Which place is cheaper, Sintra-Cascais National Park or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
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-Cascais National Park. 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-Cascais National Park?
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-Cascais National Park
The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is located on the west coast of Portugal and is often called the place where "the land ends and the sea begins". The UNESCO listed park is famous for being home to Cabo da Roca, a seaside cliff that is actually the westernmost part of Europe. Sintra-Cascais is interesting due to their large diversity in landscape which includes sand dunes, lakes, forests, and ocean cliffs.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Sintra-Cascais National Park €142
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Sintra-Cascais National Park is €142. 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-Cascais National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Sintra-Cascais National Park €63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Sintra-Cascais National Park €126
Compare Hotels in Athens and Sintra-Cascais National Park
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Sintra-Cascais National Park €61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
-
Airport Bus for Two€6.40
-
Metro€1.50
-
Metro€2.00
-
Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
-
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Sintra-Cascais National Park €41
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream€3.00
-
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Sintra-Cascais National Park €27
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
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Greece: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $7.18
- South Slope of the Acropolis audiovisual self-guided tour: $7.48
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Sintra-Cascais National Park €13
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
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park 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-Cascais National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
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-Cascais National Park in the Summer?
Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Sintra-Cascais National Park, 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-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn 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-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park 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-Cascais National Park during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Athens is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?
Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Athens is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Athens
| Athens | Sintra-Cascais National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.