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

Should you visit Coimbra or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Dubrovnik? 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 Dubrovnik?

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.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

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 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €138, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is €158. 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 Dubrovnik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Dubrovnik 65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Dubrovnik 130
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Dubrovnik

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Dubrovnik? 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 Dubrovnik


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 Dubrovnik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Dubrovnik 22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

  • Private transfer from/to Fátima - Porto, Braga or Guimarães: $207
  • Transfer from Lisboa to Coimbra with visit to Fátima Sanctuary, half day: $196
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $167
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $156
  • Transfer Fátima To Lisboa: $139

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    1.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

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

  • Zagreb to VIP Transfer with Your Choice of Tours: $846
  • Transfers up to 3 persons to or from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $61
  • Transfers from Dubrovnik: $70
  • Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split: $232
  • Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $70
  • Transfer from Dubrovnik airport or Dubrovnik to Sun Gardens, Trsteno or Brsečine: $115
  • Split: TO Dubrovnik Private Transfer with Stop in Ston: $467
  • Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $26
  • Private van Transfer Service in Dubrovnik: $58
  • Private transfers up to 7 persons to or from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $70
  • Private transfer to Mostar from Dubrovnik: $127
  • Private transfer from Tivat to Dubrovnik city: $303

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Dubrovnik?

Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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 83
    Dubrovnik 75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

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

  • Erotic Cabaret Show and Dinner: $64
  • Bairrada Food Tour: $115

Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

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

  • Sunset Dubrovnik & Dinner At St Jacob Beach: $99
  • Dubrovnik Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $115
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m Above Ground: $136
  • Old Town Dubrovnik Food Tour of 8 Authentic Croatian Tastings: $138
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $157
  • Dubrovnik Sunset Cruise with dinner on board: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Dubrovnik 15

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

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

  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $99
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $87
  • Best of Coimbra Private Walking Tour with University Late Visit: $81
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $29
  • Buggy Tour in Serra da Lousa 2Horas _ Buggy 2 places: $145
  • Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra: $104
  • Coimbra - Condeixa: 120-minute Off-road Buggy Adventure: $303
  • Coimbra - Condeixa: 240-minute Off-Road Buggy Adventure: $512
  • Coimbra - Condeixa: 60-minute Off-road Buggy Adventure: $175
  • Coimbra : Guide to tour, with local guide/certificate, and an entry: $50
  • Coimbra Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h25 and 25 Audio Comments: $6.84
  • Coimbra Best Of: Private walking tour with tickets: $184

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    13
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    53
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    45

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.

  • 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $82
  • 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Dubrovnik: $111
  • 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour: $160
  • 2 hrs Guided Tour to CAVTAT a Small Place for Great Art: $58
  • 2-Hour Dubrovnik Fun and Exciting Jet Ski Safari Adventure Tour: $162
  • 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $128
  • 90 Minutes Cabrio Bus Sightseeing Tour of Dubrovnik: $35
  • Adults Only Sunset Cruise in Dubrovnik on a 16th-Century Karaka: $59
  • Adventure Dalmatia - Sunset Sea Kayaking & Snorkelling Dubrovnik: $41
  • Adventure Park Cadmos Village from Dubrovnik: $209
  • Afternoon Dubrovnik Guided Kayaking Tour: $33
  • Ancient Old City– Finest tour of Dubrovnik: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Dubrovnik 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Guided Wine Tasting with Regional Bites: $31
  • Coimbra Food and Wine Tasting Private Guided Walk: $41
  • Wine Tasting and Scenic Tour in Bairrada: $103

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $41
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $45
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $70
  • Private Scenic Sunset Tour & Premium Wine Tasting Above Dubrovnik: $75
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik -Train Ride &Wine Tasting: $93
  • Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting from Koločep: $102
  • Konavle Valley Tour, Train Ride and Wine Tasting from Kolocep: $103
  • Full Day Korcula and Peljesac Wine Tasting Tour in Dubrovnik: $114
  • Half Day Gastro Tour with Wine Tasting in Cilipi: $157
  • E-Bike Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small Group): $171


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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Dubrovnik?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Dubrovnik, 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 Dubrovnik?

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 Dubrovnik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Dubrovnik. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

Coimbra is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Dubrovnik 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Dubrovnik. Also, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets less rain in October than Dubrovnik. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Dubrovnik 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

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

In January, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dubrovnik. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Dubrovnik 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

Both Dubrovnik and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Coimbra is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Coimbra usually gets less rain in April than Dubrovnik. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Dubrovnik 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Coimbra

Coimbra Dubrovnik
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 14°C (57°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 178 mm (7 in)