Which place is cheaper, Braga or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Coimbra or Braga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Braga? 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 Braga?
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.
Braga
Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Braga €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Braga is €112. 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 Braga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Braga €54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Braga €108
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Braga
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Braga? 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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Braga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Braga €20
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: $156
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $130
- Private Car Transfer from Braga to Lisbon with 2 hours for sightseeing: $278
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $101
- Airport Transfer Porto> Viana do Castelo: $94
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Braga?
Prices for flights to both Braga 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 dayCoimbra €48Braga €40
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 Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Braga €16
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.20
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.20
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.43
- 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: $7.59
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.68
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
- Convent of Christ Tour "Portugal in the Map" - Visit Tomar with a local guide!: $30
Tours and Activities in Braga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:
- KAYAK TOUR I Going down the Lima River in Kayak | AV: $65
- 2h Buggy Tour | Arcos de Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $130
- 4X4 Tour – Minho Litoral - Beaches and Mountains between Viana do Castelo and Caminha: $81
- 4X4 Tour – Mountain - Viana do Castelo - Serra Sta. Lucia, Serra D'Arga: $81
- 4X4 Tour - Discovering Serra d´ Arga: $174
- Alto Douro Walk & WineTour: $196
- TOUR HD BRAGA MERCEDES V EXT LONG: $224
- Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $109
- Braga & Guimarães: Premium Day Tour: $320
- Braga Private Walking Tour: $253
- Braga Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $215
- Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $7.86
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Braga €21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $141
- Douro Valley - Régua-Pinhão - with wine tasting: $147
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $287
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $533
When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Braga, we can see that Braga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Braga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Braga?
Braga has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Braga, 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 Braga?
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 Coimbra or Braga in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Braga.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Braga in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Braga fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Braga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Braga. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 308 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Braga. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Braga receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Braga 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Braga in the Autumn?
Both Braga and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Braga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Braga averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Braga during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Braga. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Braga receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Braga 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Braga in the Winter?
Both Braga and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit.
In January, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Braga. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Braga fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Braga. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 124 hours of full sun.
Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets less rain in January than Braga. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Braga receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Braga 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Braga in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Braga.
Coimbra is around the same temperature as Braga in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Braga fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Braga this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Braga during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
Braga receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Braga. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Braga receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Braga 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Braga and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Braga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.