Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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: Malaga or Coimbra?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Coimbra €103
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, 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 Malaga and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Coimbra €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Coimbra €88
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Coimbra €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $55
- Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $164
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to ESTEPONA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $125
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from/to Motril to/from Malaga with private driver: $159
- Private Transfer from airport to Malaga : $69
- Private Transfer from Torrequebrada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torremuelle to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torremolinos to Malaga (AGP) airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Coimbra €48
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
- Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $86
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Coimbra €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $153
- Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $240
- Sealife Benalmadena Entrance Ticket: $21
- Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
- 1 Hour Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $87
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
- 1h buggy tour: $115
- 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $164
- 2 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $142
- 2 Hours Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $125
- 2 Hours Kayak Tour in Cerro Gordo Natural Park, La Herradura: $28
- 2-Hour French Guided Walking Tour in Malaga: $20
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Coimbra €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting: $35
- Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga: $60
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
- Ronda Tour & Winery Experience with Wine Tasting from Malaga: $109
- Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $136
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Coimbra, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Coimbra?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga or Coimbra in the Summer?
Both Coimbra and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Coimbra averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Coimbra. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 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 JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Coimbra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Coimbra. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Coimbra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Coimbra. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Malaga is a little warmer than Coimbra in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Malaga usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 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 JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Coimbra in the Spring?
Both Coimbra and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Malaga is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Coimbra averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Coimbra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 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 AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Malaga
| Malaga | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.