks—it's an introduction to the city's soul. Through history, local legends, academic traditions and everyday life, you'll discover how life feels in Coimbra. Led in small groups, every experience is personal, interactive and designed to help you see the city through the eyes of someone who truly knows and loves it.

Immerse yourself in a unique and intimate experience with a private guided walking tour of Fátima. Discover the story of the three shepherd children—Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta Marto—who witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady in 1917. Your tour will take you to the sacred sites of these apparitions, the shepherds' homes, the basilica where their tombs are located, and the places where the Angel of Peace appeared. For a more complete experience, choose the 4-hour option to complete the Way of the Cross along the path once traveled by the shepherds.

Discover one of Portugal’s largest Roman settlements—and couple visits to ancient ruins with a museum excursion—during this private-half day Conimbriga tour. Choose between morning and afternoon start times, depart from your Coimbra hotel, and travel via private vehicle. You’ll discover Conimbriga’s ruins and famed aqueduct, will visit the PO.RO.S - Portugal Roman Museum in Sicó, and can also explore the Museu Monografico de Conimbriga.

Our journey begins at the feet of the King who founded this legacy, D. Dinis. From there, we will embark on a captivating voyage through the centuries, tracing the dramatic evolution of Coimbra from its ancient Roman roots to the bustling academic hub it is today. You will discover how the university transformed not just minds, but the very architectural and urban landscape of the city. I invite you to step through time with me to visit the ancient palace of the first king, a breathtaking gold-over-blue chapel, and the magnificent golden Baroque library. After soaking in all this deep knowledge and rich history, I invite you to take a well-deserved rest with me at the historic Botanical Garden. Beneath its canopy of exotic trees and hidden pathways, we will unwind and let the spirit of the city truly sink in.

On this walking tour you’ll discover all of Coimbra’s main attractions starting on top of the hill until downtown. Old and New cathedrals tickets are included. It’s the perfect way to discover the city if you only have a few hours. If you have more time, this is also the best way to get an introduction. Then you can take advantage of the tips given on the tour to explore some aspects in more detail in the following days. Don’t just limit yourself to a few historical anecdotes about the city. Take a tour led by a certified guide registered with the national tourist office, but in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere. Get the knowledge, context and experience from a local. With this tour you will get: - An overview of the city’s history - Passage through all of Coimbra’s main attractions - Knowledge of the most important academic traditions - Tips on restaurants and best places for photos and panoramic views - A quick reference guide to the city in paper or pdf format

Learn about the history of Coimbra and the academic traditions of its university on a private tour of the most unique streets and landscapes of this exciting city. Let yourself be guided by former students from Portugal's most traditional university, who will take you to discover the most picturesque and traditional streets, the lesser-known corners and the places with the best panoramic views of Portugal's first capital. For photography lovers, romantic walks or simply to enjoy a panoramic and global view of the best Coimbra has to offer, this tour promises to surprise you.

Coimbra was home to a substantial Jewish community between the 900s and 1500s. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll discover its dramatic past in one of Portugal’s most historic cities. You’ll also hear lesser-known stories about its cultural resilience and survival. The tour starts in Largo da Portagem, the grand square beside the Mondego River. You’ll follow the city’s main pedestrian street towards the old Jewish Quarter, past medieval stone walls and a labyrinth of steep streets where centuries of drama unfolded. You’ll stop outside the house of Aristides de Sousa Mendes where you’ll find out how, despite Aristides’ courage during dark historical moments, he suffered social, political and economic retaliation and ended his life alone and impoverished.

Explore the legacy left by the Jewish community in the city and learn about its passage here, always keeping the national context in mind. When did the Jews arrive? When did they leave and why, and how did they leave the country? Where did they live in Coimbra? What is your importance and legacy in the city and in the country? What connects Coimbra/Portugal to the Second World War? These are some of the questions we will try to answer along the way. To know places in Coimbra linked to its Jewish past, some of great national and international importance (such as the Inquisition Courtyard, or the Jewish Quarter). Discover the incredible legacy of the Jewish community in Coimbra. On this tour, if the reservation is made in advance, and depending on the availability of the Coimbra City Hall, I can request a visit to the historic Mikveh (the visit to the site will be with a guide from the City Hall).

Visit remote places up in the mountains outside Coimbra that take a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to reach on this private tour of the schist villages around Lousã Mountain. Drive up into the mountains to see a series of these scenic villages made of shale stone, some of which will involve hiking to reach and passing through forest home to local wildlife. Places on this tour are limited to travelers.

The Sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal is a place of pilgrimage that moves any visitor from the first moment. It is a place that inspires peace, respect and devotion. It is one of the largest Marian Sanctuaries in the world and a popular visit for Popes. The Chapel of Apparitions is where you can feel the devotion of the pilgrims in a spiritual and intimate way. It is here that you will find the image that appeared to the Little Shepherds for the first time on May 13, 1917. As you walk through the Sanctuary, you can feel the energy that emanates from the countless faithful who arrive there with open hearts and renewed hope. The Sanctuary of Fátima is a place that overflows with incredible energy. - Visit the main basilicas and chapels of the sanctuary of Fátima - Discover the story of Our Lady's apparitions in 1917 - We always have a surprise for customers; - You will have free time for prayer/shopping;

The whole story of my life is linked to Our Lady of Fátima and the Little Shepherds. Daughter of Portuguese immigrant parents in Brazil, both from the Fátima region, I feel that I carry with me a hereditary responsibility, since my maternal grandfather was a cousin of the Pastorinhos Jacinta and Francisco. This is an experience prepared with a lot of commitment and care so that you can look through the constructions of the Sanctuary of Fátima to what they lead us to contemplate. On our guided tour you will learn what the foundations of the message of Fatima are, many unforgettable stories and we will also make a brief spiritual portrait of the Three Little Shepherds of Fatima.

Watching the candle procession is a chilling and fascinating experience. Contact with God is always present in this breathtaking atmosphere

Discover the history and heritage of the region on a day trip from Coimbra, visit some of the most beautiful Schist Villages in the region and two of the most important castles in the region. Learn about the history and heritage of the Coimbra region by visiting the best unknown places, true treasures located around the city. This private tour will take you to explore the Villages, get lost between nature and schist and learn about the details that allow you to imagine what life was like for the inhabitants in the past. Discover the habits and customs that persist over time and lose yourself in the beauty of these stunning Villages. In between, you will also learn more about the history of Portugal past civilizations as we visit two of the most important Medieval Castles in Coimbra, military instruments that still remain after centuries. Start your tour from the city, I will contact you beforehand so that we can choose a place to collect. If you have look some wild animals may say hi!

Private guided route in an off-road vehicle with driver/guide through places of greatest natural, human and cultural heritage of Serra da Estrela: Tower (highest point in Serra da Estrela and mainland Portugal), Poço do Inferno (largest waterfall in the mountains), Covão da Ponte (recreation area on the Mondego river), Mondego river valley, including the chapel of Nª Srª de Assedasse, the option to visit Folgosinho, Linhares da Beira, Penhas Douradas and the Vale do Rossim Dam, glacial valley of the Zêzere river valley and Covão d’ametade, Santinha, Cabeça do Pharaó, Azinha and Corredor dos Mouros, with viewpoint of Capela S. Lourenço. The route can be changed, according to the group's departure and arrival location, the available time and existing atmospheric conditions. We guarantee the best experience in Serra da Estrela!

Experience the epic tale of the Knights Templar in Tomar on this exclusive full-day guided tour. This is more than a tour—it's a meticulously crafted historical narrative that chronologically traces the Templars' story, from their origins to their enduring legacy in Tomar. Your journey begins at the Convent of Christ, the heart of this tale. Explore how the Templars' fortress transformed over the centuries, evolving from a powerful military stronghold into a magnificent architectural testament to their influence. Our guide will reveal the story behind the architecture, from the superb Knights Templar Round Church to the majestic Manueline Window. The narrative continues in the afternoon, where you will explore Tomar's old town. Discover how this medieval settlement flourished under their guidance. With our expert guide, you will gain a profound and engaging understanding of the Templars’ pivotal role in Portuguese history. This is the story of Tomar, told as it happened.