Things to Do at Biblioteca Joanina

The Biblioteca Joanina is genuinely one of those places that makes you stop and stare, even if you're not particularly into books. Built in the early 18th century as part of the University of Coimbra, this baroque library is the kind of room that feels almost theatrical - all gilded wood, intricate ceiling frescoes, and towering shelves packed with ancient volumes. It's named after King João V, who commissioned it, and honestly, the guy had good taste. What makes this place particularly fascinating is that it's still a working library, not just a museum piece. The three interconnected rooms house around 250,000 volumes, some dating back to the 16th century. You might find it amusing that they actually keep a colony of bats here - not by accident, but on purpose. The bats help control insects that could damage the precious books, though you're unlikely to spot them during daytime visits.

The library is part of the University of Coimbra campus, perched up on the hill in the historic center. If you're staying in the lower town, it's about a 15-20 minute walk uphill - not terrible, but you'll definitely feel it. There are several staircases and winding streets that lead up, or you can take the small tourist train that runs from the lower city. Once you're on campus, the library is clearly signposted and hard to miss.