Mostly known as Portugal's major university city, Coimbra already had a vast history when the famous university was founded there. When it was settled by the Romans, Coimbra was named Aeminium. A short drive from Coimbra lies Conimbriga, the largest Roman site in Portugal, home to impressive mosaics. Later on in its history, Coimbra even became the capital of Portugal from 1131 to 1255. Nowadays, Coimbra is an essential stop for anyone wishing to get to know Portugal in depth.

Of course, the top thing to see in Coimbra is the city's famed university. Founded in Lisbon in 1290, the university was then transferred to Coimbra in 1308 and it remains there to this day. The oldest university in the Portuguese-speaking world, it also boasts one of the world's finest libraries. Steeped in history, the university's buildings were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Apart from its academic appeal though, Coimbra has a lot more in store for the curious traveler, such as the tomb of Portugal's first king - Afonso Henriques - in the Church of Santa Cruz.