Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas — Attraction in Coimbra

Visiting the Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas during our anniversary trip felt like stepping into the very heart of a legend. These gardens, a lush and poetic landscape in Coimbra, are more than a mere botanical haven—they are steeped in a love story that transcends time.

When we decided to follow the Rota de Inês e Pedro—the path of Portugal’s most famous tragic lovers—Patrícia and I were drawn to this place where romance, nature, and history are intertwined. The garden hides secrets within its leafy corners, and it’s here that the story of Prince Pedro and his beloved Inês de Castro unfolds.

But beyond the tale that lives in every stone and stream, it’s the Fonte das Lágrimas (Fountain of Tears) that captured us most. According to legend, the very water that flows here is born from the tears of Inês, shed when she was killed by assassins at the king’s command. The story tells that nature itself wept alongside her. To stand by this fountain, with its waters trickling gently, is to feel the weight of centuries of love and loss.

There are curiosities hidden in these gardens that you won’t find anywhere else. For instance, few know that the Cano dos Amores, an ancient canal still visible today, was commissioned by a queen in the 14th century to bring water to the convent nearby. The trees themselves are like sentinels of time: towering sequoias and the exotic Ficus macrophylla stand as if guarding the secrets of the past .

For us, the most profound moment was reflecting by the Fonte dos Amores, where Pedro and Inês once met in secret. It’s impossible not to be moved by the history here, where love and politics collided, leading to Inês’s tragic death and Pedro’s eternal vow of vengeance and devotion. Their story has been immortalized not just in literature, but in the very air that fills these gardens.

While the entry fee is modest, it’s a small price to pay for the sense of stepping into a legend. And though we left the Quinta, a part of our hearts remains within those walls, entwined with Pedro and Inês’s eternal story.

Tip: Plan your visit in the late afternoon, when the light dapples through the trees, making it even easier to believe that the ghost of Inês still walks among the shadows, searching for...

Quinta das Lágrimas is a romantic estate located in Coimbra. It is known for its beautiful gardens and its tragic history.

The estate was originally a hunting ground for the Portuguese royal family. In the 14th century, it became the setting for the forbidden love affair between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro. The king, Pedro's father, disapproved of the relationship and had Inês murdered. According to legend, Inês's tears turned to blood and stained the ground where she was killed. This is why the estate is called Quinta das Lágrimas, which means "Estate of Tears" in Portuguese.

The palace was built on the site later. In 1879, a fire occurred and the palace was rebuilt. Today it is a hotel and houses a museum that displays artifacts related to the tragic love story of Pedro and Inês. Its gardens, with a rich variety of plants and reliefs, remain beautiful and invite you to pleasant moments. The fountain in the gardens is called Fonte das Lágrimas, which is said to be made from the tears of Inês de Castro.

The forbidden love affair between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro is one of the most famous love stories in Portuguese history.

Are you interested in knowing more about this story surrounding Quinta das Lágrimas or about Coimbra? Take a look at the free audio guide at this link:

https://izi.travel/en/c125-coimbra/en

I hope you enjoy your...

During my stay in Coimbra, I visited Quinta das Lágrimas, and it turned out to be one of the most enchanting and emotionally rich experiences of the trip. This isn’t just a beautiful garden or a historic estate—it’s a place where legend, nature, and emotion are deeply intertwined.

From the moment I entered the grounds, I felt a sense of calm and romance. The estate is famously tied to the tragic love story of Pedro and Inês de Castro, and that legend lingers in the air as you explore. The gardens are lush, peaceful, and meticulously maintained. Walking among the ancient trees, fountains, and hidden corners felt like stepping into a living poem.

The Fonte das Lágrimas (Fountain of Tears) was especially moving. Knowing the story behind it—that it’s where Inês supposedly cried before her death—adds a haunting, poetic quality to the site. Whether or not you believe every detail of the legend, you can’t help but feel the emotional weight of the place. It’s quiet and shaded, and I found myself just standing there in silence...