Coimbra Portagem Hostel

I liked the location and the price, and the place was relatively clean. Still, I wouldn’t book it again. I was there for one night, and as a solo woman traveler I look for a hostel that feels social, clean, and safe. This one didn’t really meet those expectations. The room doors don’t lock automatically, and there’s no larger luggage storage. My bag wouldn’t fit in the lockers outside the dorm, and a roommate could easily leave the door unlocked. That felt very concerning. There was also little visible security or staff, and check-out was entirely online. I arrived in Coimbra around 1:30/2pm, before the 3pm check-in, hoping to leave my bag. I rang the bell several times, but nobody answered, so I had to carry my pack around for an hour. The lighting throughout the hostel was poor, and the common area was just a few chairs and a couch in the hallways. I had a great time in Coimbra, just wouldn’t stay here again.

The room was clean, air-conditioned, and had a nice view. The shared bathroom worked well too, with plenty of toilet and shower stalls, so we never had to wait. The showers were quite high-tech, with sprays. The former museum’s wall tiles were lovely, and we could head up to the rooftop for sunset views. The connected building had a great restaurant with good food, an outdoor patio, and a river view. Check-in was at 4:00, which caused trouble because nobody heard the bell when we rang.

There’s no kitchen, just a fridge and vending machine. The entrance has plenty of lounge chairs and tables, though, handy for working or meeting other travelers. The receptionist isn’t there around the clock, but is reachable on WhatsApp and very reliable. The location is great, the bed was good, and the bathroom was clean.

The hostel is clean and conveniently close to the train station and Coimbra’s Main Street. The host is nice and reachable by phone. But check-in is self-service, so there’s no one to meet when you arrive. There’s no real kitchen, only a microwave and fridge, with no cutlery, sink, or water there. The common areas felt cold and uninviting. Motion-controlled lights kept switching off when you stood still, leaving the hostel very dark. My room didn’t seem large enough for the six people it was meant to hold. And the “terasse” was just two chairs boxed in by walls and facing a metal door. With so little kitchen space or welcoming communal area, it doesn’t feel very social. Don’t expect to meet many people.