Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Hydra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hydra or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hydra or Sintra? 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: Hydra or Sintra?
Hydra
The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.
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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-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 dayHydra €97Sintra €115
The average daily cost (per person) in Hydra is €97, 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 Hydra and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHydra €51Sintra €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHydra €102Sintra €114
Compare Hotels in Hydra and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Hydra 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: Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hydra €26Sintra €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Hydra or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Hydra 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 dayHydra €30Sintra €42
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.Hydra €11Sintra €23
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
- National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
- Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHydra €11Sintra €17
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 Hydra and Sintra, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Hydra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hydra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hydra 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 would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Hydra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hydra Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hydra or Sintra?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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 Hydra or Sintra?
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 Hydra or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Sintra. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hydra is a little warmer than Sintra in the summer. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hydra usually receives more rain than Sintra. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHydra 27°C (81°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Sintra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Sintra. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.
In the autumn, Hydra is around the same temperature as Sintra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hydra in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Sintra averages at about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the autumn, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun.
Hydra usually gets less rain in October than Sintra. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHydra 19°C (67°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Hydra is generally cooler than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 10°C (51°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. In January, Hydra usually receives less rain than Sintra. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHydra 10°C (51°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Sintra in the Spring?
Both Sintra and Hydra during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Hydra is around the same temperature as Sintra in the spring. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the spring, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun.
Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Sintra. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHydra 16°C (60°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Hydra
| Hydra | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 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.