A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Setubal vs. Coimbra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Setubal or Coimbra?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Coimbra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Setubal or Coimbra?

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Setubal?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, 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 Setubal and Coimbra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Coimbra 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Coimbra 88
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Coimbra

Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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.

Hotels in Setubal


Hotels in Coimbra


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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Coimbra 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $149
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $83
  • Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $22
  • Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $149

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $149
  • Transfer Fátima To Lisboa: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Coimbra?

Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Setubal 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Setubal 35
    Coimbra 48

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: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Coimbra 18

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Évora Tales and Legends Walking Tour from Évora: $55
  • Évora With Love Walking Tours: $55
  • Évora: Christian Heritage Private Walking Tour: $72
  • Évora: Private Walking Tour: $72
  • 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $50
  • Arrábida Jeep 4x4 tour to Arrábida, the most beautiful beach of Europe: $94
  • Arrábida National Park Rock Climbing Experience: $130
  • Arrábida Natural Park: Stand Up Paddleboard Tour and Lesson: $54
  • Arrábida Nature Jeep Tour: $65
  • Arrábida: Guided Transparent Kayaking Tour: $61

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $121
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $71
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $77
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $77
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $132
  • Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $77
  • Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $136
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $258
  • Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $44
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Coimbra 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $66
  • Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $72
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $77
  • Half-Day Tour to Arrabida from Sesimbra with Wine Tasting: $84
  • Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $113
  • Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $144
  • Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $171
  • 4x4 Cork Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $176

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $66
  • Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $176
  • Full-Day Private Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour from Coimbra: $181


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


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Coimbra?

Setubal has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or Coimbra?

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 Setubal or Coimbra in the Summer?

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

In July, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Setubal usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Coimbra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Coimbra.

Setubal is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the autumn, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Setubal usually gets less rain in October than Coimbra. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Coimbra in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Setubal is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. It's quite rainy in Setubal. In January, Setubal usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Coimbra in the Spring?

Both Coimbra and Setubal during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the spring, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in April than Coimbra. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Coimbra and Setubal

Setubal 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)