Which place is cheaper, Sintra-Cascais National Park or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €117Sintra-Cascais National Park €142
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, 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 Marbella and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Sintra-Cascais National Park €63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Sintra-Cascais National Park €126
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Sintra-Cascais National Park
Looking for a hotel in Marbella 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.
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: Marbella Hotel Prices and Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Sintra-Cascais National Park €61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Fuengirola or Marbella: $21
- Private Transfer from Fuengirola to Malaga (AGP) airport: $64
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $68
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $75
- Private Transfer from Coín to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from Torre del Mar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Lomas De Cabopino to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Marbesa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Vélez-Málaga to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $104
- Private Transfer from Los Monteros to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $107
- Private Transfer from Algarrobo to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park?
Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Marbella 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 dayMarbella €38Sintra-Cascais National Park €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $87
- The Mediterranean Diet & Lifestyle Cooking Class.: $180
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Sintra-Cascais National Park €27
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Old Town through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.60
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour : $15
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $21
- Guided tour and olive oil tasting in Alhaurin el Grande (Málaga) : $22
- Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $24
- Marbella Old Town group tour with a True Local: $24
- group walking Tour: $26
- Explore Marbella Old Town: Tapas Tasting Adventure: $27
- Marbella like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $32
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Sintra-Cascais National Park €13
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Manilva & Gaucin Wine Tour from the Costa del Sol: $152
- From Manilva Sunset Wine Tasting Tour with Tapas: $159
- Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella: $195
- From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $213
- From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $234
- Full-Day Private Ronda Wine Tour Experience from Marbella: $262
- VIP Ronda Wine Tour and Tasting and Gourmet Lunch Experience with Winemaker: $272
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park is more expensive. And not only is Marbella much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marbella would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marbella 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 Marbella.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Marbella 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 Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°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 Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.
Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMarbella 25°C (77°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?
Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Marbella is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMarbella 19°C (67°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?
Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.
In the winter, Marbella is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.
Sintra-Cascais National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMarbella 12°C (54°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMarbella 16°C (60°F)Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Marbella
| Marbella | Sintra-Cascais National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.