A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Coimbra vs. Azores for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or Azores?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Azores? 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 Azores?

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.

Azores

The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. Although the islands were created through volcanic activity, there is far less activity now, making the Azores the perfect beach escape. Most people speak Portuguese, or a dialect of it, with English spoken primarily by those in the tourism industry.

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 Walking Tours in Portugal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Azores 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 Azores is €134. 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 Azores in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Azores 67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Azores 134
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Azores

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Azores? 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 Azores


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Azores 30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $156
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Azores?

Prices for flights to both Azores 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
    Azores 45

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.
    Coimbra 18
    Azores 22

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 tour from Leiria, Portugal to Peniche, Portugal: $173
  • A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $119
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $69
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $130
  • Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $76
  • Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $134
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $253
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $43
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.43
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Azores 9.64

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
  • Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $174
  • Full-Day Private Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour from Coimbra: $178


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Azores, we can see that Azores 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 Azores would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Azores 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 Coimbra Expensive? and Is Azores Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Coimbra or Azores?

Azores has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Azores, 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.