Walking tour of Coimbra history of Peter and Inês the Holy Queen

Coimbra
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Price from: €30Check availability
  • Price from
    €30
  • Duration
    10 h
  • Group size
    Up to 15 travellers
  • Guide languages
    Portuguese, English

Overview

Discover the most romantic and secret side of Coimbra, away from the crowds.

In this guided experience, we cross the Mondego River to explore Santa Clara — one of the city’s most fascinating places where stories of love, tragedy and spirituality cross.

We start at the majestic Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, a unique place marked by the floods of Mondego, where time seems to have stopped. Between ruins and silence, you will discover how the Clarisses lived and the challenges they faced over the centuries.

We then head to the imposing Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, built to replace the old monastery. Here rests one of the most beloved figures of Portugal — the Queen Santa Isabel — wrapped in legends of miracles and devotion.

The journey continues to the charming Quinta das Lágrimas, the scene of one of the most tragic love stories in Portuguese history: Pedro and Inês. Between gardens and fountains, you will revive this intense narrative that has gone through centuries.

What's included

  • Entrance to the Quinta das Lágrimas
  • Entrance to the Church Queen Santa

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Private transportation

What you will do

  • Largo da Portagem

    The meeting point will be at Largo da Portagem, in the historic centre of Coimbra, next to the statue of Joaquim António de Aguiar. Here we will make a brief introduction to the city and the strategic role of the Mondego River before starting the walk towards Santa Clara.

    10 min

  • At the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, participants discover the original ruins of the monastery founded in the 14th century and understand the Readership of the floods of the Mondego River on the life of the Clarisses. The connection to Queen Santa Isabel, the challenges faced by the religious community and the importance of this space in the history of Coimbra will be explored. The site allows a unique reading between medieval architecture, archaeology and living memory.

    At this time it is not possible to enter due to floods

    10 min

  • In the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, we will visit the interior of the convent that welcomed the community after the Mondego floods. Here we will know in detail the history of Queen Santa Isabel, her tomb and the consolidation of her cult over the centuries. The space offers privileged views of Coimbra and allows you to understand the spiritual, political and symbolic dimension of this significant figure in Portuguese history.

    30 min

  • At Quinta das Lágrimas, we will walk through the historic gardens where lived the forbidden love between Inês de Castro and Dom Pedro I. We will visit the locations associated with the legend, including the Fountain of Tears, as we revive the passion, conspiracy and tragic death that forever marked the history of Portugal. An engaging moment that unites nature, romance and historical memory.

    1 h

Meeting point

Largo da Portagem next to Banco de Portugal and the Guide finds himself with a blue stand at the neck and a beje rain guard

End point: Exit from the Farm of Tears

Important information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.