Parque Verde do Mondego (Mondego Green Park), Coimbra

Mondego Green Park is a vibrant urban park in Coimbra designed by Camilo Cortesao. This expansive green space, stretching along the Mondego River, represents a major environmental revitalization effort and a shift toward a more modern and contemporary way of life in the city.

The park is centered around the Mondego River, offering a nearly three-kilometer-long landscaped riverfront. This transformation not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also provides improved accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. A major highlight is the Pedro and Ines Bridge, a striking pedestrian bridge that connects the lower and upper parts of Coimbra while offering panoramic views over Alta da Cidade.

The park’s right bank spans 400,000 square meters with 4 kilometers of pedestrian and cycle paths for leisure and exercise. The left bank focuses on sports and family activities, featuring a volleyball sandbox, skatepark, picnic area, play zones, and four pavilions, including those for canoeing, rowing, and sailing clubs, creating a lively weekend atmosphere.

Mondego Green Park honors Coimbra’s cultural and scientific heritage. It hosts the Exploratory - Coimbra Live Science Center and is part of the Polis Program, which transformed the historic Convent of São Francisco into a Congress Center, blending past and future.

A beloved landmark in the park is the Green Bear, also known as the Grass Bear, a massive sculpture initially covered in natural grass. Originally part of an exhibition organized by the Science and Technique Museum of Coimbra, the sculpture was later donated to the municipality.

Mondego Green Park enriches Coimbra’s urban landscape with nature, sports, culture, and history. From riverside walks to cycling, picnics, and exhibits, it offers something for everyone, highlighting Coimbra’s historic and dynamic spirit.