A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. A Coruna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or A Coruna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Coimbra or A Coruna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or A Coruna?

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.

A Coruna

A Coruna is a busy port city located on a promontory of Spain's Galicia region. It is the capital city of a province of the same name, exhibiting a mix of the old and new from an ancient Roman lighthouse to modern apartments known for their glass balconies. Some of the highlights include the variety of architecture both age-old and modern, the old town, several museums, the harbor, and beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, A Coruna or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in A Coruna is €89. 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 Coimbra and A Coruna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    A Coruna 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    A Coruna 102
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and A Coruna

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or A Coruna? 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.

Hotels in Coimbra


Hotels in A Coruna


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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and A Coruna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    A Coruna 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147

Hired Cars and Shuttles in A Coruna

Also for A Coruna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Coruna Airport to Ferrol: $131
  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago city hotels: $72
  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago Airport (SCQ): $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or A Coruna?

Prices for flights to both A Coruna and Coimbra 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 day
    Coimbra 48
    A Coruna 28

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in A Coruna

For A Coruna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Great Dinner in A Coruña - Escape urban room: $64
  • Food Market visit and Cooking Workshop in A Coruña: $104
  • 3 Hour Tapas Tasting and Cooking Class in A Coruna: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    A Coruna 9.72

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $199
  • A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $120
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $70
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $131
  • Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $76
  • Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $134
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $254
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $44
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99

Typical Entertainment Prices in A Coruna

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for A Coruna's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Tower of Hercules
    3.00

Tours and Activities in A Coruna

For A Coruna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Private Old Town Walking Tour in La Coruña: $152
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Lugo: $82
  • A Coruña Private Walking Tour : $82
  • A Coruña Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • A Coruña boat tour from the sea: $38
  • E-bike Tour La Coruña: $64
  • Essential Walking Tour through the Emblematic Places of Coruña: $32
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña for Cruisers Only: $75
  • Group walking tour in Lugo: $1.09
  • Guided Tour Lugo: $27
  • Private City Tour of A Coruña - Shore Excursion : $237
  • Private Walking Tour around Coruña with Beer or Wine: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    A Coruna 13

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 Coimbra and A Coruna, we can see that Coimbra is more expensive. And not only is A Coruna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to A Coruna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in A Coruna 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 Coimbra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coimbra than you might in A Coruna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is A Coruna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or A Coruna?

A Coruna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and A Coruna, 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 Coimbra or A Coruna?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Coimbra or A Coruna in the Summer?

Both A Coruna and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Coimbra is a little warmer than A Coruna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and A Coruna averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in A Coruna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than A Coruna during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while A Coruna receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than A Coruna. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    A Coruna 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or A Coruna in the Autumn?

Both A Coruna and Coimbra during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than A Coruna. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and A Coruna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than A Coruna. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while A Coruna receives 155 hours of full sun.

A Coruna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as A Coruna. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    A Coruna 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or A Coruna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and A Coruna.

Coimbra is around the same temperature as A Coruna in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and A Coruna fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than A Coruna during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while A Coruna receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

A Coruna receives a lot of rain in the winter. Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as A Coruna. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    A Coruna 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or A Coruna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as A Coruna.

In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than A Coruna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and A Coruna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than A Coruna. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while A Coruna receives 167 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than A Coruna. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    A Coruna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for A Coruna and Coimbra

Coimbra A Coruna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)