The Roman ruins of Conímbriga and their mosaics

What it is and why it matters

Conímbriga was one of the most important Roman cities in Lusitania. It lies about 16 km south of Coimbra, 2 km from Condeixa-a-Nova. The site had been inhabited since the Bronze Age; under Augustus, at the end of the 1st century BC, it became a city, and under Vespasian it gained the rank of municipium. The Suebi sacked it in 465 and came back in 467 and 468; most of its inhabitants then moved to what is now Coimbra, which took its name. It has been a National Monument since 1910, and the museum opened in 1962; since 2017 it has been the Museu Nacional de Conímbriga. Only part of the ancient city has been excavated and opened to the public.

What you see

• The House of the Fountains (Casa dos Repuxos): the jewel of the visit. A large house with mosaic floors, traces of wall painting and a central garden with a pool full of fountains. It is covered to protect the mosaics and is visited along walkways.
• Mosaics in situ in other houses, with figurative and geometric motifs.
• The late Roman wall, which cuts the city in two: it was built late, when the city strengthened its defences, and runs over houses and other buildings.
• The House of Cantaber, one of the largest residences on the site.
• The forum and baths, from the time of Augustus, supplied by the aqueduct that brought water from Alcabideque.
• The museum, beside the entrance, with what came out of the excavations: everyday objects and pieces from the forum, the houses, trade, religion and the Suebi-Visigothic period.

Opening hours, closures and price

Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00; the ticket office closes at 17:15. It is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 24 July and 24 and 25 December.

General admission costs €10 and includes the ruins and the museum. You buy it at the ticket office or through the online sales of Museus e Monumentos de Portugal. For discounts and free entry, check its website.

Storms in the winter of 2026 forced some areas to close at times: if you go in the rainy season, call or write to the museum first.

How long to allow

Allow two hours: a good hour for the site and half an hour for the museum. If you are interested in mosaics, a little longer.

Getting there and parking

By car, leave Coimbra heading south on the A1 or the IC2 towards Condeixa-a-Nova and follow the signs to Conímbriga; it takes about 20 minutes. There is parking beside the museum entrance. Without a car, the option is the bus from Coimbra to Condeixa-a-Nova, about 2 km from the ruins; check times beforehand, because services are limited.

Facilities and accessibility

By the entrance there is a shop, a restaurant and a library. On the ruins the ground is uneven, with stones and changes of level: with a wheelchair or pushchair, ask the museum beforehand which areas are passable.

With children

From about 7 or 8 years old they enjoy it: houses where you can see the layout of each room, the fountain pool and mosaics with animals. Almost the whole visit is outdoors with little shade: in summer, go first thing and take water and a hat.