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

Should you visit Gran Canaria or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Should I visit Gran Canaria 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: Gran Canaria or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.

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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €125, 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 Gran Canaria and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria


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: Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gran Canaria 46
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria

Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Vecindario to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to La Garita: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Vecindario : $31
  • El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
  • Private Transfer from Gran Canaria Port to Gran Canaria Airport: $33
  • Playa del Ingles to Gran Canaria Airport(LPA)- Departure Transfer: $33
  • Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from San Agustín to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $41
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to San Agustín: $41
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Costa Meloneras: $41

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Gran Canaria 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
    Gran Canaria 34
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gran Canaria 20
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.

  • Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
  • Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
  • Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
  • Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
  • Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
  • Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
  • Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
  • Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
  • Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
  • Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
  • Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
  • Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gran Canaria 7.14
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria

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

  • Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
  • Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
  • Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102


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



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Gran Canaria during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Gran Canaria is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gran Canaria in July average around 23°C (73°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 Gran Canaria. In the summer, Gran Canaria often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gran Canaria and Sintra-Cascais National Park.

In October, Gran Canaria is generally a little warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 23°C (73°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 Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gran Canaria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Gran Canaria gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Gran Canaria as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park.

Gran Canaria is much warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 187 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. Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Gran Canaria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gran Canaria in April average around 19°C (66°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 Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Gran Canaria gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Gran Canaria gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)


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