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Ahhh, Portugal!
Your sun-kissed southern shores, with golden sands extending for miles on end, the vintage tramways that rattle up your capital’s hilly, pastel-colored neighborhoods, and the vast wine country dotted with fairytale villages to the north.
It’s no wonder digital nomads can’t get enough of it, but while millions of expats flock to the same three destinations, resulting in a staggering rise in the cost of living for locals, there are lesser-known spots that are just as incredible, yet remain undiscovered.
If you’ve been considering Lisbon for the culture, Porto for the affordable food, and the Algarve for the great weather, then you’ll love Coimbra:
Why Are Some Nomads Swapping Lisbon For Coimbra?
Located in central Portugal, Coimbra is a riverside city boasting mild winter temps––it’s currently a pleasant 62.6°F degrees out, with overnight lows of 51.8°F––and a high concentration of historical landmarks dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Even if you haven’t been to England, we’re sure you’ve heard of Oxford or Cambridge, centuries-old university cities that have issued some of the greatest innovators known to mankind.
Well, if you’ve ever wondered what’s the Portuguese equivalent to an ancient center of knowledge, it’s right here, in Coimbra, as it is home to the 13th-century University of Coimbra, Portugal’s oldest and one of Europe’s most prestigious.
Coimbra Will Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
We’re not sure about you, but we do feel particularly productive in an intellectual, diverse environment, and Coimbra’s ever-growing student populace, hailing from all over the world, keeps the city young, fresh, forward-thinking, and vibrant.
The historic center is one of the best areas for mingling with locals, as it is packed with quirky bars such as What’s Up Doc, O Reitor (Portuguese for ‘Dean’), and Pinga Amor, a happy hour hotspot for students looking to unwind.
This is a city with a population of over 106,000 residents, a significant percentage of those being visiting foreigners, so needless to say, you’ll have no issue getting around by speaking English or making friends if you’re the sociable kind.
Postcard-Ready Corners Just About Everywhere
Lining a fast-flowing Mondego River, the longest river entirely located within Portugal’s national territory, the Old Town is a collective of postcard-ready corners, with its narrow streets covered in calçada portuguesa (the unique Portuguese pavement patterns), ornate churches and medieval palaces.
The main attraction is obviously the University of Coimbra, as it hosts the richly-decorated Joanina Library, but don’t miss out the 12th century, Romanesque Sé Velha (Coimbra’s cathedral), or the historically-significant Church of the Holy Cross.
It is where the first two kings of Portugal are buried, and its Baroque organ is surely one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see––and while you’re at it, don’t forget to swing by the nearby Safra Restaurant to try their Portuguese-style codfish.
You’ll thank us later.
Coimbra Is Very Nomad-Friendly!
University cities are usually the best for digital nomad infrastructure, as they have a plethora of public libraries, cafes, and coworking hubs catered to students and laptop owners in general, and Coimbra is no exception:
For the best coffee shop in town, with friendly waiters and a welcoming community of expats, check out Kava, or if you don’t mind the noise of the buzzing streets, Quebra Bar offers a lively atmosphere, great beer, and they even host live performances in the evening.
There are free WiFi hotspots scattered all over Coimbra, especially in proximity of the university, but also in the Municipal Market, our go-to spot for street food (and where you can get the most delicious custard tarts in town), and the verdant, peaceful Botanical Garden.
An Affordable Alternative To The Capital
The average internet speed across Coimbra is an average of 23Mbps, and even if you run out of data, any of the riverfront cafes are sure to have free WiFi available to sitting-in customers––on top of that, prices are definitely on the cheaper end.
Ordering a pastel de chaves (a traditional veal-filled, half-moon-shaped pastry) and some orange juice from a bakery will set you back by roughly $4, if not less, and a main dish in an inexpensive restaurant frequented by locals will cost on average $10.43.
Rent is also relatively affordable in Coimbra, especially outside the city center, where a one-bedroom apartment can be as cheap as $565-a-month, if you’re residing officially in Portugal, while private rooms for short to mid-term visitors start from $633 on Airbnb.
A Digital Nomad Hotspot In The Making
Coimbra is currently the 15th highest-charting digital nomad destination on Nomads, the main source for tracking digital nomad trends globally, and nomads seem to love it for its:
- Cost: in total, monthly expenses average an acceptable $2,231
- Fun: as pointed out above, there are plenty of Bohemian bars to pick from
- Weather: it’s usually sunny regardless of season, and winters are never too cold
- Safety: Coimbra has lower rates of pickpocketing and violent crime than other European cities
- Walkability: much of the historic center can be seen on foot, and the city, in general, is very pedestrian-friendly
According to their insights, downsides may include a lower number of digital nomads in town (if feeling as if you’re part of a community is important to you), there are many smokers, and alcohol consumption is high.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
