The City
Characterized by being an industrial city, UBI buildings were born from deactivated factories, always maintaining the characterization of the manufacturing world and the history of the city. Located on the slopes of the largest mountain range in Portugal, Serra da Estrela, Covilhã offers visitors the beautiful landscape of its house, framed in a majestic mountain amphitheater.
Traditionally associated with wool, Covilhã grew in permanent dialogue with the mountain range, shaped by the buildings linked to industry, many of which were recovered by the University of Beira Interior and reconverted into teaching and research spaces.
Respect for the past has marked the philosophy of the institution, which contributes significantly to the rehabilitation of the heritage of the city and the region, through structures such as the Museum of Woolen, installed in the Pombaline Real Fábrica dos Panos and Real Fábrica Veiga
The city has in its entrance streets a distinctive peculiarity, which gives it a singular character. The challenging staircases connecting the various levels of the city are now accompanied by a modern system of bridges, elevators and funiculars, resulting from the adoption of an innovative development model to facilitate pedestrian circulation. The historic center of the city is now populated with paintings and sculptures of urban art performed by some well-known names, who have already created a script of their own, parallel to that of the city's history.
Housing
Residences
University of Beira Interior has seven residences for students and teachers. In the section accommodation of SASUBI, there are detailed information on each space/ building as regulations, how to apply and prices.
Private Accommodation
There are several real estate agencies with a wide range of all sorts of apartments in the city, such as:
IMOBICLARA
SMARTPLACE
IMOBRETANHA
HABITAR
SGHIMOBILIARIA
REMAX
ERA
SINEIRO RESIDENCE
CASAS COVILHÃ
If you are a student, it will be provided an ESN mentor to help you with this questions.
Temporary Acomodation
Covilhã has many Hotels and Hostels very close from the University for your first days in Covilhã. You can find more in Booking, and HostelWorld.
Health
The region has several public hospitals, such as the Cova da Beira Hospital Center, located next to the Faculty of Health Sciences. Covilhã has private Clinics too. The UBI offers its students free medical and nursing services.
The students from European Union will need the European Health Card or health insurance. If you are not a student from EU you will need a Health Insurance.
Living Cost
Because Covilhã is a city located in the inner part of the country, the cost of living is significantly lower than that of the great cities of the coast, which is reflected in the prices of food and housing, for example.
Security is another of the factors that distinguish the city: Covilhã is a small/medium-sized city that lives around the University, creating an atmosphere of closeness very safe and cozy.
Transportation
The city has public transportation, several car rentals, taxis, one train station and one bus station. There are several connections daily by bus and train.
Information and Timetables
Covilhã has Flixbus too, which connects the city with foreign cities.
Sports
University Sports
The competition modalities are addressed to all students and aim to participate in the National University Championships.
You can find more about the completion activities here
Other Activities in UBI
The leisure activities are directed to the entire UBI community and aim to provide regular practice of physical and sporting activities.
You can find more about the sporting activities here
Sports in Covilhã
Covilhã has a variety of activities and sports, which promotes the good practices of health, such as gyms, running tracks and ski tracks.
Useful Contacts
Emergency Calls 112
Health Line 24 - 808 24 24 24
Volunteer Firefighters (+351) 275310310
Police (+351) 275 320 920
GNR (+351) 275 320 660
Taxis (+351) 275 320 660