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

Should you visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra-Cascais National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

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 River Cruises in France, The Best Bicycle Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra-Cascais National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mont-Saint-Michel is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Mont-Saint-Michel average around 19°C (65°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mont-Saint-Michel as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Mont-Saint-Michel is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mont-Saint-Michel averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In the autumn, Mont-Saint-Michel often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun.

Mont-Saint-Michel usually gets less rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Mont-Saint-Michel is much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mont-Saint-Michel in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In January, Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Mont-Saint-Michel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Mont-Saint-Michel is generally much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Mont-Saint-Michel average around 10°C (50°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Mont-Saint-Michel often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

Mont-Saint-Michel usually gets less rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Mont-Saint-Michel