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

Should you visit Coimbra or Versailles?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Versailles? 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 Versailles?

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.

Versailles

Versailles is the town, now part of the Paris suburbs, that is home to the historic palace of King Louis XIV. The palace, also known as The Chateau de Versailles, was originally a hunting lodge and vacation area for former kings before Louis the 14th decided to build a much larger home. Since the end of France's monarchy in 1789, the palace has been used for other functions, and is now a tourist attraction, home to a museum of French history, expansive gardens, and historical art and antiques. The palace has also been used for important historical events such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which ended the first world war. This signing took place in the famous Hall of Mirrors, which visitors can stroll through today as part of the public tour.

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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Versailles, we can see that Versailles 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Versailles?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Versailles.

In the summer, Coimbra is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Versailles averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Versailles this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Versailles. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Coimbra or Versailles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Versailles. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Versailles. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Coimbra or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Coimbra is much warmer than Versailles in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Versailles. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Coimbra or Versailles in the Spring?

Both Versailles and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Versailles averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than Versailles. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Coimbra