Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Sintra. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Sintra?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
Sintra
Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Sintra €115
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Sintra is €115. 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 Athens and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Sintra €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Sintra €114
Compare Hotels in Athens and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Sintra? 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Sintra €21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer to/from Argos: $14
- One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $20
- Private Transfer from Piraeus Port and Hotels to Athens: $22
- Athens Hotels To Piraeus Port-Hotels Luxury Transfer Services: $22
- Private transfer between Athens hotels and Piraeus Port: $22
- From Athens Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Rafina Port: $24
- Athens Private Transfer: Piraeus Cruise Port to Central Athens : $24
- Private Transfer from Athens City to Piraeus Port: $26
- Piraeus Port: Private One-Way Transfer to Athens City Center: $26
- Athens City to Athens Airport Easy Van and Minibus Transfer: $28
- Athens Airport to Athens City Easy Van and Minibus Transfer: $28
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Athens 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 dayAthens €37Sintra €42
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Sintra €23
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Meouzo Online City Tour: $3.20
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.21
- Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.60
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.53
- Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Greece: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $7.18
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.48
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
- Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Sintra €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $35
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $60
- Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
- Wine Tasting Tour: $82
- Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
- Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
- Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
- From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Sintra, we can see that Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Sintra?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Sintra, 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 Athens or Sintra?
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 Athens or Sintra in the Summer?
Both Sintra and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Sintra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sintra averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in July than Sintra. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sintra. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Sintra. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sintra. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Athens is cooler than Sintra in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Sintra fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Sintra. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra in the Spring?
Both Sintra and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Athens is around the same temperature as Sintra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Sintra averages at about 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Sintra. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Athens
| Athens | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.