Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Lagos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lagos or Coimbra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Coimbra. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lagos or Coimbra?
Lagos
A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.
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Lagos Prices
Portugal PricesCoimbra Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLagos €143Coimbra €138
The average daily cost (per person) in Lagos is €143, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €138. 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 Lagos and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLagos €61Coimbra €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLagos €122Coimbra €88
Compare Hotels in Lagos and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Lagos or Coimbra? 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: Lagos Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lagos €31Coimbra €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:
- Private Transfer: Lagos to Seville: $399
- Private Transfer from Santa Maria (Lagos) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $156
- Private Transfer from Quinta Falzina to Faro (FAO) Airport: $212
- Private Transfer from Praia da Luz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $221
- Private Transfer from Lagos to Faro (FAO) Airport: $156
- Private Transfer from Burgau to Faro (FAO) Airport: $200
- Private Transfer from Budens to Faro (FAO) Airport: $200
- Private Direct Transfer From Lagos to Lisbon: $287
- From Porto Airport: Transfer to Lagos Central Bus Station: $37
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lagos: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $158
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova: $293
- Private transfer from Porto Airport to Coimbra: $211
- Private transfer from/to Fátima - Porto, Braga or Guimarães: $209
- Private transfer from/to Fatima - Porto, Coimbra or Aveiro: $269
- Transfer from Lisboa to Coimbra with visit to Fátima Sanctuary, half day: $198
- Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Lagos or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Lagos 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 dayLagos €59Coimbra €83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lagos.
- From Wild West Coast Sunset Hike with Tapas Dinner & Wine: $104
- Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $104
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class: $117
- Bifana Cooking Class: The Most Iconic Portuguese Sandwich: $146
- Portuguese Cooking Class: Algarve’s Pork & Seafood Cataplana: $147
- Market Tour & Cooking Class: Algarve’s Seafood Cataplana: $176
- Market Tour and Cataplana Cooking Class: $176
- Home-Style Portuguese Cooking Class in Portimao with Pedro: $179
- Lagos : Eat with a Local, Market Tour and Show Cooking: $180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Erotic Cabaret Show and Dinner: $64
- Bairrada Food Tour: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lagos €26Coimbra €18
Tours and Activities in Lagos
Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Algarve Surf Experience: $94
- Algarve Coastal Trail E Bike Tour Lagos to Ria de Alvor: $58
- Algarve Gravel Bike Tour: Odyssey in the Southwest: $105
- Algarve: Catamaran Cruise with Paddleboarding & Snacks: $1,267
- Algarve: Lagos Sightseeing guided Tour with e-bikes: $76
- Algarve: Lagos sightseeing guided tour with E-bikes: $76
- Benagil Cave Boat Tour – Lagos Algarve: $47
- Benagil Caves Tour Adventure for the whole family: $44
- Benagil Tour: $88
- Boat Cruise to Algar de Benagil from Lagos: $40
- Boomshaka Kayak Tour: $28
- Bravura Lake SUP Tour – Hidden Gem Flatwater Experience: $61
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.50
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.43
- Leiria Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $4.43
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.43
- Highlights Walking Tour With a Certified Guide: $5.82
- TOP Coimbra : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.85
- Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour: $5.85
- Coimbra Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h25 and 25 Audio Comments: $6.90
- Coimbra’s Timeless Tracks: An Enchanting Train Tour: $8.73
- Shepherds and Secrets: Audio Tour of Fátima’s Sacred Sites: $9.99
- Coimbra’s Jewish Heritage An Audio Tour of the Medieval Town: $9.99
- Pilgrims and Pioneers: A Self-Guided Tour Audio of Tomar: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLagos €6.79Coimbra €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:
- Guided Gin Distillery Tour With Tasting at Alma Luz: $23
- Lagos Pub Crawl: Festive Night with Drinks, Games & VIP Entry: $44
- Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Lagos: $76
- Wine Tasting & Tapas 4x4 Tours: $92
- Wine Tasting Off-Road Tour: $93
- Full-Day Private Algarve Golden Coast & Wine Tasting Experience: $293
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Guided Wine Tasting with Regional Bites: $31
- Coimbra Food and Wine Tasting Private Guided Walk: $41
- Bairrada Sommelier Experience Wine Tasting and Lunch: $186
When comparing the travel costs between Lagos and Coimbra, we can see that Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lagos or Coimbra?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos and Coimbra, 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 Lagos or Coimbra?
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 Lagos or Coimbra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Coimbra. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lagos this time of year.
In July, Lagos is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 25°C (77°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Lagos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Coimbra. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLagos 25°C (77°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Coimbra in the Autumn?
Both Coimbra and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lagos for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lagos is a little warmer than Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. It's quite rainy in Lagos. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLagos 26°C (79°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Coimbra in the Winter?
Both Coimbra and Lagos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lagos in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Lagos is much warmer than Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lagos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLagos 27°C (81°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Coimbra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Coimbra. Most visitors come to Lagos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Lagos is generally much warmer than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 28°C (82°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLagos 28°C (82°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Lagos
| Lagos | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 29°C (84°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 316 mm (12.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.