Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Coimbra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.
Where Should I go: Thessaloniki or Coimbra?
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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 Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, 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 dayThessaloniki €134Coimbra €103
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, 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 Thessaloniki and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Coimbra €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Coimbra €88
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki 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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Coimbra €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
- Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to TUI Blue Lagoon Hotels Private Transfer: $93
- Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Hotels Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Olivia Hotel Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Thessaloniki 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 dayThessaloniki €42Coimbra €48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
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.Thessaloniki €26Coimbra €18
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $199
- A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $120
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $70
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $76
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $131
- Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $76
- Bairrada Winery Route Experience, full-day from Coimbra: $134
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour: $254
- Coimbra Private Walking Tour with U.C. Tickets Early Access: $44
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Coimbra €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
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 Thessaloniki and Coimbra, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Coimbra?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Coimbra in the Summer?
Both Coimbra and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Coimbra averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Coimbra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Coimbra in the Autumn?
Both Coimbra and Thessaloniki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 159 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. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Coimbra in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Coimbra. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Thessaloniki is much colder than Coimbra in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Coimbra during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Coimbra in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Coimbra. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Thessaloniki is cooler than Coimbra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Coimbra averages at about 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Coimbra. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.