Just outside of Coimbra, sits one of the most well-preserved Roman archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula, the Conímbriga Ruins. From intricately designed mosaic floors to remnants of residential quarters and public spaces, Conímbriga paints a vivid picture of daily life in a Roman city during the 1st and 2nd centuries.
We were rather captivated and surprised by the extent of the ruins. We have been to Pompeii, and in comparison, this is much smaller but much easier to navigate. If you want an in-depth view of the ruins, you can get a tour through Viator. Otherwise, we bought a guide book for €4 instead and got a glimpse of what it was like there.
What we liked most about the place is how easy it was to picture the houses and buildings that were once there. Although the ruins are only partially excavated (about 17%), compared to Pompeii, you get a better idea of what the city was like. The site is situated in a serene and picturesque landscape that allowed us to explore the ruins at our own pace.
Tips
The ruins are not covered so you are in the sun. Bring a hat, water and sunglasses. Also, the summer months are probably not the best time to go as temperatures can reach into the 40’s celsius (100’s F). I would suggest late fall or early spring. We went in December and it was perfect.
What you get to see in Conímbriga
Mosaics
The first thing you notice as you walk around the Conímbriga Ruins are the mosaics. They cover the floors in almost every house and are incredible. We were so surprised that they are all out in the elements and easily touchable (no, we didn’t try to touch them).
These stunning mosaic floors depict intricate patterns, mythological scenes, and daily life during the Roman period. The quality and preservation of these mosaics offer a unique opportunity to appreciate the artistic achievements of the time.
Architectural Marvels of Conímbriga
The ruins showcase impressive Roman architecture, including remnants of residential buildings, public baths and the forum. The layout of the city provides insights into the urban planning and engineering prowess of the Romans.
This site was one of the first where we could see how the baths were set up and from cold water to hot water. The houses were so well preserved, that you could see the entire layout of the house including the gardens.
The most impressive ruin was the House of Fountains. This is the only covered part of the ruins and you can clearly see the colours and designs in the mosaic floors. The fountains are also incredible. They are fully functional and you can spend €1 to watch for about a minute.
Museum Experience
There is a Conímbriga Museum in the building adjacent to the ruins. It exhibits artefacts and sculptures that have been gathered in the excavations and provides context to daily lives of the ancient Romans.
Cafe!
Like most places in Portugal, there is a cafe attached, and since you are out in the countryside, this is very convenient. After walking around for a couple of hours, we stopped in and had a café and topped off our water. The cafe has a dining area and offers snacks and lunches during certain hours.
Reflections
Overall, we are very glad we experienced the Conímbriga Ruins. We found it to be more enjoyable than other large ruins. We don’t think a guide is completely necessary but could provide more information about the ruins and museum than you can get on your own.
Want to hear more? Check out our Podcast on the 3 Day Trips to Nazaré, Conímbriga, and The Tile Museum. Also, follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.