UNESCO Route in Central Portugal

We start the first stage by visiting the first UNESCO World Heritage Site on this route: the University of Coimbra - Alta e Sofia. The University is considered one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1290, and during the visit you can visit such unique places as the Joanine Library, the Chapel of St. Michael, the Tower, the Room of the Capelos, the Academic Prison or the Archers' Room.

• Photo spot: view of Coimbra from the Santa Clara Bridge.

Taking advantage of the fact that we are strolling in the vicinity of the University of Coimbra, we decide to mingle with the students and have lunch in the university cafeteria. 

Eating while sharing a table with students coming and going from their classes integrates us even more into the atmosphere of this university city.

From the upper part of the city, where the university is located, we wander through the narrow streets of Coimbra and wander aimlessly through the old town. 

We visit such emblematic places as the new cathedral and the old cathedral of Coimbra. We go into dead-end alleys and continue walking until we reach the most commercial area, Ferreira Borges Street and 8 de Mayo Square, where we can once again feel the youthful and student atmosphere of one of the liveliest cities in Portugal.

We start the day at the second UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Convent of Christ in Tomar, just 84 kilometres from Coimbra.

We took a leisurely stroll through the rooms and cloisters of this convent, trying not to miss the paintings and tiles on the walls, which hold secrets and mysterious legends about the Order of the Temple that ruled the place for so long.

After travelling just 35 kilometres from the Convent of Christ, we arrive at our second stop of the day and third UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Monastery of Batalha.

The monastery, which was built to celebrate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians in 1385, is an architectural jewel in the Gothic style and one of the most impressive monuments in Portugal.

We have to highlight the Imperfect Chapels, also known as Unfinished Chapels, which are three chapels with an impressive decoration and stained glass windows, but with the peculiarity that they are open to the sky.

The third stage of this trip starts at what will be the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site: the monastery of Alcobaça, some 21 kilometres from the monastery of Batalha.

The size of the rooms in the monastery of Alcobaça, such as the kitchens or the prayer room, allows us to imagine the large number of monks who lived in this monastery in its heyday. 

It is worth noting that this is where the tombs of Dom Pedro and Dona Inês are located, who were the protagonists of Portugal's most tragic love story and for which Dona Inês is known as the queen of Portugal who reigned after death.

We come to the last point of our getaway through the World Heritage Sites of central Portugal: Óbidos.

Considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country, Óbidos invites us to wander through its narrow streets and enjoy its calm rhythm.

We take advantage of any of the terraces of the cafés in Óbidos to put a sweet end to our route, enjoying a delicious cream cake, so typical of Portugal.