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

Should you visit Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz? 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

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 Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Vitoria-Gasteiz, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Vitoria-Gasteiz.

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

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz.

In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets less rain in October than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vitoria-Gasteiz. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Coimbra or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun.

Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Coimbra usually gets less rain in April than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Coimbra