Home : Discovering Destinations

Best hotels in Europe

6 Best hotels in Europe

Here is our top list of best hotels in Europe. Read on and get ready to zzzz easy

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

Within you’ll discover the list of best hotels in Europe. We carefully selected our list of accommodations and ranked them based on various criteria.

Having visited a few cities in Europe, we now have a good grasp on what qualifies a terrible versus a great hotel.

Our ranking is quite simple, since we travel to explore the destination city we know we won’t be spending a lot of time indoors. Find our criteria and list of best hotels in Europe below.

” Proximity to the city center is one of our most important criterion, since it allows us to save time going to and from plus it saves us money for car rental / public transportation “

Our Criteria

Here is the list of important criteria when looking for overnight accommodations.

1. Accessibility

We usually look out for accommodations in proximity to the city centre and try to combine this with our allocated budget. However, there are instances where we need to extend to the outskirts when the cost per night is too high.

For instance, this was the case when we searched for a place to stay in Amsterdam. Luckily we found what we felt was the perfect solution.

Check out our recommended accommodation in Amsterdam, in suggestion number 3.

2. Quietness

Since we spend little time in our hotel or BnB rooms, quietness is also very important for a good night’s sleep.

If we spend 2 or 3 night in a particular city, chances are we’ll only stay in our room to shower and sleep. In this case, we’ll want to maximize our exploration time in the city so we’ll need a great night’s sleep. Which is why quietness is important.

Unfortunately, this criterion is hard to evaluate from the hotel’s website, which is why we use Google Reviews or other to get a better impression from previous guests.

3. Cleanliness and ergonomic

Our first impression is usually based on how clean the room is along with its layout and liveable space. We’re no clean freaks however, we enjoy the peace of mind that our room is clean and well prepared. It shows that hotel management is concerned and respectful of their guests.

We also prefer the natural fresh feel rather than stuffiness or overpowering scent of harsh cleaning products. Again, this is something to look our for in guest’s reviews as the hotel may or may not elaborate on this topic.

4. Inclusions

Usually the large hotel chains have a long list of inclusions on their pre-booking page. However the smaller scale BnB’s and Inn’s might not publish this.

We recommend that you make a list of what’s important to you and make it a point to seek them out. For instance, you might need to blow dry your hair or use an ironing board when getting ready for a nice restaurant.

It’s also nice to be surprised. A few of our recommendations below managed to pleasantly surprise us once we arrived onsite.

5. Personality

At number 5, we have personality. For a few reasons, we usually try to give our business to the smaller businesses rather than large hotel chains. One, of those reasons is that large hotel chains lack personality because everything feels almost generic.

Usually, smaller accommodations have the ability to wow with the personality of the building and rooms, the staff and the decor.

Each recommendation that we have in this blog has impressed us with their personality. They have managed to create a different experience for us, almost like an escape from our vacation!

Read on.

Here is the list of our favorite accommodations.

1. Les Voiles Vertes, Mont Saint Michel

There was a mix of hype and stress as we planned our trip to see the Mont Saint-Michel. We wanted to plan our trip to this remote part of the world correctly because missing our shot would be very costly.

Part of our stress came from understanding the accessibility of the Mont. Our worries were ‘where to stay’ and ‘was it necessary to rent a car’ ? Luckily, when we found ‘Les Voiles Vertes‘ many of our questions were answered.

It’s a BnB ran by a charming British lady between Ponterson and the Mont Saint-Michel. Our host, Marianne helped us with transportation to and from the Ponterson train station as well as a few local lifts. She also offered to prepare tea before bed as well as a delightful breakfast.

We only wish we could have stayed longer to explore the region, especially since Marianne seemed to have such great recommendations for us.

Our Voiles Vertes Ranking :

Accessibility 4/5

Let’s face it, the Mont Saint-Michel is a highly touristic area, however it’s not exactly a bustling city with lots of public transportation. Nonetheless, our host Marianne made it super smooth for us with help to and from the train station and a few local trips.

Quietness 5/5

There were a few rooms inside this BnB, yet we didn’t hear a peep from anyone except during the day. We had two nights of restful sleep.

Cleanliness 5/5

Our room was organized in a very British fashion and met our cleanliness standards.

Inclusions 5/5

Our host, Marianne offered to prepare tea for us at night. She was very attentive to our needs and made various suggestions to make our stay more enjoyable. The best gift, as we’ve already described was the help in getting to her place with a lift in her car !

Personality 5/5

This BnB has style and that’s what we look for when travelling. The decor was clean, simple and had purpose. Everything blended well together, from the rooms to the hostess herself.

Highly recommended to stay at Les Voiles Vertes. Please feel free to book using our affiliate link to Hotels.com

In conclusion, Les Voiles Vertes was part of our best hotels in Europe because of the proximity to the Mont Saint-Michel, the spacious room and the wonderful host Marianne.

Les Voiles Vertes

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Ponterson with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

2. Fun Key, Brussels

Funkey, pay for what you need European style.

We immediately loved this place as we scoped it online. Especially the intelligent room sizes format, Small, Medium, Large etc.

Arriving in Brussels early on a Saturday morning fresh off the redeye flight, we needed a place to leave our bags prior to checking in. Fun Key was able to accommodate by letting us check our bags so that we could roam the city until checking in later.

Above all, FunKey oozes style from the room cartoon art decoration, the colourful pattern at reception and breakfast nook

Our FunKey Raking :

Accessibility 3/5

On the plus side, FunKey is very affordable as you pay for the size you need. However, it’s not exactly downtown Brussels. We made our way to the centre with the bus, otherwise it’s a 20-25 minute walk to the attractions.

Quietness 5/5

We felt our room was quiet during our 3 night stay in Brussels.

Cleanliness 4/5

Our room was clean, simple and tidy. Some parts of the establishment felt a little clunky (entrance, game room), however for the most part everything felt really clean.

Inclusions 5/5

The inclusions at FunKey were different. For instance, instead of a key they provided a small cell phone which would allow entry to the main building plus the room. The breakfast was quite elaborate and great to load up for a day of discovering. Plus, it was possible to borrow a computer from the reception. Oh and they had a beer fridge at the reception too !!

Personality 5/5

FunKey was our first real taste of hotel room with personality. We adored their concept and wished we could have stayed longer. Even the front reception staff were nice and approachable. They suggested non-touristy-local places to visit.

In conclusion, FunKey was part of our best hotels in Europe because of the uniqueness in decor and style, it’s open approach and easy to speak with reception and simple yet delicious breakfast.

FunKey

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Brussels with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

3. Frans Hals Loft, Amsterdam

Frans Hals Loft was perfect for our stay in Amsterdam.

We wracked our brain trying to find a place to stay in Amsterdam. At a first glance, we felt everything was so expensive, plus we couldn’t figure out where to stay. It made it especially hard when we knew nothing of the city layout and accessibility.

Frans Hals Loft was a little far from the train station plus we felt the taxi driving tried to take advantage of us. Additionally, it came with a few last minute surprises some good others not so much. However, once we were checked in, we immediately fell in love with the place.

Frans Hals Loft is located just outside the main city centre, however it’s located in a quiet, quaint and stylish neighbourhood.

Our recommendation is that once you arrive in Amsterdam, purchase the 48 or 72 hour public transportation pass. This will allow you to travel to and from the city centre. On the plus side, the accommodation is located 10 minutes from the Museum Quarter and 5 minutes from the Heineken factory!

Our Frans Hals Loft Ranking :

Accessibility 3/5

As mentioned in the description above, Frans Hals Loft is well positioned in the city. We did have a little difficulty getting to the establishment initially though and felt the taxi driver tried to pull a fast one on us.

Our room was a little far from the city centre, however close to the Museum Quarter and the Heineken factory. So overall, very well positioned.

Also, the room is located on the 3rd floor of a single home. Try to picture an attic with a lower roof line. The stairs heading up are quite steep, which is something to bear in mind when preparing your luggage.

Quietness 4/5

As mentioned, the room is located on the 3rd floor from a single home. It felt like the top level was converted to gain more space and create rental property. This said, we could sometimes hear the individual on the lower level. However nothing too excessive that would prevent us from sleeping.

Cleanliness 4/5

Our room was clean, simple and tidy. Albeit very small, yet we had everything we could possibly need and perhaps even more.

Inclusions 5/5

To our surprise, the host regularly fills the small mini fridge with goodies in case you want to stay in one night to snack. This is especially great for your first night seeing how it’s possible to stay in and enjoy local treats.

We were also impressed when our host decided to help us carry our luggage up the 3rd floor. We’re not exactly sure that he does this for everyone. So be sure to pack lightly!

Personality 5/5

We were spoiled during our Brussels / Amsterdam trip because our accommodations were simply spot on. First we experienced FunKey and then Frans Hals Loft. Having our own little space on the top level of a home in Amsterdam made us feel like locals. The entire apartment was well decorated and stylish. Quite impressive for such a small layout.

In conclusion, Frans Hals Loft was part of our best hotels in Europe because we had our own space, the loaded refrigerator with goodies and the value we got for our money.

Frans Hals Loft

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Amsterdam at the Frans Hals Loft with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

4. Estalagem do Marvã0, Portugal

Estalagem do Marvão made us feel like royalty.

Marvão was a wild card, last minute addition to our trip to Portugal. Oddly enough, it is one of the most memorable destinations from our entire trip.

A screen saver image of Marvão is how we first heard of this destination. The city is located on Portugal’s eastern border and roughly 4 kilometres from Spain. Positioned atop a large mountain, you’ll be amazed as you make your way up to the city. We definitely recommend renting a car, unless of course you’re planning a bike tour of Portugal.

Marvão is quite small, so everything is a short walk away. The only accessibility issue is getting here. Staying overnight at the Estalagem felt like staying inside a castle.

Our room had an old chamber feel to it, yet it was properly furnished, clean and well decorated. We also enjoyed the Mercearia de Marvão, which is the small convenience / grocery store located at the main entrance.

Our Estalagem do Marvão Ranking :

Accessibility 3/5

For starters, you definitely need a car to get here. Mind you, we met cyclists that were travelling from village to village so that’s an alternative if you’re in shape.

Marvão is located on top of a mountain, like an entire fortified city. Watch out for the GPS as it might not make the distinction between a road and pedestrian street. That’s because the roads are extremely narrow. However, once you arrive at your destination, it’s all worth it for the view !

Quietness 5/5

Our room was quiet, perhaps it had to do with the large castle like walls.

Cleanliness 4/5

The room was simple and clean. A private bathroom was included in the room, we also had a small workspace and a beautiful view from our window.

Inclusions 5/5

Although the room was simple, we had access to a grocery / convenience store at the base of the establishment. We also had a very good breakfast and our host was great about suggesting places to visit.

Personality 5/5

The castle like feel of Estalagem do Marvão was style in itself. We also enjoyed the family owned feel from the establishment. There was a small binder in the room, explaining the family’s mission in Marvão. We definitely recommend a stay here, for the unique accommodation experience and to visit the magnificent city !

In conclusion, Estalagem do Marvão was part of our best hotels in Europe because of the staff, the market on the main floor and the unique castle like rooms.

Estalagem do Marvão

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Marvão with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

5. Staycity Aparthotel Dublin

Very spacious and accommodating Staycity Aparthotel in Dublin.

Arriving in Dublin early on a Saturday morning fresh off the redeye flight, we needed a place to leave our bags prior to checking in. Staycity Aparthotel was able to accommodate by letting us check our bags.

We enjoyed our spacious 2 bedroom apartment, since it felt like a home away from home. There were few nights where we decided to stay in and we took advantage of the kitchen, dining room and living room.

We reckon that Dublin is a party city and it was felt late at night. The party noise carried from other apartments and into ours, however the reception could quickly manage the issue.

Our Staycity Aparthotel Ranking :

Accessibility 4/5

Located just a short walk from Dublin’s downtown core, we were roughly 10 minutes by foot from the famous Temple Bar. Also well positioned to visit the Guinness and Jameson factories.

There are a few Staycity Aparthotel locations in Dublin, ours was located on Saint Augustine Street. Which was a brief walk to one of the oldest pubs in Ireland – The Brazen Head!

Quietness 3/5

Well that depends on your neighbours. In general everything was fine, however one night in particular we heard a rumble as drunken folks made their way back to their rooms. They were stuck in the courtyard and forgot the key code to enter the building and started shouting for help. We called the (24hour) front desk and they quickly took care of things.

Cleanliness 4/5

The apartment was clean and spacious. We had two bedrooms, we think there was an upgrade at no extra cost. There was a musky smell coming from the washroom, however it was most likely moisture or humidity since when we wedged the door open – the smell dissipated.

Inclusions 4/5

Access to the apartment in Dublin was more than we could ask for. Although there are so many pubs to visit and eat dinner, sometimes it’s great to stay in for the evening. We received guests one night and enjoyed the kitchen, dining room and living room.

The 24 hour front reception was a plus, although the night staff looked uninterested to work, we felt secure.

We arrived in Dublin at 8am from a red eye flight and were happy to learn that we could leave our luggage in a locker upon arrival. That way we could roam the city and come back to check our room later!

Personality 4/5

Although Staycity Aparthotels exist in various cities in Europe, it didn’t give off a generic and franchise feel. The brand felt welcoming and consistent with its details.

In conclusion, Staycity Aparthotel was part of our best hotels in Europe because of the spacious apartment, proximity to the city centre and amenities.

Staycity Aparthotel Dublin

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Dublin with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

6. Oporto Guest, Porto, Portugal

Oporto Guest is perfect for Harry Potter fans or anyone looking for a jazzy place to sleep!

Travelling in Europe without a data plan can be challenging. This became evident when we made our way to Porto by car. It was quite difficult to communicate with the host in order to swap the key. However, once we checked in and got our keys, it was smooth sailing until the check out.

We enjoyed the spacious apartment with various Harry Potter decorations. It felt cozy and comfortable, like a home away from home. We enjoyed all aspects of the apartment, the proximity to the city attractions, spacious and well furnished rooms.

Our Oporto Guest Ranking :

Accessibility 3/5

On the positive side, Oporto Guest house was easy to find via GPS navigation. It was also perfectly located inches away from ‘Rua de Santa Catarina’ pedestrian street. Which made our discovery of Porto that much more enjoyable!

On the downside, we felt it was difficult to communicate and access the owner. On our end, we didn’t have a data plan therefore we communicated with the host when connected to wifi.

Once we had an ETA, we relayed this to the host as we expected to meet them in person at the establishment. Needless to say it was very complicated because the host sent another individual to leave the key and they weren’t there at the time we specified.

Quietness 4/5

The apartment was relatively quiet throughout.

Cleanliness 4/5

The apartment was clean and well decorated. Although there were many Harry Potter decorations, it was tastefully decked out and didn’t feel overly cluttered.

Inclusions 4/5

Luckily, once we found the individual to pick up our key, they informed us we had access to an indoor parking lot. That was very relieving as we didn’t have to worry about street parking.

The apartment was well furnished with large appliances, refrigerator, oven, coffee machine. There was even a nice sun room at the very back with a hammock cotton suspended chair.

Personality 5/5

For all you Harry Potter fans, you will love this place as it’s properly decorated with many artifacts. The decoration is tasteful and well balanced.

Overall our room was clean, well decorated and organized. We felt the staff could communicate a little more efficiently and be better organized, especially for key pick up and drop off. Despite our difficulty and confusion with the check in and check out, we recommend that you consider this place when planning to visit Porto!

In conclusion, Oporto Guest Harry Potter was part of our best hotels in Europe because of the proximity to the Santa Catarina pedestrian street, the spacious and well furnished apartment and of course the Harry Potter decorations.

Oporto Guest

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your stay in Porto with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your spending wisely

Use our Orange Key – 47826980S1

To get a head start in your new Tangerine account. You save monthly fees as this is a virtual bank plus your money is accessible in various places in the world !

Available in Europe and South America for easy access to your money, rather than taking out large sums and worry about where to keep it.

To acquire your $50, simply visit the Tangerine website, copy our Orange Key and paste it on the sign up page. Simply note, there are conditions to acquire the $50. Please see the Tangerine website for details.

Where to sleep ?

We chose to book with Hotels.com because they have a large network of hotels. However, it doesn’t stop there Hotels.com now has access to BnB’s, Motels and much more. Additionally, accumulate 10 nights and get one free !

Want to know why we systematically use Hotels.com to book our accommodations ? Click here to find out.

Get your Guide for your city tours

If there’s one thing that takes up a lot of time in new cities, it’s waiting in lines for special attractions. Also, there’s much time lost trying to find the right places plus not knowing how to navigate the city efficiently.

This said, we recommend Get Your Guide to fix your timing issues. Not only will you skip the queue, Get Your Guide also provides a tour guide who will help you along your discovering quest.

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand Coimbra city and how to go about your day. Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

To show your appreciation for the information we’ve mapped out for you, kindly use one or many of our affiliate links to plan your trip. There are no additional costs to you the end user, however we receive a small commission. In turn, we take this money and reinvest it to create a better user experience.

A great way to give back is to help us by using our ‘carefully selected’ affiliates. We now have affiliates for Car Rentals (Hertz), Accommodations (Hotels.com) and Attraction planning (Get Your Guide)! This not only motivates us but allows us to carry on with our Discovering Destinations project !

Hope you enjoy, one city at a time !

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Rebates when renting a car with Hertz

Book 10 nights get one FREE with Hotels.com

Cut the lines with Get Your Guide

Get $50 with our Orange Key 47826980S1

Unforgettable Tour of Coimbra

Tour of Coimbra

Many archaeological structures (well-preserved aqueduct and cryptoporticus) date back to the Roman era. This is when Coimbra was the settlement of Aeminium.

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

Hopefully our Tour of Coimbra blog will inspire you to stopover in this city as you travel within Portugal.

Coimbra leaves a great first impression and inspires visitors as they approach the city entrance. Located on a hill by the Mondego River, it will challenge even the physically fit on their quest to the top.

Coimbra offers an outstanding example of an integrated university city with a specific urban earth science plus its own ceremonial and cultural traditions that have been kept alive through the years.

” Coimbra, previously called Aeminium during Roman times offers an outstanding integration of university city with tourist attractions. “

Getting there

Located roughly 210 kilometres from Lisbon, it takes 2h10 minutes to reach the city of Coimbra. As you might already know from our Eurail YouTube videos, Lia and I enjoy the smooth sailing train rides. That would have been our ideal choice however, it appeared that few cities were accessible by train. Based on our Portugal itinerary we felt we needed a car for better flexibility.

Check out our affiliate link for Hertz car rental to plan your road trip!

Reaching Coimbra from neighbouring cities:

1h20-1h30 and 120-135km from Porto city
50-65minutes and roughly 85km from Fátima city
2h10 and 210km from Lisbon city

Where to stay ?

Stay overnight at the ‘Sapientia Boutique Hotel in Coimbra‘, minutes away from the famous Joanina library. It’s the ideal city location to start your Tour of Coimbra. Book a room using our affiliate link and collect your reward stamps!

The Sapientia Boutique Hotel offers spacious rooms and beautiful views of Coimbra at a price that won’t break the bank.

Sapientia Boutique Hotel

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your night at the Sapientia Boutique Hotel in Coimbra City with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your time

As discussed in our ‘Getting there‘ section, we demonstrated how close in proximity many cities were to Coimbra. Often times this can sidetrack us into thinking we can accomplish more than it’s possible. In hindsight, our day trip; Lisbon to Fátima then Coimbra might have been a little too ambitious because we missed out on a main attraction – the Joanina library that was inspired from the Harry Potter movie series.

Things to consider as you plan your own Tour of Coimbra.

it’s a University city first so commerces and attractions tend to close early
plan the bulk of your sight seeing between 9-5pm
get ready to walk a lot and most of it is uphill

We think you should plan a minimum of 1-2 days to visit Coimbra city. This will give you sufficient time to visit the main attractions and get a sense of appreciation for the Romanesque architecture.

What to visit during your Tour of Coimbra ?

First

Before you start your official Tour of Coimbra, get acquainted with the beautiful and inspiring views of Coimbra city from the Santa Clara bridge. If driving to Coimbra, you might have a chance to get this view and cross this very bridge.

You’ll find exquisite panoramic views from the Santa Clara bridge as well as across the Mondego River.

Second

Kick off your Tour of Coimbra from the bottom-up. Explore the city street labyrinth as you make your way to the top. You’re on the right track once you find the Barbican gate. Spend some time admiring the fine details around the corridor.

In Ancient Roman architecture it’s called a cryptoporticus, which is a covered corridor or passageway.

Continue making your way up as more of Coimbra reveals itself to you.

Lastly

Once you make your way all the way up the hill, make time for the most interesting library you’ve ever seen. The Joanina Library, a Baroque architecture, was built in the 18th century. Some say it’s the one that inspired J.K. Rawlings as she wrote her Harry Potter books.

If your luck and mother nature are in sync then you’ll be gracefully received with a gorgeous sunset!

FYI, there are many great spots to observe the sunset.

Our recommendations

Depending on when you arrive in Coimbra and how long you plan to spend in the city, we recommend that you prioritize your list of attractions. Some of the attractions run on a 9-5 schedule, so make sure to plan accordingly to maximize your sightseeing.

Great for couples and individuals

Coimbra is a small yet charming city with few attractions. It’s a beautiful city to discover by yourself or with a partner / friend. If you love being transported back in time, exploring architecture and enjoying great food, then Coimbra is a great place to vacation.

Recommended circuit

It’s hard to plan a circuit. The best thing we can recommend is to go with the flow and follow what you find attracting.

Ideally, you’ll start discovering Coimbra from the bottom of the hill and gradually make your way up. This way you’ll see the city hump from the water level. Then, hopefully you’ll find the pedestrian streets (R. Ferreira Borgues) which lead to the Barbican Gate.

From our experience, we found multiple ways to arrive at the same destinations. Surely you’ll explore in this fashion and come to the same conclusion.

A little more time

We were told that Coimbra has a beautiful Botanical garden. Moreover, there’s a city park called Manuel Braga which is 10 minutes walk from the garden. In the same area you’ll find the Saint Sebastian Aqueduct Arches and a little further the Republic square.

Understandably we didn’t have the time to visit all these places unless we planned another night in Coimbra. We did however enjoy a beautiful sunset at the very top of the city.

What to bring / wear ?

You’ll want to bring a good camera to capture the beautiful architecture.

Feel free to bring a refillable bottle of water to stay hydrated and perhaps snacks. Mind you, Coimbra, like many cities in Portugal has many pastry and coffee shops to grab snacks on the go.

Clothing

You’ll find cooler temperatures in Coimbra in comparison to Lisbon, so bear that in mind if you travel between these two cities. Besides the temperature, we recommend a good pair of sneakers to walk the cobblestone streets and hike up the mountain. Unfortunately, you’ll have to keep your sandals in your luggage this time around.

Where to eat ?

On discovering days, we like to start with a hefty breakfast this way we can focus on sight seeing. We ate at a restaurant called Estacao doce (the sweet station) at the base of Coimbra. They serve various types of breakfast to crush all kinds of hunger.

Portugal is known for the bakeries and unlike North America, they serve both sweet and salty snacks. Many tourists simply hunt the pasteis de natas however neglect the other delicious desserts the country produces. Check out the ‘Pastelaria Briosa Coimbra’ on R. Ferreira Borgues and ask them to fill a small box with various types of sweet snacks!

Lastly, after a long day of discovering you’ll want to hunt for a delicious restaurant. In Coimbra, there are so many options in such a small radius. Feel free to check Google Maps and filter by proximity to; your hotel, a scenic spot or find the highest rated restaurants. Our hotel recommended Paço do Conde which was a short walking distance away. It wasn’t the most glamorous setting however the food was delicious and service on point.

List of Attractions for your Tour of Coimbra

Coimbra demonstrated many spectacular decorations. Sites you would normally find dull and redundant back home appear intensified here. For example their many churches demonstrate such richness in colour and details.

If you’re interested by our recommendation, feel free to save them to your list of ‘places to visit‘ in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive in Coimbra.

Igreja de São Tiago (church)
Igreja de S. Bartolomeu (church)
Barbican Gate
Praça do Comercio (commercial place)
Sé Velha – Coimbra (church)
University of Coimbra & Joanina library

Plan your spending wisely

Use our Orange Key – 47826980S1

To get a head start in your new Tangerine account. You save monthly fees as this is a virtual bank plus your money is accessible in various places in the world !

Available in Europe and South America for easy access to your money, rather than taking out large sums and worry about where to keep it.

Where to sleep ?

Want to know why we systematically use Hotels.com to book our accommodations ? Click here to find out.

Save time in line with Get your Guide

This said, we recommend Get Your Guide to fix your timing issues. Not only will you skip the queue, Get Your Guide also provides a tour guide who will help you along your discovering quest.

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand Coimbra city and how to go about your day.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Also, a great way to give back is to help us by using our ‘carefully selected’ affiliates. We now have affiliates for Car Rentals (Hertz), Accommodations (Hotels.com) and Attraction planning (Get Your Guide)! This not only motivates us but allows us to carry on with our Discovering Destinations project ! Hope you enjoy, one city at a time !

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Rebates when renting a car with Hertz

Book 10 nights get one FREE with Hotels.com

Cut the lines with Get Your Guide

Get $50 with our Orange Key 47826980S1

The Fatima Sanctuary & the powerful story within

The Fatima Sanctuary

On May 13 1928, the first foundation stone was laid in the construction of the basilica and colonnade of the Fátima Sanctuary.
It was a process that continued until 1954.

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

In 1916, on three separate occasions, Lúcia dos Santos (and her two cousins) began reporting apparitions of an angel. According to the children, they believed it was the Virgin Mary, and began doing penance and self-sacrifice to atone for sinners.

These visitations culminated on October 13th 1917, with the public Miracle of the Sun event. The children imparted that the apparition of Virgin Mary divulged three secrets. First was the vision of the fire on earth (possibly WW1), the date that WW1 would end and lastly that John Paul II would be attacked by firearm (this would occur in 1981).

The sanctuary includes various buildings, shrines and monuments to the religious, political and social consequences of the event. They are dispersed throughout a complex of open panoramas and vistas dominated by the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.

Check out our Fatima Vlog

” According to Lucia dos Santos, apparitions began on May 13, 1917. While tending their family’s sheep in Cova da Iria, Lucia and her two cousins said they witnessed the apparition of what they later wholeheartedly believed was the Virgin Mary “

Getting there

Located roughly 110 kilometres from Lisbon, it takes 90 minutes to reach Fatima city. As you might already know from our Eurail YouTube videos, Lia and I enjoy the smooth sailing train rides. We desperately wanted to visit the Fatima Sanctuary but couldn’t find a train station around. Resultantly, we decided to rent a car to plan a road trip instead.

We managed to cut car expenses in Lisbon by sticking to the Transit Pass. Ultimately, we rented a car the day we left Lisbon. Check out our affiliate link for Hertz car rental to plan your road trip!

Also, feel free to have a look at our other blog about getting around in Lisbon and where to buy the Transit pass.

Driving inside Lisbon city can feel a little intimidating, however once on the highway it’ll be smooth sailing!

Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend money on a car rental, we’re happy to tell you that it’s possible to book a tour from Lisbon city! This way you can visit great neighbouring cities like Nazaré, Obidos, Batalha and Fatima without having to rent a car ! Check out the Get Your Guide link below.

Where to stay ?

We preferred staying in Lisbon since everything is well accessible. Our apartment was called ‘Lisbon Calling rooms and studios‘, 5-minute walk from Cais do Sodré metro station. This made it so convenient for our day trip to Belém and LX Factory !

Lisbon Calling rooms and studios

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your night at the Lisbon Calling rooms and studios in Lisbon City with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your time

Portugal has many neighbouring cities like Obidos, Batalha, Nazaré and Fatima to name a few. These locations are located short distances from Lisbon and perfect for road trips because you won’t be spending entire days travelling. As mentioned earlier, Fatima is roughly 80-90 minutes driving from Lisbon city.

We think you should plan a minimum of 1-2 hours visiting the Fatima Sanctuary. This will give you sufficient time to visit the chapel, the inner square and the flea market just outside the sanctuary. It’s possible to stay longer and even plan an overnight in one of the many well-rated hotels surrounding the Sanctuary. We also noticed many RV’s in the parking lot, in case this is your style.

Additionally, Fatima is the perfect segue to discover the north of Portugal. For instance, the city of Coimbra is a short 50-60 minute drive from the Sanctuary.

What to do when visiting The Fatima Sanctuary ?

First

There’s no need to be religious to enjoy the Fatima Sanctuary. It’s possible to explore the grounds with an open mind, listen to the various stories and enjoy the architecture.

You can start by visiting the basilica at the main entrance. There are great details such as the main altar and stained glass which will definitely distinguish this church from others. There’s also a map of the Sanctuary grounds on the way to the square.

Second

Check out the square in front of the Basilica of the Rosary with the Chapel of the Apparitions. There are large corridors, also called colonnades, branching off on both sides of the basilica. Consisting of 200 columns and half columns and 14 altars, the Colonnade includes a Way of the Cross in ceramic. There are 17 statues, some are of saints (whose congregations exist in Fatima), others are of saints who, were “Marian apostles.”

Inside the square there is also a place to purchase various candles to make promises.

Lastly

Located outside the square is a type of flea market with many vendors selling religious goods. You’ll find them in Google under, “Loja Paz de Fátima”, Peace store of Fátima.

There are also many restaurant options to choose from, all within walking distance from the sanctuary.

Our recommendations

Upon arrival at the Fátima Sanctuary, check out the basilica’s architecture and walk the inner square. Then, plan a lunch near the sanctuary and visit the local shops to encourage the workers.

Great for religious and non-religious individuals

Fátima is a small city with few attractions. We would say, the Fátima Sanctuary is one of the main attractions to visit. As mentioned earlier, there’s no need to be religious to admire the sanctuary.

Recommended circuit

It really depends on your allocated time, whether you’ve planned a group trip or rented a car.

As for visiting the Fátima Sanctuary, we recommend visiting the basilica, then making your way to the inner square. We also recommend paying a visit to the local shops on ‘Praceta de Santo Antonio’. There’s a kind of flea market where they sell various religious goods.

A little more time

Once you’ve gone around the Fátima Sanctuary, you might grow to like it and want to discover more. If this is the case, feel free to see the Chapel of the apparitions and the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.

There’s also a guided museum tour where you can see objects left behind by past visitors in exchange for promises. Additionally, it’s possible to purchase candles and make your own promises.

What to bring / wear ?

Perhaps a thin long sleeve shirt to protect your arms and some sort of hat.

Feel free to bring a refillable bottle of water to stay hydrated and perhaps snacks.

Clothing

For your trip to Fátima, we recommend very casual clothing yet something clean and dressy. You might want to wear comfortable running shoes or sandals.

Where to eat ?

There are many restaurant options in Fátima. We ate at a per kilo restaurant called Restaurante International Shopping and felt it was mediocre. Having a look on Google now, we would choose ‘Manhãs’ Restaurant or Codfish Tavern which have great ratings are a short 10 minute walk from the Sanctuary.

Other local places to visit

The city of Fátima is quite small and you might simply make your way there to discover the Sanctuary. That being said, there are a few other attractions that you might want to visit while you’re there.

If you’re interested by our recommendation, feel free to save them to your list of ‘places to visit‘ in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive onsite.

Wax Museum of Fátima
Interactive Museum – The Miracle of Fatima
City of Batalha (20 minute drive away)

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand the Fátima Sanctuary and how to better compliment your day with other activities. Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Hope you enjoy, one city at a time !

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Rebates when renting a car with Hertz

Book 10 nights get one FREE with Hotels.com

Cut the lines with Get Your Guide

Get $50 with our Orange Key 47826980S1

The Santa Justa Lift, beautiful views of Lisbon

Santa Justa Lift

Come here to see the magnificent lift structure, the ride up to Carmo Square and the gorgeous views of Lisbon.

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

The Santa Justa Lift connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square). The lift almost immediately became a tourist attraction. Having seen a few YouTube videos with the Santa Justa Lift, we knew we wanted to get a closer look!

It’s possible to go up the lift for free when you get the Lisbon transit pass since it’s also operated by Carris, the city transit provider. Then you have the choice to go up another level and get an unobstructed view of Lisbon (which costs roughly 1e50).

” The hills of Lisbon have always presented a problem for travel between the lower streets of the main Baixa and the higher Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square). Civil and military engineer Roberto Arménio presented a project to the Lisbon municipal council in 1874 and the bridge was finally inaugurated in 1901.”

Getting there

The Santa Justa Lift is located 7 minutes walking from the Praça do Comercio. It’s possible to access via Áurea Street, Prata Street or the famous Augusta Street.

Alternatively it’s a 3 minute walk from Baixa-Chiado metro station.

Where to stay ?

We stayed a few nights in a beautiful apartment called ‘Lisbon Calling rooms and studios‘, 5-minute walk from Cais do Sodré metro station. We loved the convenient location since we could walk to a variety of locations, we were also a 5 minute walk to the famous Pink Street !

Overall, there are many ideal locations to book your hotel in Lisbon. Especially if you plan to purchase the Lisbon transit pass allowing you to take busses, trams, metros, trains and bondinhos (street car elevators). Check out our other blog about getting around in Lisbon and where to buy the Transit pass.

Lisbon Calling rooms and studios

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your night at the Lisbon Calling rooms and studios in Lisbon City with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your time

The ride up the lift takes a whole minute, it’s the wait in line that will gobble your time. Just like your typical city attraction, it’s quiet in the early morning and late at night.

We spent a good hour at the Santa Justa Lift, from the moment we arrived at the base, time spent waiting in the queue, going up the elevator plus taking pictures at the very top.

What to do when visiting Santa Justa lift ?

We arrived close to the end of the day on a Wednesday yet there was a buzz in the air. A band was on site and playing some great music. They managed to make the wait time a little more enjoyable and also drew a crowd who sat on the steps.

Go up the elevator to get the amazing view. Once at the top, you’ll already get a great view of Lisbon. It is however gated which makes it tough to get an unobstructed view of the city.

It is possible to pay a small fee to go up another level and get an even greater view !

Our recommendations

Like most attractions, you’ll find fewer tourists early in the day and later at night. The advantage with these timelines, in addition to the smaller crowds is the light for picture taking. You’ll get the best lighting and perhaps a sunrise or sunset – depending on the time you visit.

Great for the family

Yes, there was a couple in front of us with a small child. It might be difficult to kept young ones quiet for an extended period of time, however if there’s a band playing when you visit it’ll make the time go by quicker.

Recommended circuit

Based on our experience, we think you can start on either side of the castle grounds. Get a feel when you enter and perhaps try to gravitate toward or away from the crowds, depending on your preference.

In order to get a good appreciation for the entire grounds, we recommend that you visit all corners.

The Belvedere
São Jorge Fortification
Ruins of the former Royal Palace of the Alcáçova
Garden with Native Forest Species
Archaeological Site

A little more time

We recommend that you spend the extra cash (1E50) in addition to the lift ticket to get the beautiful view at the top.

What to bring / wear ?

Since the Santa Justa Lift is strictly an elevator, there’s no need for specific clothing. However, walking around in Lisbon City can get demanding, so for a full day out exploring the city, we’ll recommend some comfortable sneakers. We usually recommend sunscreen and a water bottle for hydration.

You can also bring snacks to keep your energy up.

Clothing

Lisbon can surprise you with it’s weather, we visited in mid-October and were pleasantly surprised with 25 degree sunny days. However, once the sun went down, the temperature dropped immediately. Bear that in mind if you’re planning to visit in the early spring and fall.

The best advice we can offer is to plan clothing variety offering layers depending on the temperature. For sure, we recommend that you bring caps for protection from the sun.

Where to eat ?

This is a prime location for restaurants so it’ll be easy to find a place to eat. Along Augusta street are rows of patios if you like to sit and watch the action outdoors. Otherwise you can extend a little further and find something closer to the Commercial place (Praça do Comercio).

A few recommendations:

Jardim das Cerejas great vegan options
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau (R. Augusta 106)
As Bifanas do Afonso great traditional bifanas

Other local places to visit

You may want to consider adding some of these destinations to your list of discoveries before or after visiting the Santa Justa List.

Additionally, we recommend that you save these to your list of places to visit in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive in Lisbon.

Praça do Comercio
The Beer Museum
Augusta Street
São Jorge Castle
Santa Luzia miradouro (belvedere)

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand the Santa Justa Lift, it’s surroundings and how to better compliment your day with other activities to tack on.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Rebates when renting a car with Hertz

Book 10 nights get one FREE with Hotels.com

Cut the lines with Get Your Guide

Get $50 with our Orange Key 47826980S1

Praça do Comercio, the commercial centre of Lisbon

Praça do Comercio

Lisbon’s old entry port for all goods arriving by boat. Today it’s a highly touristic spot bustling with restaurants and patios!

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

After the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the square along with many other historical landmarks, were destroyed. The square was completely remodeled as part of the rebuilding of the Pombaline Downtown.

Later the square was named Praça do Comercio, the square of commerce, to indicate its new function in the economy of Lisbon. The U shaped square was then filled with government buildings controlling customs and port activities.

” Lisbon is a city that has historically been hit by many earthquakes. However, on November 1st 1755, an estimated 8.4 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami and fire destroyed most of Lisbon. This included the Ribeira Palace and other buildings by the river. “

Getting there

Praça do Comercio is easily accessible by foot or public transport. Many busses and trams pass in front via Arsenal Street (as shown in the image below). There’s also the Terreiro do Paço metro station located closer to the water, leaving you with a 3 minute walk to the square. On a beautiful sunny day, it’s lovely to walk along Augusta Street, through the Triumphal Arch and toward the Square of Commerce!

Where to stay when visiting Lisbon ?

Lisbon Calling rooms and studios

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your night at the Lisbon Calling rooms and studios in Lisbon City with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your time

Praça do Comercio is a great transition spot, meaning it’s great to pass through as you make your way from one attraction to another. Additionally, there are many restaurants and terraces overlooking the square, which makes it perfect for few drinks and a snack!

It’s conveniently located close to public transport access and very accessible by foot.

We think you should plan 30-40 minutes to walk around the square, admire the centrepiece statue and also visit Cais das Colunas, which is a small sandy beach beyond the square and in front of the water.

What to do when visiting Praça do Comercio ?

First

Check out the Triumphal Arch, located at the corner of Arsenal and Augusta Street. This Arc reminded us of similar landmarks in Belgium and France. The Augusta Triumphal Arch was completed in 1875, with sculpted figures & views over the city centre.

Second

Visit the inner square, statue and shops / restaurants on both sides of the square. The plaza is home to the oldest café in Lisbon, Martinho da Arcada, which was established in 1782!

Lastly

Continue on walking beyond the square to a place called Cais das Colunas. Across the Ribeira das Naus avenue is an old pier with a small sandy beach. It’s not part of Praça do Comercio but in our opinion part of the charm.

Our recommendations

Great for couples

It’s a nice place for a stroll. Get a little more romantic with a walk in front of the water at Cais das Colunas.

Recommended circuit

Start exploring at the Augusta Triumphal Arch, then make your way to the Praça do Comercio centre square and check out the equestrian statue of King José I.

Then make your way toward the water and discover Cais das Colunas to dip your feet in the water (if the temperature allows it) otherwise sit and enjoy the sound of the waves.

It’s also an ideal spot to witness the sun setting, the sky changing colors and the clouds floating by.

A little more time

We recommend to grab a pint inside the Lisbon Beer Museum, it’s beautifully decorated inside. You have the option of ordering a pint at the bar or plan a tour of the Beer Museum (2nd level) which also comes with a pint of beer (5E for the pint and visit).

What to bring / wear ?

Walking around in Lisbon City can get demanding, so for a full day out exploring the city, we’ll recommend a pair of comfortable sneakers. We usually recommend sunscreen and a water bottle for hydration.

You can also bring snacks to keep your energy up.

Clothing

Lisbon can surprise you with it’s weather, we visited in mid-October and were pleasantly surprised with 25 degree sunny days. However, once the sun went down, the temperature dropped immediately.

You might want to bring flip flops or sandals if you plan to dip your feet in the water.

Check out our Praça do Comércio Vlog

Where to eat ?

This is a prime location for restaurants so it’ll be easy to find a place to eat. However we felt many of the Praça do Comercio’s restaurants’ Google ratings weren’t high enough to plan a visit. All but Terreiro do Paço and the Beer Museum had low ratings.

Alternatively, along Augusta street are rows of patios if you like to sit and watch the action outdoors. Otherwise there is so much selection on the neighbouring streets.

A few recommendations:

Grab a pint at the Beer Museum
Great vegan options at Jardim das Cerejas
Get your codfish cakes at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau (R. Augusta 106)
Traditional pork sandwiches at Bifanas do Afonso

Other local places to visit

You may want to consider adding some of these destinations to your list of discoveries before or after visiting the Praça do Comercio.

Additionally, we recommend that you save these to your list of places to visit in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive in Lisbon.

Santa Justa Lift
The Beer Museum
Augusta Street
São Jorge Castle
Santa Luzia miradouro (belvedere)

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand the Praça do Comercio, it’s surroundings and how to better compliment your day with other activities to tack on.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Help renting a car with Hertz

Find affordable lodging with Hotels.com

Plan attractions in advance with Get Your Guide

We spent 4 full days Discovering Lisbon in 2019. Please consult our list of top places to visit in Lisbon and let us know which you preferred ! Lisbon – Portugal: TOP Places to visit in Lisbon according to US. Portugal is a country that colonized Brazil a long time ago. Yet, still today we Brazilians feel…

Belém Lisbon - Things to do in one day plus Happy Hour at the LX Factory

In this Blog we will describe our Day Trip to Belém (a Lisbon District). Plus we'll also show our surprise pit-stop for a Happy Hour at the LX Factory ! Plus, check out our Professional Vlog of this Day Trip at the very end of this BLOG. Customize your Day Trip First…

Discovering Mur des je t'aime, Paris

Lovely place to discover !! Paris is well described as "The city of Love" yet often overshadowed by larger landmarks such as l'Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. After visiting all the mainstream and famous places in Paris, we were down to discovering various arrondissements. On our list was…

Countryside of São Paulo

São Paulo, the most populous city in Brazil and one of the largest populate city in the world, is not consider the hot tourist destination in Brazil, but Why not? Well, lot’s of people consider São Paulo for business purposes only, however what they don’t know is that São Paulo…