KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ancient city: Conímbriga is one of Portugal’s best-preserved Roman cities, dating back to the 2nd Century A.D.
- Mosaics: You can find the most beautiful and well-preserved original mosaics in the WORLD in the city.
- Highlights: The ruins have different highlights, such as the House of Fountains, House of Cantaber, impressive Roman baths, and a 3,4km aqueduct.
Conímbriga: A Roman City
Conímbriga is one of Portugal’s BEST PRESERVED ROMAN RUINS, 16 km from Coimbra.
Conímbriga was part of the Roman province of Lusitania, so it’s no surprise it was an important Roman settlement in Portugal.
You can still see a luxurious residence with a bathing complex, an original heating system, and gardens in the city, proving how much wealth there was. At its peak, there were more than 10,500 people living in the city.
The mosaics are some of the best preserved in the WORLD, with colorful designs of animals, hunting scenes, and mythological themes.
Don’t just take our word for it. The city was classified as a national monument in 1910.
Use our interactive widget below for some of the best places to stay near Conímbriga!
Conímbriga: A Preserved Roman Ruins Site
The city was built in layers; the oldest layers date back to the 9th Century B.C.
The Romans arrived in the 2nd Century A.D. and built a city that grew and prospered.
During the Roman occupation, the city became a center of great importance, with impressive architecture and a lively VIBE.
Conímbriga was located along the Roman ROAD that connected the ancient cities of Olisipo (LISBON) and Bracara Augusta (BRAGA), so it was the perfect spot for trade and military movements.
Book your tour below with the widget!
The city prospered until the 3rd century AD, when it was INVADED by Germanic tribes.
Despite fortifying the city with PROTECTIVE WALLS, it was eventually conquered and partially destroyed. The inhabitants left, and the city was forgotten.
The excavations done since the 20th century show a valuable and complex set of buildings, including thermal baths, an aqueduct that brings water from 3,400 meters, and the remains of a Christian basilica probably from the 6th century.
NOTE: Only 10% of the city has been excavated, so there’s still much to discover.
Conímbriga Opening Hours
- Open: From 10 am to 6 pm, last tickets sold at 5:15 pm.
- Closed: 1st January, Easter Sunday, 1st May, 24th July, 25th December
Staying connected to the internet is now possible with AIRALOs TRAVEL E SIM. Wherever you are in the world, download the app and choose Portugal. Then, you are ready to show the world your Instagrammable pictures!
Conímbriga Entrance Fee
- Admission Fees:
- Adults: €8
- Seniors (65+): €4
- Children 13-24: €4
- Children (under 12): Free
- Portuguese residents enter for free.
- You can buy tickets on the Conímbriga Museum website or use our widget below!
Roman Ruins Highlights
The House of Fountains
The House of the Fountains (Casa dos Repuxos) is a beautiful example of early Roman architecture.
The Roman mosaics depict hunting scenes with dogs, Bacchus (Dionysus) as well as the heroic cycles of Perseus, dogs, and MYTHOLOGICAL figures like Bacchus and Perseus.
The House of Fountains has 569 m2 of mosaics and paintings. The central courtyard, with a garden and fountains, is the icing on the cake.
DO YOU KNOW: the villa had drains that supplied water to 500 fountains?
Imagine the sound of water trickling from the fountains, the atmosphere in Roman times. It must have been amazing… In the museum you can see how the city looked in the past (see below).
The House of Cantabar
The House of Cantabar is from the Flavian period (69–98) and is a luxurious aristocratic residence with 40 (!) rooms. The well-preserved mosaic floors in the House of Cantaber are one of the highlights, along with the craftsmanship and historical value of the site.
This LUXURIOUS ROMAN VILLA was the home of a rich family, giving us a glimpse into their decadent lifestyle.
All the House of Cantabar rooms are around a central courtyard, typical of Roman domestic architecture. Each room had a specific use, from living quarters to social areas.
NOTE: Photography is allowed, but no tripods!
The Forum
Under Emperor Augustus, in the 2nd century AD, the city was at its peak of PROSPERITY.
Public baths and the forum were built, as seen in the Conimbriga Museum.
The Forum was the heart of the Roman city, and Conímbriga’s Forum had a large TEMPLE dedicated to the imperial cult of Augustus and his successors.
The Baths of the Aqueduct
The Baths of the Aqueduct are one of the most impressive and well preserved parts of the world.
These public baths were a fundamental part of Roman life, BATHING AND SOCIAL HUBS where people would gather to relax and chat.
As you walk through the baths, you’ll see the ROMAN ENGINEERING at its best. Stone heating ducts were used under the bath floors.
The complex has several rooms with different temperatures: frigidarium (COLD), tepidarium (WARM), and caldarium (HOT).
The highlight of the baths is the aqueduct system that supplied water. This engineering wonder brought fresh water from nearby sources (3,4km) to the baths.
Conímbriga Museum (Museu Monográfico de Conimbriga)
Conímbriga has a museum with objects found by archaeologists during the excavations.
This modern museum has many objects, like pottery, tools, and jewelry.
One of the museum’s highlights is the MOSAIC COLLECTION. While the mosaics in the ruins are impressive, the ones in the museum are even more impressive.
You’ll see mythological scenes, nature, and geometric patterns showing Roman mosaic skills.
FACTS: The site was acquired by the state in 1930 and the Museu Monográfico de Conímbriga was opened in 1962.
INSIDER TIP: The museum has a restaurant/café and a shop so make sure to visit it!
Conímbriga Facilities:
- Visitor Center: Information, maps and guides to help you get around the site. The ticket office, near the museum, is where you can buy resources and guidebooks to complement your visit to the Roman ruins.
- Toilets: Near the entrance and in the museum.
- Café: A small café at the entrance serves snacks and drinks.
- Shop: Books, souvenirs and Roman replicas.
How to get to Conimbriga Ruins
Conimbriga is very close to Coimbra.
By Car: Driving is the easiest way. The site is 16 km (10 miles) from Coimbra. Take the IC3 road south from Coimbra and follow the signs to Condeixa-a-Nova, then Conimbriga. There’s plenty of parking near the entrance to the ruins so you don’t have to worry about that!
By Public Transport: If you prefer public transport, you can take the bus from Coimbra. The SMTUC bus service has routes that stop in Condeixa-a-Nova. The ruins are 1-2 km (about a mile) from Condeixa-a-Nova, so you can walk or take a taxi.
By Guided Tour: For a more complete experience, you can join a guided tour from Coimbra or Lisbon. These tours include transportation, lunch, and a guide. Use the widget below to find the best tours!
Where to Stay?
You can find the best accommodations in the area with the widget below!
Conclusion: A Roman Ruins Journey
Conímbriga is a must-see for anyone interested in Roman history and architecture.
The Roman ruins give us an insight into daily life during the Roman period with their mosaics, city walls, and public buildings.
Let us know about your trip in the comments!
