Erasmus in Coimbra

Coimbra is no ordinary city: it is the student city of Portugal, where the Universidade de Coimbra, founded in 1290, has shaped the identity of the town for over seven centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013, the university dominates the Alta hill and its famous Pátio das Escolas, where the baroque Biblioteca Joanina houses centuries-old manuscripts guarded by book-loving bats. With around 140,000 inhabitants — nearly a third of them students — Coimbra lives entirely to the rhythm of its university.

Here, academic traditions are alive and omnipresent: the capa e batina (black cape worn by students), the Tunas (student choirs in traditional costume), the Praxe (codified hazing rituals, modern version without humiliation), and the fado of Coimbra, sung exclusively by men in capes. Two major moments mark the year: the Festa das Latas in October, welcoming new students, and the legendary Queima das Fitas in May, eight days of parades, processions and concerts celebrating the end of studies.

Beyond the university, Coimbra charms with its romantic and literary atmosphere, bathed by the Rio Mondego crossed by the Ponte de Santa Clara. The city embodies Portuguese saudade, that bittersweet blend of melancholy and nostalgia. With one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, a human scale and an intense nightlife, Coimbra is one of the most endearing Erasmus destinations on the continent.

The student housing market is abundant and affordable in Coimbra, which welcomes thousands of Erasmus students every year. The residências universitárias managed by SASUC (Serviços de Acção Social) offer the cheapest rents (from 150-200 EUR/month), with priority given to Erasmus students — apply as soon as you are accepted. On the private market, expect 250 to 500 EUR/month for a shared room, often with utilities included.

The main platforms are Idealista.pt, Erasmusu, Erasmus Play, Inlife and Pepe Housing. ESN Coimbra also regularly publishes listings and offers welcome kits. Avoid classic scams: never pay before visiting or holding a video call with the landlord.

As for neighbourhoods: the Alta (historic upper town) is the academic heart, right next to UC, but rents are higher. The Baixa, at the bottom of the hill, concentrates shops, bars and restaurants. Celas is residential and quiet, ideal for studying. Santo António dos Olivais is very student-oriented, lively and close to Campus II. Sé Nova offers a good compromise between historic charm and reasonable prices.

Excellent news for 2026: the transport pass is FREE for young people aged 18 to 23 throughout Portugal, including SMTUC buses in Coimbra. Simply register on the official platform to benefit from full free transport.

Coimbra is a human-sized city: everything is easily done on foot, although the sloping topography (between the Alta and the Baixa) can be tiring. SMTUC buses complete the network, particularly to Campus II and III and residential neighbourhoods.

For travel within Portugal, Coimbra-B station is served by CP fast trains: about 1h15 to Porto and 1h30 to Lisbon. The nearest airports are Porto (1h30 by train + metro) and Lisbon (2h). Low-cost coach companies Rede Expressos and FlixBus complete the offer to Spain and the rest of Europe.

Coimbra's academic tradition is unique in the world and forms an integral part of the Erasmus experience. The black capa e batina worn by students, the academic hymn sung in several voices, the Praxe (codified integration ritual, modern version without humiliation), the Tunas (student choirs in traditional costume serenading in the streets): everything reminds you that you are at Portugal's oldest university.

Nightlife centres on the Baixa, around Rua de Quebra-Costas, Pátio das Escolas and Praça da República. Student bars serve 1 EUR beer and the night never starts before midnight. Two major events punctuate the academic year: the Festa das Latas (Latada) in early October welcomes the caloiros (freshmen), and above all the legendary Queima das Fitas in May — Portugal's largest student festival, 8 days of parades, cortejos, concerts and the blessing of the fitas (ribbons symbolising each faculty).

ESN Coimbra organises an intense programme of activities: tours of the Alta district, international nights, hikes in the Serra da Estrela, weekends to Porto or Lisbon accessible by train in about 1h15-1h30. Don't miss a walk along the Rio Mondego and a trip to Conímbriga, one of the largest Roman sites in the Iberian peninsula.

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is essential to sign a lease, open a bank account or subscribe to a contract. It can be obtained free of charge at the Finanças of Coimbra with your passport and proof of European address. Non-EU students may need a fiscal representative.

For banking, the classic options are Activobank (fully online, free) or Millennium BCP. Many Erasmus prefer to keep a European neobank such as N26, Revolut or Wise, perfectly accepted in Portugal and convenient for transfers. For healthcare, the European EHIC card covers urgent care; private complementary insurance is recommended for routine care.

Non-EU students must obtain a student visa before departure, then apply for a Residence Permit with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, which replaced SEF) within the first weeks after arrival.

The official language is European Portuguese, and the Coimbra accent is traditionally considered the standard accent of Lusitanian Portuguese — which is why many foreigners come here to learn the language. Beware, European Portuguese is very different from Brazilian (pronunciation, vocabulary, conjugation): if you learned the Brazilian variant, expect an adjustment period.

The Faculdade de Letras of the University offers Cursos de Português para Estrangeiros through CILP (Centro de Investigação em Linguagem e Plurilinguismo), with semester and intensive sessions, often at reduced rates or free for Erasmus. A2-B1 level is very achievable in one semester.

English is well spoken by young people and in the university environment, but much less outside. To practise, ESN Coimbra organises language tandems and international nights every week. Learning a few essential expressions (obrigado/a, se faz favor, bom dia) will be greatly appreciated by locals.