upa! Climbing Center, Climbing in Downtown Coimbra

From Berlin to Coimbra: two friends, a passion and a new place to climb in Coimbra.
Miguel Fernandes, originally from Porto, lived in Berlin for seven years, where he discovered his passion for climbing. He was so dedicated that he ended up becoming a bouldering coach. It was on this journey that he met Julien Schmit, a Paris native who trained at the gym where Miguel worked. The two started climbing together and soon the idea of opening their own gym was born. At first, Berlin seemed like the obvious choice, but they soon realized that the market was saturated. So, and because of Miguel’s roots, they turned their attention to Portugal. After analyzing the existing offer in the country, they realized that the Centro region lacked a space dedicated to this sport, and Coimbra turned out to be the perfect choice. Looking for the ideal location, they found an old warehouse in downtown Coimbra that had been closed for three decades, in an area that was once the city’s industrial center. As they explored the space, they discovered old furniture in good condition and decided to restore it, giving it a new lease of life.
On February 1st 2025, upa! Climbing Center opened its doors to the public at Rua dos Oleiros, no. 76, in a privileged space next to the Mondego River. This indoor climbing gym, dedicated to bouldering, offers a welcoming space to relax and socialize. It’s open to people of all ages and levels, from beginners to professionals and even the simply curious.
With a large, carefully decorated space and a café that brings a touch of Berlin to Coimbra, the founders’ aim is to create a community that is “inclusive and aligned with the values of mutual help, equal opportunities, resilience and a shared love of climbing”.
At upa! Climbing Center the challenge is individual, but you can always count on the support of the coaches and the community.