Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Varenna? 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 Varenna?
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.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Varenna €164
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Varenna is €164. 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 Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Varenna €86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Varenna €172
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Varenna? 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 Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Varenna €34
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 Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna 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 €48Varenna €53
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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Varenna €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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Varenna €23
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 Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Varenna?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Varenna, 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 Varenna?
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 Varenna in the Summer?
Both Varenna and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Varenna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Varenna. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Varenna in the Autumn?
Both Varenna and Coimbra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.
Varenna 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 October than Varenna. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Varenna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Varenna. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Varenna. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Varenna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Varenna. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Varenna. Coimbra usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.