Surely, during one of your journeys, you happened to come across the “serendipity” a voyage- related term, so beautifully used byAmericans,that is the chance of reaching a destination which you subsequently came to understand; you needed to feel, see and tell about, while seeking it, actually, a place that you had read about&gather documentary evidence.
Eh, this the way the splendid Coimbra entered my life: by a sweet chance ,while looking for the BuçacoPalace.It was a kind of encounter I needed to have and,if you get to Portugal, don`t miss this fairy city. The list of the reasons why you should visit it? Here`s one below:

Coimbra is one of the most important university center in Portugal,ithosts one of the most vibrant student festivals in Europe,the oldest university in the country being located in the heart of the city,it`s a UNESCO heritage site,and its buildings,streets and story combine different ages and styles,in a stunning way,comprising a whole history of arts book:starting with the Arabic influences ,passing through the medieval,baroque and Renaissance and ending with a peculiar modernism.

Colored list of Coimbra:

1. Go for a leisurely stroll in the tiny streets of the old center

and after passing by Arco de Almedina,take your time and drink some Port wine,at one of the terrace bars on RuaQuebra Costas.

from there you can go up to SéVelhaCathedral,with a small fortress look and then keep going up higher ,at Sé Nova Cathedral,as impressive as its elder sister.

2. Visit the old wings of the University ,declared a UNESCO heritage site,among which the famous Joanina library is not to be missed.You will see why!

3. If you want to buy some lovely souvenirs,choose taking a look round the shops with wonderful things made by local craftsmen and not only,such as A de Amor ,or those with exceedingly beautiful pieces of ceramics,at Malabar in Ferreira Borges Street and in Quebra Costas  street.

4. Stop at a café ,at Santa Cruz Café ,the best in town ,dating back to the early 20th century ,a space of the local,artistic bohemians.

5. Take a look round the Botanical Garden,which is a park with an obsolete charm,typical of Great Expectations ;it`s in top 5 oldest in the world.Wow!

6. Eat at ZéNeto or at ZéManel dos Ossos,where you are going to discover an extremely delicious cuisine,in an unpretentious&and relaxed setting.

7. Don`t fail to listen to some fado at Á Capella,asfado has unusual valences here,being different from the one in Lisbon;I promise you won`t regret a sec listening to it in a former chapel with a unique acoustics.

P.S.: From Coimbra you can get to Buçaco Palace in 20 minutes ,a palace now converted into a hotel,which ,if you fancy visiting ,book a table for lunch or dinner(if it`s summertime, ask eating on the terrace ) it richly deserves being visited,it looks as if taken out from fairytales,and the gardens make the setting complete in the best possible way.