Which place is cheaper, Siena or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Coimbra or Siena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Siena? 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 Siena?
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.
Siena
Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Siena €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Siena is €133. 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 Siena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Siena €69
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Siena €138
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Siena
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Siena? 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 Siena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Siena €20
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 Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
- Transfer Siena-Pisa with stop in San Gimignano & Lunch: $245
- Transfer Siena-Florence with visit to Chianti and wine tasting: $218
- Siena to Milan Malpensa airport private transfer: $1,433
- Siena to Milan Linate Airport 1-Way Private Transfer: $1,305
- Siena - Rome Transfer Tour with Orvieto & Montepulciano: $1,059
- Rome Fiumicino Airport: Shared Transfer to/from Siena by Bus: $11
- Private transfer from Siena to Florence: $202
- Luxury Private Transfer Between Siena and Genoa: $1,118
- From Florence: Private Siena Day Trip with Transfers: $348
- Arrival transfer Siena Airport SAY to Siena City by van or car: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Siena?
Prices for flights to both Siena 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 dayCoimbra €48Siena €51
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
- Siena food tour and Chianti wine: $60
- Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $95
- Tuscan Dinner in a Villa in an Ancient Siena Olive Grove: $98
- Siena Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $99
- From Siena/Chianti: Dinner & Drinks in the Chianti Vineyards: $102
- Siena countryside: cooking class in a real Tuscan farmhouse: $123
- Cooking Class in a historical villa in Siena Provence: $130
- Tuscan Cooking Class in Central Siena: $131
- 4 Hour Private Cooking Class Unique Tuscan Experience in Siena: $131
- Family Cooking Class: Pizza and Tiramisù from Siena: $138
- Small Group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $138
- Small group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $141
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Siena €3.75
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 Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
- Siena tour: Piazza del Campo & Duomo exploration: $125
- Walking Tour of Siena with food & Chianti wine: $71
- “Secret of Siena” City E-bike tour: $134
- 2 hour Siena Private Guided Walking Tour : $273
- 4-Hour Guided Bike Tour for Small Groups in Chianti: $180
- 500 Vintage Tour and Chianti Roads from Siena: $160
- 500 Vintage Tour: Chianti Roads Experience with Lunch from Florence: $164
- Afternoon Semi Private Chianti tour from Siena: $88
- Badesse: Vespa & Chianti Tour in the Tuscan Hills: $138
- Brunello di Montalcino wine experience with a sommelier : $262
- Chianti Classico E-Bike Tour: $284
- Chianti: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting with Cellar Tour: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Siena €2.19
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 Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
- Wine Tasting at the Winery in the Panoramic Terrance: $27
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting Experience: $35
- Total Immersion Wine Tour in Chianti: $43
- Lapi&Tour Guided tour of the cellars with wine tasting: $52
- From Florence: San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti Wine Tour: $55
- Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting: $60
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $61
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $63
- Tuscan Classics Wine Tasting Class with Aperitivo: $64
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting & Lunch in a Tuscan Castle: $64
- Wine and Food Pairing Class with Tuscan Wine Tastings: $75
- Organic Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Siena: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Siena?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Siena, 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 Siena?
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 Siena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Siena. Additionally, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. 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 Siena. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Siena 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Siena in the Autumn?
Both Siena and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Siena. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Siena 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Siena in the Winter?
Both Siena and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Coimbra is much warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Siena. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Siena. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Siena 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Siena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Siena. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Siena during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Siena. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Siena 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Siena and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Siena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.