Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lisbon or Coimbra? 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.
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €103. 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 Lisbon and Coimbra in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Lisbon 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.
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Coimbra, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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.
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.
Both Coimbra and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Lisbon is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Coimbra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Coimbra and Lisbon during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In the autumn, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Coimbra averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun.
Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lisbon usually gets less rain in October than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Coimbra. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Coimbra. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Lisbon is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than Coimbra. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lisbon | Coimbra | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |