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

Should you visit Coimbra or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Rijeka? 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 Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka

Rijeka is the main seaport city of Croatia. It is located in Kvarner on the Kvarner Bay, which is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. There are over 100,000 residents, making it Croatia's third largest city. The city's economy is heavily dependent on shipbuilding and maritime transport. There is also the University of Rijeka, which was founded in 1973 with roots dating back to 1632.

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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Rijeka 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 Rijeka is €95. 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 Rijeka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Rijeka 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Rijeka 100
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Rijeka

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Rijeka? 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 Rijeka


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 Rijeka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Rijeka 16

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 Rijeka?

Prices for flights to both Rijeka 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
    Rijeka 34

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Rijeka 8.89

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 Rijeka

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rijeka are as follows:

  • Drava Sup Exploring Adventure: $44
  • From Golden Island of Krk Tour: $93
  • Istria Highlights Tour from Rijeka or Pula: $122
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour: $631
  • Private Walking Cultural Tour of Rijeka: $235
  • History of Military Forts Guided Tour: $64
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $127
  • Pula, Rovinj, and Panoramic Istrian Coast Tour: $121
  • Tour the underground with no experience required: $64
  • Ucka Mountain: Guided Hiking Tour: $449

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Rijeka 16

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 comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Rijeka. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Coimbra is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Rijeka 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Coimbra is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Rijeka 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Coimbra is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Rijeka 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Rijeka. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rijeka. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Rijeka 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Coimbra

Coimbra Rijeka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)