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

Should you visit Pamplona or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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: Pamplona or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Pamplona

Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.

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 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €131, 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 Pamplona and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamplona 67
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamplona 134
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Pamplona 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 Pamplona


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamplona 24
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:

  • Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
  • Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
  • Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pamplona 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
    Pamplona 41
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    10
  • Ice Cream
    4.50
  • Coffee
    1.30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamplona 34
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Pamplona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:

  • Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
  • Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
  • From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
  • Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
  • Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
  • Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
  • Tour of the Bardenas " The great desert of Europe" and Tudela. : $234
  • San Sebastian & Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $235
  • Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
  • Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
  • San Sebastian And Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $240
  • Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamplona 31
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona

Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
  • Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
  • Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
  • Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
  • Rioja Wine Tour: $283


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



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In July, Pamplona is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 20°C (68°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 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
    Pamplona 20°C (68°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pamplona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Pamplona is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 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
    Pamplona 16°C (60°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pamplona is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamplona in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sintra-Cascais National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 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
    Pamplona 8°C (47°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Pamplona is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 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
    Pamplona 12°C (54°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pamplona

Pamplona Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 184 mm (7.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)