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

Should you visit Coimbra or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Chartres? 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 Chartres?

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.

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Chartres, we can see that Chartres 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 Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Chartres?

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

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 Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Chartres. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In July, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Chartres. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Coimbra or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Chartres. Additionally, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Coimbra or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Chartres. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Coimbra or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Coimbra