A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Coimbra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Coimbra?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Coimbra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Coimbra?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is $160. 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 Zanzibar and Coimbra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Coimbra $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Coimbra $102
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Coimbra

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Coimbra $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
  • Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
  • Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
  • Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
  • Zanzibar Private Transfer – From Airport to Any Hotel: $50
  • Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
  • Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
  • Zanzibar Private Hotel-to-Hotel Transfer – 24/7 Service: $80
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40

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 Zanzibar or Coimbra?

Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Zanzibar 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
    Zanzibar $28
    Coimbra $96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
  • Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
  • Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
  • Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Coimbra $21

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
  • 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
  • 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
  • 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
  • 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
  • A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
  • A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
  • A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Coimbra $14

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Coimbra, we can see that Coimbra is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Coimbra is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Coimbra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coimbra than you might in Zanzibar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Coimbra?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Coimbra?

Coimbra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Zanzibar or Coimbra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Coimbra. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in July than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Coimbra in the Autumn?

Both Coimbra and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.

In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Coimbra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Coimbra averages at about 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Coimbra in the Winter?

Both Coimbra and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.

Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Coimbra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Coimbra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Coimbra in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Coimbra during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Coimbra and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Coimbra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)