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

Should you visit Coimbra or Costa Vicentina?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Costa Vicentina? 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: Coimbra or Costa Vicentina?

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.

Costa Vicentina

Costa Vicentina is the beautiful coastal area in southwest Portugal which runs through both the Algarve and Alentejo Regions along the southern coast. This is actually part of the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, making it one of the best places to experience the unadulterated beauty and nature of the country. Costa Vicentina offers miles of some of the best Portugal beaches, fantastic hiking trails, and lovely old villages to explore. The area sees far more Portuguese tourists than international ones, so expect Portuguese to be the only language spoken by many people, especially in the smaller villages.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Walking Tours in Portugal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Costa Vicentina or Coimbra?

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 Coimbra is €138, while the average daily cost in Costa Vicentina is €150. 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 Coimbra and Costa Vicentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Costa Vicentina 66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Costa Vicentina 132
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Costa Vicentina

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Costa Vicentina? 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 Coimbra


Hotels in Costa Vicentina


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: Coimbra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Costa Vicentina 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: $161
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova : $298
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Take Christ's Convent : $274
  • Private transfer in Coimbra City : $95
  • Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $159

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Costa Vicentina?

Prices for flights to both Costa Vicentina and Coimbra 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
    Coimbra 83
    Costa Vicentina 59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tomar Cooking Class & Garden-to-Table Meal with Lake Views: $142

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Costa Vicentina 17

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 and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
  • Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour: $5.96
  • Coimbra Downtown Walking Tour with uptown insights : $5.96
  • Coimbra Downhill Tour Highlights History and Student Traditions: $5.96
  • Coimbra Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.34
  • Tomar’s Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Tour of Fado Traditions in Coimbra: $9.99
  • Coimbra City Tour : $24
  • Cycle to Ancient Dolmens in Azenha. History, Theory & Folklore Guided Tour: $36
  • Coimbra Adventure Discovery and Learning with a Local: $42
  • Tomar and the Templars Convent of Christ Tour: A Historical Tale: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Costa Vicentina 8.71

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: $72
  • Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $251


When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Costa Vicentina, we can see that Costa Vicentina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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