Which place is cheaper, Pamplona or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Pamplona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona?
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.
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Pamplona €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Pamplona is €131. 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 Pamplona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Pamplona €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Pamplona €134
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Pamplona
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Pamplona €24
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 Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Pamplona?
Prices for flights to both Pamplona 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 €48Pamplona €41
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 Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Pamplona €34
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 Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour, lunch included: $260
- Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
- Pamplona - Private Historic Walking Tour: $427
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
- Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Private tour of Fuenterrabia and San Sebastian.: $283
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
- Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Pamplona €31
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 Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: $283
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona 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 Pamplona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Pamplona?
Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Pamplona, 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 Pamplona?
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 Pamplona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Pamplona. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.
In July, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Pamplona 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Pamplona in the Autumn?
Both Pamplona and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Pamplona 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Pamplona in the Winter?
Both Pamplona and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Coimbra is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.
Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Pamplona 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Pamplona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Pamplona. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Pamplona 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pamplona and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Pamplona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.