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

Should you visit Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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: Bilbao or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra-Cascais National Park or Bilbao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, 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 Bilbao and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao 72
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao 144
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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.

Hotels in Bilbao


Hotels in Sintra-Cascais National Park


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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao 26
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Private One way Airport Transfer Bilbao Airport to from Bilbao: $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
  • Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
  • Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bilbao 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
    Bilbao 45
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

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

  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
  • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
  • Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
  • Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
  • Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
  • Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bilbao 29
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
  • VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
  • Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
  • 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
  • Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
  • Bilbao tour: $17
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
  • Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
  • Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
  • Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
  • Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao 21
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

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

  • Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
  • Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
  • Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
  • Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
  • Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
  • From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
  • Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246


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



When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bilbao 20°C (68°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Bilbao is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bilbao 16°C (62°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.

In the winter, Bilbao is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bilbao 9°C (48°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

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

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bilbao 12°C (54°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bilbao

Bilbao Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)