A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Biarritz vs. Sintra-Cascais National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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: Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Biarritz

Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on southwestern France's Basque coast that has been a popular resort since European royalty started visiting the area in the 1800s. It is located on France's Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay. Half ritzy coastal resort, half summer surfer's hang-out, the seaside resort of Biarritz has been a favorite seaside getaway ever since Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugenie arrived during the mid-19th century. To entertain her court, the empress built a grand palace, which is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other than this exquisite villa by the sea, the names of the streets in Biarritz also hint at the city's royal past: Avenue de l'Imperatrice, Avenue de la Reine Victoria, and Esplanade Elizabeth II. Mansions decked with steeples and spectacular windows recall the city's 19th-century splendors. Though the royal influence of Biarritz has faded, the city is still a popular tourist destination for those looking for a classic summer holiday. Pristine sandy beaches, beautiful coastal villas, and stylish restaurants offer a sophisticated ambience. Wide seafront promenades and well-placed benches allow visitors to soak up the stunning natural landscape. Biarritz is also the capital of surfing in Europe.

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 Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Biarritz 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 Biarritz Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Biarritz 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 Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

In July, Biarritz is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 20°C (68°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Biarritz this time of the year. In the summer, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Biarritz is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Biarritz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Biarritz is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Biarritz in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.

Sintra-Cascais National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Biarritz is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Biarritz