Joanina Library & Coimbra University | Expert Guide since 2012
Description
Step into the heart of Portugal’s most prestigious university with VIP access, guided by an official and passionate local expert guide who's also a former student of this centenary institution. GO! Walks Portugal has been working as certified guides and travel consultants since 2012... and we are proud graduates of the University of Coimbra! We offer an insider’s perspective of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, fully adapting the visit to your pace and interests. No rushed group tours here. This exclusive experience gives you direct access to the Royal Palace, the stunning St. Michael’s Chapel, and the breathtaking Joanina Library - one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. More than just facts and dates, we share the legends, student traditions, and hidden stories that bring centuries of Portuguese history to life. Whether you're a curious traveler, a history lover, or simply looking to be amazed, this is your moment to discover Coimbra as few ever do.
Tour Options
Itinerary
we will visit the campus and all its monuments, classified as UNESCO World Heritage in 2012
we will visit this famous library and you'll learn everything about it!
We will enter the beautiful St Michael Chapel at the University of Coimbra
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(166)
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and super friendly. She took her time with us at each spot and had many funny anecdotes along the way! Although the time allotted in each spot was short it was also short for the people who were self guiding with their tickets. At least in our brief time we were able to get a lot of information!
Sara offered us an incredible tour through the University and Joanina Library. Her pace, seamless entries and in-depth information was simply outstanding! To be guided by a proud ex student is an invaluable experience, as you get the best insight of all the traditions and campus life from the historical times right up to the present. We thoroughly enjoyed being guided through this Stunning University. Thank you Sara for hosting us with such enthusiasm. Chanel and Menanteau
This tour was really interesting, the library alone was worth it but St Michael’s chapel and the throne room also were incredible.
Sarah is an exceptional guide - very professional, knowledgeable and pleasant. She made the tour very interesting and enjoyable.
Sarah was an exceptional guide - very knowledgeable, pleasant and professional. She made the tour very enjoyable and informative.
Hello Lawrence! So glad to have welcomed and guided you. Receiving this feedback is the cherry on top of the cake 🎂 all the best, Sara Cruz - GO! Walks Portugal
This was a very informative tour. I suggest going early in the morning when we did as there are less people there at that time and you don’t have to be in large crowds on this very popular tour. It was amazing and beautiful. Highly recommend.
So glad that you joined me on this tour and enjoyed it 🍀 it is true that 9am (or 5pm) are excellent to get away from the crowds! It makes all the difference. You are welcome back anytime!! All the best Sara
I visited this university and found the fascinating. It was very interesting and unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I wish I had moretime to spend at this place because I did not have the opportunity to enjoy everything I could. I will certainly come back!
Hi Kevin! Great to receive your feedback 🍀 it is indeed an amazing place full of history and deserves a slow pace and attention. Come back anytime and ask for a private tailored tour, I am sure you will absolutely love the extra information adapted to your pace. All the best Sara
No valuable historic information was shared. We could've done this by ourselves. The tickets for monuments were shared for us to do this ourselves.
Hello Yvonne, I am surprised with such terrible comment and also your not very honest attitude, complementing me after the guided tour and now coming to write this on my back. All the valuable information was shared and I did the tour as I always do, with all the historic information and local context from someone who studied at this University and guides here for 14 years now with pretty much nothing but great feedback. What happened, to clarify those reading, after the tour I shared the tickets with you so that you could actually visit more than the regular circuit of the University composed by the Royal Palace, Academic Prison, Middle and Royal Levels of the Library. As usual, when the Chapel is being used for ceremonies - which happens regularly for the Academic community as I explained - the entrance isn't possible. However, the ticket I have given you also allowed you to enter the Chapel after the ceremonies. To clarify I had no obligation to share that ticket with you, but I did because you could enjoy more of the University after the tour. I have given you the information about the Chapel outside during the tour, and told you to go there afterwards because it's worth seeing. I took my time and spent more than usual explaining what else you could visit in the city so that you could make the best use of your time here. And I remember you turned your back and went to the toilet and shop while I was left explaining it to your son, who was actually very nice to me. So, with this said, next time you are being given a service, talk to your guide and ask your questions to avoid situations like this to happen again. Of course you could have gone on your own: but the insight and navigation wouldn't allow you to understand the History and importance of this place. Unfortunately, I guess you didn't hear me because you didn't understand it. I am sorry for that. All the best Sara Cruz
Sara is a highly experienced tour guide who is passionate about Coimbra. We felt so lucky to have booked a tour to the Joanina Library with her. Magical place.
Carolyn, I am so glad to receive your feedback and it was great guiding you! You are welcome back anytime to discover more magical places! All the best Sara
Entries are timed. Library was impressive. I had hoped to see a lecture hall, but we did not. The history was interesting.
Hi Randal! Not sure that you have taken the guided tour with our guide, your comment seems to be at the wrong location. All the best.
