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

Should you visit Coimbra or Girona?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Girona? 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 Girona?

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.

Girona

Girona is an ancient town in northeastern Spain, and serves as the capital of the province of the same name in Spain's Catalonia region. It is characterized by narrow medieval alleys, architecture, and an impressive wall that once served to fortify the city.

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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Girona 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 Girona is €170. 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 Girona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Girona 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Girona 138
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Girona

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Girona? 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 Girona


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 and Girona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Girona 49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

  • Private transfer in Coimbra City : $95
  • Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $159
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $161
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Take Christ's Convent : $274
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova : $298

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Girona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Girona:

  • Palamós to Girona Airport (GRO) - Departure Private Transfer : $80
  • Palamós to Barcelona Airport (BNC) - Departure Private Transfer: $292
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Palamós - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Palamós - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Costa Brava - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Costa Brava - Arrival Private Transfer: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Girona?

Prices for flights to both Girona 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
    Girona 71

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Girona

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

  • Girona Morning Food Tour & Local Market: $106
  • Girona Evening Food Tour and Tapas Bar Experience: $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Girona 24

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

Tours and Activities in Girona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Girona are as follows:

  • Cadaqués Tour 1 hour stop and Super Vision underwater : $36
  • 2h Guided Kayak Tour on the Costa Brava: $48
  • Awaken the Adventure! Kayak at 8am: $30
  • Basic Dali Experience & Costa Brava from Girona or Palamos: $256
  • CG Gallery Lloret Ticket and Pass by Sergei Potetiunin: $11
  • Cadaqués Swimming Adventure: $36
  • Castell de Lloret Castle Entry Ticket: $21
  • Costa Brava South Boat Tour: $65
  • Costa Brava Sunset Boat Tour from Platja d'Aro: $66
  • Custom Costa Brava Tours from Barcelona or Girona: $256
  • Dalí Museum and Costa Brava Small Group Tour from Girona: $173
  • Entrance ticket to the Girona Art Museum: $7.16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Girona 9.69

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Girona

Also in Girona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vineyard walk and wine tasting in l’Empordà: $31
  • Horseback Ride and Wine Tasting Adventure: $107


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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Girona?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Girona, 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 Coimbra or Girona?

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 Coimbra or Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Girona. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Girona. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Girona 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

Coimbra is a little warmer than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Girona. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Girona 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Coimbra is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Girona. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Girona 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Girona. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Girona. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Girona 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Girona and Coimbra

Coimbra Girona
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (62°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (61°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)