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

Should you visit Coimbra or Gijon?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Gijon? 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 Gijon?

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.

Gijon

Gijon is a coastal city of the Asturias Principality of Spain. Known for its Roman past, museums, sculptures, and architecture, visitors have many opportunities to learn about Gijon's cultural and historic past. Given its location by the sea, the city is also skirted by a few nice beaches for a more leisurely getaway.

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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Gijon 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 Gijon is €119. 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 Gijon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Gijon 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Gijon 160
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Gijon

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Gijon? 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 Gijon


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
    Gijon 9.69

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: $157

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gijon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gijon:

  • Private Transfer from Gijon Cruise Port to Asturias Airport (OVD): $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Gijon?

Prices for flights to both Gijon 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
    Gijon 31

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

Typical Food Prices in Gijon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gijon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Gijon 12

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

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

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • 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: $7.62
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16

Tours and Activities in Gijon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gijon are as follows:

  • Classic romantic walking tour in Gijon: $192
  • Fascinating Memories of the Gijon Walking Tour: $208
  • Full-Day Cudillero and Luarca Private Tour from Gijon: $286
  • Gijón Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Experience: $8.95
  • Hiking Experience in Asturias, from Gijón or Oviedo: $93
  • Private Cultural Tour of Oviedo with Pickup: $297
  • Private Tour of Gijon City and Villaviciosa : $287

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Gijon 14

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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Gijon?

Gijon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Gijon, 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 Gijon?

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 Gijon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Gijon.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Gijon in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Gijon fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gijon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 203 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Gijon. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Gijon 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Gijon in the Autumn?

Both Gijon and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Coimbra is a little warmer than Gijon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Gijon averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gijon. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Gijon 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Gijon in the Winter?

Both Gijon and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Gijon. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 95 hours of full sun.

Gijon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Gijon. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Gijon 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Gijon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Gijon.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Gijon in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Gijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gijon. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Gijon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Gijon and Coimbra

Coimbra Gijon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 11°C (53°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 14°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (60°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 12°C (54°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)