A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Braga vs. Sintra-Cascais National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Braga or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

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

Braga

Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €112, 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 Braga and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Braga 54
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Braga 108
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Braga and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Braga 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 Braga


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Braga 20
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:

  • Airport Transfer Porto> Viana do Castelo: $94
  • Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $101
  • Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $130
  • Private Car Transfer from Braga to Lisbon with 2 hours for sightseeing: $278

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Braga 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
    Braga 40
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga

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

  • Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Braga 16
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Braga

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

  • Casa dos Coimbras ( Chapel and Tower ) ticket & drink: $5.33
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.68
  • Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $7.86
  • Tuk Tuk City Tour: $16
  • Tree and Slide Adventure in Lamas de Mouro at PNPG: $24
  • Paintball Experience : $33
  • Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $42
  • Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $42
  • Guimarães Old Town Private Walking Tour: $54
  • KAYAK TOUR I Descent of the River Lima in Kayak: $54
  • Stand Up Paddle Tour: $54
  • Lagoons and Waterfalls Tour - Serra do Soajo: $60

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Braga

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

  • Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
  • Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $141
  • Douro Valley - Régua-Pinhão - with wine tasting: $147
  • Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $287
  • Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $533


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Braga and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park is more expensive. And not only is Braga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Braga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Braga and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sintra-Cascais National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra-Cascais National Park than you might in Braga.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Braga Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Braga is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Braga in July average around 21°C (69°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 Braga. Braga usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Braga usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 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
    Braga 21°C (69°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Braga during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Braga is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 17°C (62°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, Braga often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 184 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 Braga. Braga usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 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
    Braga 17°C (62°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Sintra-Cascais National Park.

Braga is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Braga usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Braga gets 124 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. Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Braga usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 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
    Braga 10°C (50°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Braga as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park.

In the spring, Braga is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Braga in April average around 14°C (56°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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Braga this time of the year. In the spring, Braga often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

Braga receives a lot of rain in the spring. Braga usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 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
    Braga 14°C (56°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Braga

Braga Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)


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