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

Should you visit Coimbra or Kotor?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Kotor? 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 Kotor?

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.

Kotor

A coastal town of Montenegro, Kotor is also a beautifully-preserved fortified, medieval town, featuring a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively piazzas, historic churches, and a spread of bars and restaurants throughout its historic Old Town.

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 Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Kotor 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 Kotor is €100. 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 Kotor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Kotor 49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Kotor 98
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Kotor

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Kotor? 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 Kotor


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 Kotor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Kotor 9.26

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 Kotor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kotor:

  • Transfer service: $131
  • Transfer from Tivat airport to Dubrovnik city: $96
  • Transfer from Tivat Airport to Budva: $65
  • Transfer from Kotor to Podgorica: $58
  • Transfer Tivat Airport to Kotor old town : $55
  • Transfer Tivat Airport - Kotor Old Town (and viceversa): $53
  • Transfer Portonovi / Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik Old Town: $251
  • Tivat to Kotor one way transfer: $102
  • Tivat hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Tivat Airport (TIV): Private Transfer to Kotor Cruise Port: $90
  • Private transfer from Kotor to Dubrovnik: $240
  • Private transfer from Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik airport: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Kotor?

Prices for flights to both Kotor 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
    Kotor 43

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 Kotor

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

  • Kotor City Tour and Cooking Class : $203
  • Kotor private cooking class with lunch and Old town guided tour: $226
  • Kotor and Perast Private Tour with Cooking Class and Boat Ride: $262
  • Cooking class in a local home & old town walking tour: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Kotor 8.32

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 Kotor

Here are a few actual costs in Kotor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Blue Cave, Lady of Rocks and Mamula Speed Boat Tour : $44
  • "Adriatic Adventure: Blue Cave & Islands Speedboat Tour": $46
  • 1-Day Montenegro Hiking Tour to Durmitor National Park : $119
  • 3 Hour Speed Boat Tour to Blue Cave with WiFi and Drinks: $55
  • 3-Hour Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks Private Speedboat Tour: $294
  • Adventure park ’Lovcen’ and Njegos’s Mausoleum : $198
  • All inclusive - Lovcen tour: $131
  • Bay of 2-Hour Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour : $55
  • Bike & hike tour : $82
  • Bike tour - Downhill from Njegos Mausoleum to Kotor bay: $134

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Kotor 8.51

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 Kotor

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kotor:

  • Private tour: Homemade food and wine tasting at my family home: $125
  • Private National Park Lovcen with food and wine tasting: $136
  • Wine tasting and magical tour from Kotor, Budva, Tivat (Lovcen,Skadar lake): $251
  • National Parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen+Wine tasting (Private tour): $260
  • Skadar Lake National Park with Wine Tasting: $428


When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Kotor, 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 Kotor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Kotor?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Kotor, 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 Kotor?

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 Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Coimbra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kotor for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Coimbra is cooler than Kotor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Kotor averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the summer, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Kotor. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Coimbra or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Kotor. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kotor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Kotor. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Kotor. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Kotor 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Kotor. Additionally, most visitors come to Kotor for the cuisine during these months.

Coimbra is much warmer than Kotor in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kotor. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Coimbra usually gets less rain in January than Kotor. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Kotor 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Kotor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Kotor averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Kotor during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In April, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Kotor. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Kotor 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kotor and Coimbra

Coimbra Kotor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (67°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 17°C (63°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 11°C (53°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)