Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Alicante?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Alicante or Coimbra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Coimbra can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alicante or Coimbra?
Alicante
Alicante is a gorgeous coastal city in the Costa Blanca region, on the east coast of Spain. The region is famous for its white sandy beaches, the party-haven of Benidorm and the stunning palm tree-lined boulevard in the city of Alicante. I have been visiting Alicante for close to 20 years, so, it has become almost a second home to me. Here are my top tips to have the best vacation in Alicante.
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlicante €127Coimbra €103
The average daily cost (per person) in Alicante is €127, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €103. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alicante and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlicante €42Coimbra €44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlicante €84Coimbra €88
Compare Hotels in Alicante and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Alicante or Coimbra? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alicante Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alicante -Coimbra €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alicante
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alicante:
- Transfer from Alicante city to Alicante airport in private Minivan max. 6 passengers: $73
- Transfer from Alicante airport to Albir in private Sedan car max. 3 passengers: $85
- Transfer Airport / Renfe Alicante - Alcoy: $92
- Roundtrip Transfer Airport-Hotel in Alicante cars of up to 8 passengers: $55
- Private Transfer: Alicante Airport (ALC) to Alicante: $47
- Private Transfer from Elche to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $82
- Private Transfer from El Plantio Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from Castell de Castells to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $183
- Private Transfer from Camping Marjal Costa Blanca to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airpor: $73
- Private Transfer from Campello to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from Campello Pueblo Acantilado to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Campello / Coveta Fuma to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Is it cheaper to fly into Alicante or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Alicante change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayAlicante €72Coimbra €48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alicante
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alicante.
- Secret Flavors Food Tour: $31
- Paella and Sangria Cooking Workshop: $60
- Paella and Sangría Cooking Workshop: $64
- Central Market Guided Food Tour with Tapas Bars: $70
- Alicante Food Tour: $71
- Fuse Spanish With Italian For Dinner In Mutxamel: $89
- Alicante PRIVATE Food Tour With Locals: 10 Food & Drink Tastings Included: $136
- Cooking Class with Private Chef and Local Wine: $176
- Alicante cooking class with a private chef: $180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alicante €53Coimbra €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Alicante
Here are a few typical costs in Alicante for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Food and Tapas Tour (for 2)€54
-
Catamaran Cruise (for 2)€67
-
Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€120
-
Walking Tour (for 2)€60
Tours and Activities in Alicante
Here are a few actual costs in Alicante for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alcoy Walking Tour on the Modernist Route: $202
- Alicante - Old Town Private Walking Tour: $385
- Alicante : E-Bike Coast Tour, Román Fishpond and Snorkeling: $37
- Alicante : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
- Alicante Charming Villages Tour: Villajoyosa and Altea: $75
- Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour : $33
- Alicante Discovery Tour from Benidorm: $28
- Alicante Evening Tapas tour: $82
- Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide : $32
- Alicante Highlights Bike Tour(min 2p) MEDIUM CYCLE LEVEL REQUIRED: $35
- Alicante Highlights Private Tour with Castle : $76
- Alicante Historic Small Group Tour with Tapas Tasting: $32
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlicante -Coimbra €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Alicante
Also in Alicante, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Bárbara Castle Wine Tasting with Cold Cuts: $28
- Vineyards of Wine Tasting Tour: $73
- Alicante Wine Tour with Wine Tasting : $74
- Private Tour of Vinalopó Castles and Wine Tasting: $82
- Food Walking Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $144
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas for Foodies: $147
- Total Alicante walking tour, tapas and wine tasting: $267
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Coimbra, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Alicante would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alicante than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alicante or Coimbra?
Alicante has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Coimbra, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Alicante or Coimbra?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Alicante or Coimbra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Coimbra. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Coimbra averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.
Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Coimbra. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlicante 25°C (77°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Coimbra in the Autumn?
Both Coimbra and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Alicante because of the shopping scene.
In October, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlicante 20°C (68°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Coimbra in the Winter?
Both Coimbra and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alicante this time of year.
Alicante is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlicante 11°C (52°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Coimbra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Coimbra. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches.
In the spring, Alicante is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Coimbra averages at about 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlicante 16°C (60°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Alicante
| Alicante | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.