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

Should you visit Coimbra or Hvar?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Hvar? 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 Hvar?

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.

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Hvar 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 Hvar is €102. 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 Hvar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Hvar 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Hvar 76
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Hvar

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Hvar? 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 Hvar


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 Hvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Hvar 47

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 Hvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:

  • Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $535

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Hvar?

Prices for flights to both Hvar 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
    Hvar 38

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 Hvar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hvar.

  • Hvar Charming Abandoned Village Small Group Tour and Local Dinner: $180
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $187
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $202
  • Hvar Abandoned Village Tour with Local Dinner: $214
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner: $234
  • Food Tour: Traditional Flavours and Food Sampling on Hvar: $262
  • The Best of Hvar in a Day with Wine tasting and Local Dinner: $273
  • Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Hvar 7.48

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 Hvar

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

  • BLUE CAVE & 5 islands tour from Hvar: $98
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $22
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $23
  • 3-Hour Lavender Tour from Hvar: $150
  • Adventurous Blue and Green Cave group tour: $86
  • Back to the Roots - Ancient Island Interactive Experience: $141
  • Beach bar Laganini and Hula Hula half-day Private Boat Tour: $918
  • Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar: $229
  • Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour from Hvar: $109
  • Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands group Tour from Hvar: $107
  • Blue cave group tour with swimming and snorkelling from Hvar: $76
  • Blue cave tour with speed boat from town Hvar: $196

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Hvar 9.18

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $118
  • Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $142
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $157
  • Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Hvar: $175


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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Hvar?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Hvar. Additionally, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Coimbra is generally cooler than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Hvar. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Hvar 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Coimbra is around the same temperature as Hvar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Hvar. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Coimbra or Hvar in the Winter?

Both Hvar and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

In the winter, Coimbra is a little warmer than Hvar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Hvar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Hvar. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Hvar 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Hvar. Also, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Hvar. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar 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 Hvar during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Hvar. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Hvar 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Hvar and Coimbra

Coimbra Hvar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)