Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Sintra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Heraklion or Sintra?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
Sintra
Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Sintra €115
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Sintra is €115. 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 Heraklion and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Sintra €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Sintra €114
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Sintra? 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.
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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Sintra €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Shared Transfer From or To Heraklion Air - Hersonissos: $16
- Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer in Crete: $33
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOKKINI HANI area up to 7 customers: $44
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AMMOUDARA HERAKLION area up to 7: $47
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to ANISSARAS area up to 7 customers: $61
- VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to HERSONISSOS area up to 7 customers: $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AGIA PELAGIA area up to 7 customers: $62
- Transfer Heraklio Airport to ANALIPSI area up to 7 customers: $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Heraklion 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
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Food Meals for one dayHeraklion €52Sintra €42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Troy Dinner-Show: $33
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Sintra €23
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $8.56
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $8.73
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
- Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $16
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $17
- Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
- Party Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $19
- Knossos Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour KIDS: $21
- Minoan Day Experience: $22
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
- Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Sintra €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $60
- Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
- Wine Tasting Tour: $82
- Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
- Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
- Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
- From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Sintra, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Sintra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Sintra?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Sintra, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion or Sintra?
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 Heraklion or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Sintra. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Sintra. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Autumn?
Both Sintra and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Heraklion is around the same temperature as Sintra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sintra. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Sintra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Sintra. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Sintra. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sintra. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.