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

Should you visit Santorini or Coimbra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Coimbra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Santorini or Coimbra?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Santorini?

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 Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €138. 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 Santorini and Coimbra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Coimbra 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Coimbra 88
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Coimbra

Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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 Santorini


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Coimbra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Coimbra 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Santorini Private Roundtrip Transfer from/to Airport,Port & Hotel: $72
  • Santorini Private Airport Transfer : $29
  • Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $108
  • Private Transfers From or To Santorini Ferry Port : $60
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Coimbra?

Prices for flights to both Coimbra and Santorini 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
    Santorini 96
    Coimbra 83

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.
    Santorini 35
    Coimbra 18

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $121
  • Magical Santorini Highlights Private Tour: $120
  • Private Experience in Santorini with Guide in Spanish: $269
  • Private Oia and Ammoudi Sunset Experience: $203
  • Private Santorini Sunset Picnic Experience: $203
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal, Open-Bar & Sunset Views: $155
  • Santorini Classic Highlights and Sightseeing Private Tour: $177
  • Santorini Private Tour for Wine Enthusiasts: $215
  • Santorini Shopping Therapy: Style & Tradition Tour: $215
  • Santorini Unlocked: Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver: $203
  • Santorini's Story. Insta and TikTok Experience. Private tour : $203

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 : $218
  • A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $155
  • An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $89
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $89
  • An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $155
  • Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $89
  • Buggy Tour in Serra da Lousã 2Hours: $143
  • Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra: $101
  • Coimbra Adventure Discovery and Learning with a Local: $42
  • Coimbra City Tour : $24
  • Coimbra Downhill Tour Highlights History and Student Traditions: $5.96
  • Coimbra Downtown Walking Tour with uptown insights : $5.96

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 25
    Coimbra 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

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

  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Private Wine Tasting-Wine Museum- Snacks: 2, 3 or 4 Wineries: $194
  • Private Wine Tour in Santorini - Greece: $203

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Coimbra?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.