Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Plitvice Lakes National Park €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is €125. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Plitvice Lakes National Park €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Plitvice Lakes National Park €120
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Plitvice Lakes National Park
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 €11Plitvice Lakes National Park €26
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
- Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
- From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
- From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 €48Plitvice Lakes National Park €40
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 €18Plitvice Lakes National Park €34
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- 3,5 hours Guided Buggy Tour in Plitvice lakes: $76
- Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
- Croatia Walking Tour in a Wonderland: $174
- E-Bike tour Plitvice Big Waterfall Viewpoints & Tito's Villa: $87
- From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
- From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
- Full Day Private Tour of Plitvice Lakes from Split & Trogir: $738
- Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
- PLITVICE LAKES FULL DAY TOUR WITH LOCAL: $182
- Plitvice Countryside Bike Tour with Barac Caves: $76
- Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
- Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Plitvice Lakes National Park €14
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Additionally, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine during these months.
Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold during winter. Coimbra is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Plitvice Lakes National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.