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

Should you visit Bologna or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bologna and Sintra-Cascais National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bologna or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.

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 Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bologna is €159, 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 Bologna and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bologna 87
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bologna 174
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Bologna and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Bologna 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 Bologna


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bologna 21
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:

  • Marconi Airport Bus Transfer to/from Calenzano City: $21
  • Marconi Airport Bus Transfer to/from Florence City: $21
  • Bologna Airport: Private Transfer: $43
  • Bologna Airport transfer: $46
  • Ravenna Port to Ravenna Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Bologna to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $56
  • Private Transfer from Bologna City Hotels to Ancona Cruise Port: $76
  • Bologna to Florence - Departure Private Transfer: $83
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Ravenna port to Ravenna hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bologna 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
    Bologna 39
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna

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

  • Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
  • Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
  • Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
  • Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
  • Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
  • Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
  • Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
  • Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
  • Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
  • Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
  • Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
  • Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bologna 38
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:


  • Food Tour (for 2)
    31
  • Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)
    115
  • Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)
    67
  • National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)
    12
  • Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)
    12

Tours and Activities in Bologna

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide: $4.36
  • From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Porta Galliera to Le Tre Frecce: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Historical Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
  • Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $7.49
  • Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Ancient and Recent History Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bologna 28
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:

  • Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
  • From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
  • Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
  • Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
  • Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
  • Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
  • Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
  • Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
  • Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
  • Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
  • Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
  • Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163


When comparing the travel costs between Bologna and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bologna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bologna is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bologna in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. Bologna usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Bologna gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bologna usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 23 mm (0.9 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
    Bologna 24°C (75°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bologna during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In October, Bologna is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Bologna average around 16°C (61°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bologna often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. Bologna usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 123 mm (4.8 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
    Bologna 16°C (61°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bologna and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. Bologna is much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Bologna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Bologna usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Bologna gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sintra-Cascais National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bologna usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 75 mm (3 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
    Bologna 2°C (36°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Bologna as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bologna is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bologna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In the spring, Bologna often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

Bologna usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Bologna gets 79 mm (3.1 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
    Bologna 13°C (55°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Bologna

Bologna Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 76 mm (3 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)