Your stay — Casa da Alta
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The Property — Casa da Alta
Casa da Alta is a modest, family-run guesthouse tucked into the old town's upper alleys, a few minutes' steep walk from the university. The lobby is tiled in traditional blue-and-white and smells of fresh bread from the small breakfast room. It suits independent travellers or couples who want a quiet, authentic base near the historic core without paying for a river view. The USP is location: you’re steps from the Joanina Library, but far enough from the bar strip to sleep well.
Cronache di Coimbra
Coimbra has been a focal point since Roman times, when it was called Aeminium. The Moors held it until 1064, after which it became an early capital of Portugal. The university, founded in 1290 and one of the oldest in Europe, moved to the hilltop royal palace in 1537, shaping the city’s academic character. Baroque and Manueline architecture dominate the Alta (upper town), while the lower city along the Mondego River is more commercial. Today Coimbra remains Portugal’s student heart, famous for its fado tradition and a noticeably young, intellectual energy.
Best Time to Visit
Guida completa di Coimbra →Best months
May, June, September: warm (22–28°C), low rainfall, and the university is in session so the city feels alive without being overrun.
Peak / festival surge
July. The Queima das Fitas student festival (usually early May) is the biggest event, but July is high tourist season due to European summer holidays. Hotel prices in July are at their highest, often 30–50% above shoulder season rates. The city is crowded with tourists and the heat can hit 35°C.
Budget shoulder season
April, October. April still has rain but fewer tourists and lower prices; October is mild and quiet, with room rates dropping 20–30% from July.
Weather & packing
Coimbra has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. In mid-July, pack light cotton clothes, a sun hat, and sturdy walking shoes for the steep cobbled streets — plus a cardigan or light jacket for evening breezes off the river.
Live City Briefing — Coimbra
- The main square, Praça do Comércio, is undergoing pavement restoration until late 2026, which may cause minor detours for pedestrians near the lower town.
- A new bike-sharing scheme, 'Coimbra a Pedal', launched March 2026 with 15 stations along the Mondego riverfront, offering cheap rental for visitors.
- The city recently announced extended opening hours for the University of Coimbra’s botanical garden until 7pm during July and August.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa da Alta, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th floor), as they tend to be quieter due to being further away from the street noise on Rua António José de Almeida. These floors also have access to the lift, making it easier to navigate the hotel.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it can be noisy. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance may experience occasional noise from staff and deliveries.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on a relatively quiet street doesn't offer any notable views. However, rooms on the upper floors may have a view of the surrounding rooftops.
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise on the ground floor and 1st floor, especially during peak hours. The hotel's location on a main road means you'll hear some traffic noise, but it's generally not excessively loud.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's location by walking to the nearby University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is within a 5-minute walk. Request a room with a window that opens for some fresh air, as the hotel's interior corridors can get a bit stuffy.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa da Alta
free, up to 500 MB, then €5.00 per 500 MB; no login constraints
yes, serves all floors
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) available on all devices
14:00 – 00:00; early bag-drop available; late check-out fee €20.00 until 14:00, €50.00 after
available at the hotel, complimentary
step-free access, wheelchair accessible entrance, one wheelchair accessible room
on-site parking available, €15.00 per night; nearest public car park (P1) €10.00 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person, per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: €100.00 advance deposit, €50.00 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Lurdes (336 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Sé Nova de Coimbra (560 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São Salvador (657 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Igreja Evangélica Nova Jerusalém (671 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerias Avenida — 249 m · ~3 min walk
Jardim de Montes Claros — 219 m · ~3 min walk
Museu da Ciência — 463 m · ~6 min walk
Teatro Académico Gil Vicente — 534 m · ~7 min walk
Parque Infantil de Montes Claros — 237 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 376 m · ~5 min walk
Farmácia de Santa Isabel — 367 m · ~5 min walk
Snack Attack — 193 m · ~2 min walk
Passeios de Barco - O Basófias — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro (EUR)
You can exchange currency at the Coimbra Airport or at a Banco Montepio branch. Be aware that airport exchange rates are generally unfavourable.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Coimbra, including contactless payments. Mobile payments are also accepted in many places, especially in the city centre.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in restaurants and bars is considered polite. For hotel staff, €1-2 per bag is sufficient for porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee costs around €1.50-2.50, and you can find affordable options at local cafes, especially in the university area.
You can find a meal at a local tasca (small eatery) for around €5-7, with options like sandwiches, soups, or pasta dishes.
A budget dinner at a local restaurant can cost around €10-15 for a main course, with options like grilled meats or fish.
The area around the university and the riverside is known for its affordable street food options, including traditional Portuguese snacks like pastéis de nata and francesinha.
Local supermarkets like Lidl and Intermarché have branches in Coimbra, offering a wide range of affordable products.
You can find affordable high-street shopping at local markets like the Mercado de Bolhão, which offers a variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
A day pass for public transportation in Coimbra costs around €4.50, and you can buy it at the local train station or online. From the airport, take the bus ( Aerobus) for around €3-4.
Buy a rechargeable Viva Viagem card for public transportation to avoid buying individual tickets.Take advantage of happy hour offers at local bars and restaurants.Walk or bike instead of taking taxis, especially in the city centre.
Good to know — Coimbra
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Coimbra112 is the single European emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire. For non-urgent police matters, call the local PSP station on +351 239 857 600. English-speaking operators are usually available. Keep your accommodation address handy.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Coimbra, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa da Alta
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 376 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Farmácia de Santa Isabel — 367 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Portagem (Lower City) → Alta (Residencial Botânico)
💡 Not a tram — it's an articulated electric bus that climbs the steep hill from the Mondego riverfront up to Rua Larga. Get off at 'Praça da República' stop. The hotel is 2 mins walk east. Buy a rechargeable 'Andante' card at any kiosk, avoids loose change.
Coimbra-B Station → Coimbra Parque (Estação Nova)
💡 Only use this for local transfers if you're light on bags — the link is a shuttle train (Linha da Lousã) that connects the main station to the lower city. Residencial Botânico is a 5-min walk north from Estação Nova.
Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Coimbra Bus Terminal
💡 Buy tickets online at Rede Expressos for €12. The bus drops you at Terminal Rodoviário, then it's a 10-min walk uphill to the hotel — skip that if you have bags, take a short taxi (€5).
Porto Airport (OPO) → Residencial Botânico
💡 Fix the price before getting in at the rank — drivers at OPO often quote €120 if they see luggage. Pre-book via Taxi Coimbra for a solid €85 flat rate.
Informazioni su Coimbra
Wikipedia ↗
Coimbra, officially the City of Coimbra, is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population of the municipality at the 2021 census was 140,796, in an area of 319.40 square kilometres (123.3 sq mi). It is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, and is th...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa da Alta?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th floor), as they tend to be quieter due to being further away from the street noise on Rua António José de Almeida. These floors also have access to the lift, making it easier to navigate the hotel.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa da Alta?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it can be noisy. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance may experience occasional noise from staff and deliveries.
Is Casa da Alta noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise on the ground floor and 1st floor, especially during peak hours. The hotel's location on a main road means you'll hear some traffic noise, but it's generally not excessively loud.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa da Alta?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on a relatively quiet street doesn't offer any notable views. However, rooms on the upper floors may have a view of the surrounding rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa da Alta?
Take advantage of the hotel's location by walking to the nearby University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is within a 5-minute walk. Request a room with a window that opens for some fresh air, as the hotel's interior corridors can get a bit stuffy.
What time is check-in at Casa da Alta?
Check-in at Casa da Alta is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa da Alta have Wi-Fi?
free, up to 500 MB, then €5.00 per 500 MB; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa da Alta?
€2.00 per person, per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa da Alta?
You can find a meal at a local tasca (small eatery) for around €5-7, with options like sandwiches, soups, or pasta dishes.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa da Alta?
A day pass for public transportation in Coimbra costs around €4.50, and you can buy it at the local train station or online. From the airport, take the bus ( Aerobus) for around €3-4.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra?
May, June, September: warm (22–28°C), low rainfall, and the university is in session so the city feels alive without being overrun.
Principali attrazioni a Coimbra
💡 Skip the paid ticket for the Joanina Library if you're on a budget. The São Miguel Chapel often has short free entry slots during services.
💡 Stand at the side entrance to hear the choir practising during evening mass (weekdays around 17:30). Best for atmosphere without paying.
💡 Enter from the lower gate near Rua do Arco da Traição to avoid the steep main steps. The bamboo grove at the top is the coolest spot on hot days.
💡 Combine with a walk along the riverside from the Ponte de Santa Clara. Bring water – the uphill path is steep.
💡 Arrive just before 10am on Sunday to avoid the queue. The crypt with the Roman forum remains is the standout – spend time there first.