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

Should you visit Lagos or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Sintra-Cascais National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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

Lagos

A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.

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.

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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lagos is €118, 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 Lagos and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lagos 61
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lagos 122
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Lagos and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Lagos 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 Lagos


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lagos 31
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:

  • From Porto Airport: Transfer to Lagos Central Bus Station: $33
  • Transfer Burgau - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
  • Transfer Lagos - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
  • Transfer Burgau - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $71
  • Transfer Lagos - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $76
  • Private Transfer from Praia da Luz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $104
  • Private Transfer from Gil Eannes Square to Faro (FAO) Airport: $104
  • Private Transfer from Santa Maria (Lagos) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $104
  • Private Transfer from Lagos to Faro (FAO) Airport: $104
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to/from Monchique or Lagos: $104
  • Private Transfer to Faro Airport (60 min): $109
  • Faro Airport to/from Lagos/Private Transfer max 4 passengers: $119

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

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos

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

  • Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lagos 26
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Lagos

Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Walking Tour with Local Tips: $16
  • Tour to inside the Caves /Grottos the Ponta da Piedade -Lagos: $20
  • Ponta da Piedade Rock Formations Guided Boat Tour: $20
  • In-App Adventure Hunt: $22
  • Tour to go inside the Ponta da Piedade Caves/Grottos and see the beaches - Lagos: $24
  • Boat Tours: $27
  • NATURA TOUR - Countryside of Lagos - ECO TUK and LOCAL guide: $30
  • TUK TUK Tour around Lagos Old & New Town & beaches - Best way to know Lagos: $32
  • Sailing cave tour Ponta da Piedade Lagos: $33
  • Coast Cruise Trip to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos: $33
  • Coastal Tour 2H30M / Lagos / Grottos / Aqua Trampoline: $38
  • Lagos Portugal:Bike tour History and breathtaking views.: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lagos 6.79
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:

  • Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas: $39
  • Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Lagos: $66
  • Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $87
  • Benagil Secrets: Jeep and Boat Tour with Wine Tasting: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park is more expensive. And not only is Lagos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lagos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lagos 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 Lagos.

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



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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Lagos for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lagos is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Lagos usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 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
    Lagos 25°C (77°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Lagos in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lagos is a little warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lagos usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 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
    Lagos 26°C (79°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In January, Lagos usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 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
    Lagos 27°C (81°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Lagos during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lagos is much warmer than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 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
    Lagos 28°C (82°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Lagos

Lagos Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 29°C (84°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 202 mm (8 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 316 mm (12.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)


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