Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Lake Garda? 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Lake Garda? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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
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Food Meals for one dayCoimbra €48Lake Garda €42
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Lake Garda €30
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $199
- A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $120
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $70
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $131
- Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $76
- Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $134
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $254
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $44
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
- Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
- Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
- Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
- Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
- Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
- Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
- From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Lake Garda €19
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 Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
Both Lake Garda and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
In July, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
Both Lake Garda and Coimbra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lake Garda in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Lake Garda. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lake Garda in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Lake Garda. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than Lake Garda. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.