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

Should you visit Coimbra or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Saint-Etienne? 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 Saint-Etienne?

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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Saint-Etienne. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Coimbra or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Saint-Etienne. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Coimbra or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Coimbra or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Coimbra