If you have a car, you can cover Coimbra and the coast in three days. Alternatively, you can veer inland and drive directly to the mountains—just don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take to negotiate those winding mountain roads.
If You Have 3 Days
Spend your first morning in Coimbra, with a stroll through the Cidade Velha (Old Town) and the university. In the afternoon visit the Roman ruins at Conímbriga. The next day, follow the Rio Mondego to Figueira da Foz,spending time in its popular beach resort, or to the quieter sands of Buarcos, the neighbouring fishing village. Head up the coast and move inland to visit the china factory in Vista Alegre, and use the rest of the day and evening to explore Aveiro, the famous Ria de Aveiro, and the delightful little coastal villages along the sand spit, such as Costa Nova, south of Aveiro.
If You Have 7 Days
Start in Coimbra and Conímbriga, as above. The next day, stop to visit the castle at Montemor-o-Velho on your way to another night in Figueira da Foz, from where you can visit the beach resort or Buarcos, and drive out to Cape Mondego to enjoy the view and the sunset.Continue along the dune-lined coast on the third day, and after stops in Costa Nova and Vista Alegre, make your way to Aveiro, Portugal’s little Venice. The following morning, take a boat trip through the narrow waterways and marshlands that make up the Ria de Aveiro, and after lunch continue on to Viseu by way of Ovar and the castle at Santa Maria da Feira.
On your fifth day, continue east from Viseu and make a loop that includes visits to the fortified towns of Celorico da Beira,Trancoso,Castelo Rodrigo, and Almeida—a pleasant drive through the sparsely settled countryside over little-traveled roads. Spend the night in the mountain bastion of Guarda or at one of the charming country hotels within the Serra de Estrela. The next morning, either visit the cathedral and museum in Guarda, or devote the whole day to exploring the magnificent high reaches of the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, with its breathtaking views, heart-pumping hikes, and thriving flora and fauna. Leave the park at Seia. Continue by way of Penacova to the forest of Buçaco, just north of Coimbra. Be sure to visit the opulent Palace Hotel and if it’s within your budget, spend the night; there are more modest accommodations in the nearby spa town of Luso. On your last day, explore the options of the local spas before returning to Coimbra.