Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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.
Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Mont-Saint-Michel €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Mont-Saint-Michel is €156. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Mont-Saint-Michel €140
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Mont-Saint-Michel
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 and Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 €48Mont-Saint-Michel €44
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Mont-Saint-Michel €30
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 Mont-Saint-Michel
Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
- Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
- Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
- Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
- Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261
- Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
- Mt St. Michel Private Tour with Abbey tickets and tour guide: $272
- Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
- Private Guided Tour in WW2 Jeep of the Landing Beaches: $272
- Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Mont-Saint-Michel €7.86
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 1330 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Coimbra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.
In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Mont-Saint-Michel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.