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Ahh, Portugal!
Your sun-drenched southern shores, with golden sandy beaches stretching for miles, the vintage trams rattling through the hilly hills of your capital, pastel-colored neighborhoodsand the vast wine country dotted with fairytale villages in the north.
It’s no wonder digital nomads can’t get enough, but as millions of expats flock to theIn the same three destinations, resulting in a staggering increase in the cost of living for locals, there are lesser-known places that are just as incredible, yet remain undiscovered.
If you’ve considered Lisbon for its culture, Porto for its affordable food and the Algarve for its great weather, you’ll love it. Love Coimbra:
Why do some nomads trade Lisbon for Coimbra?
Coimbra, located in central Portugal, is one City on the river with mild winter temperatures––it’s currently a pleasant 62.6°F degrees, with nighttime lows of 51.8°F––and a high concentration of historical sites dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Even if you’ve never been to England, we’re sure you’ve heard of Oxford or Cambridge, ancient university cities that have produced some of the greatest innovators known to man.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Portuguese equivalent of a centuries-old center of learning is, Coimbra has you covered, as it’s home to the 13th-century University of Coimbra, the oldest in Portugal and one of the most prestigious in Europe.
Coimbra gets your creative juices flowing
We’re not sure about you, but we Doing feel particularly productive in an intellectual, diverse environment, and Coimbra’s ever-growing student population, from all over the world, keeps the city young, fresh, progressive and vibrant.
The historic center is one of the best areas to connect with localsas it’s full of quirky bars like What’s Up Doc, O Reitor (Portuguese for ‘Dean’) and Pinga Amor, a happy hour hotspot for students looking to relax.
This is a city with more than 106,000 inhabitants, a significant percentage of whom are foreigners. So needless to say, you won’t have a problem speaking English or making friends if you’re the sociable kind.
Postcard-ready corners almost everywhere
Along the fast-flowing Mondego River, the longest river lying entirely within the national territory of Portugal, the old town is a collection of postcard-like corners, with its narrow streets covered with calçada portuguesa (the unique Portuguese paving patterns), ornate churches and medieval palaces.
The main attraction is of course the University of Coimbra, as it houses the university lavishly decorated Joanina Librarybut don’t miss the 12th-century Romanesque Sé Velha (Coimbra Cathedral) or the historically important Church of the Holy Cross.
It’s where Portugal’s first two kings are buried, and the Baroque organ is certainly one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to stop by the nearby Safra Restaurant and try their Portuguese-style cod.
You’ll thank us later.
Coimbra is very nomad friendly!
University cities tend to be the best for digital nomad infrastructure as they have an abundance of public libraries, cafes and coworking hubs that cater to students and laptop owners in general, and Coimbra is no exception:
For the best coffee shop in town, with friendly waiters and a welcoming community of expatsCheck out Kava, or if you don’t mind the noise of the bustling streets, Quebra Bar offers a lively atmosphere, great beer and even live performances in the evenings.
There are free WiFi hotspots dotted around Coimbra, especially near the university, but also at the Municipal Market, our favorite spot for street food (and where you can get the city’s tastiest custard tarts), and the green, peaceful Botanical Garden.
An affordable alternative to the capital
The average internet speed in Coimbra averages 23 Mbps, and even if you run out of data, all the riverside cafes are sure to have free WiFi available for seated customers. prices are definitely on the cheaper side.
Order one pastel de chaves (a traditional veal-filled, crescent-shaped pastry) and some orange juice from a bakery will cost you about $4, if not less, and a main course at a cheap restaurant frequented by locals will cost average $10.43.
Rent is also relatively affordable in Coimbra, especially outside the city center, where a one-bedroom apartment can be as cheap as $565 per month, if you officially live in Portugal, while private rooms can be for short to medium-term visitors. start from $633 on Airbnb.
A hotspot for digital nomads in the making
Coimbra is currently the 15th highest charting destination for digital nomads on Nomadsthe premier source for tracking digital nomad trends worldwide, and nomads seem to love it because of the:
- Costs: in total, monthly expenses average $2,231
- Pleasure: As stated above, there are plenty of bohemian bars to choose from
- Weather: it is usually sunny regardless of the season, and winters are never too cold
- Safety: Coimbra has lower rates of pickpocketing and violent crime than other European cities
- Walkability: much of the historic center can be seen on foot, and the city is generally very pedestrian-friendly
According to their insights, the disadvantages may include fewer digital nomads in the city (if feeling part of a community is important to you), many smokers and high alcohol consumption.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
