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

Should you visit Pisa or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

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

Pisa

Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.

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 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pisa is €120, 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 Pisa and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pisa 60
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pisa 120
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Pisa and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Pisa 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 Pisa


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pisa 11
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pisa

Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to San Giuliano Terme: $69
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Vecchiano: $69
  • Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Calambrone: $79
  • Private Transfer from Calambrone to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Calci: $79
  • Private Transfer from Calci to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer: Pisa Airport PSA to Pisa city in Luxury Van: $85
  • Private Transfer: Pisa city to Pisa Airport PSA in Luxury Van: $85
  • Pisa Private Transfer from Pisa city centre to Pisa Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisa city hotels to Livorno Cruise Port: $91
  • Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA) to La Spezia Cruise Port: $92

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pisa 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
    Pisa 50
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41
Typical Food Prices in Pisa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:


  • Dinner
    75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa

For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $39
  • Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $75
  • Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $93
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $93
  • Pisa Food Tour: $95
  • Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
  • Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa: $158
  • Authentic Italian Food Tour in Pisa: $521

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pisa 20
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Pisa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.

  • Tower of Pisa & Square of Miracles self guided audio tour: $4.27
  • From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Pisa: $8.72
  • Pisa Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Pisa Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • The Best of Pisa Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Pisa Cathedral Guided Tour and Optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $16
  • Square of Miracles guided tour with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $17
  • Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide: $19
  • Camposanto and Cathedral Entry Tickets and Audio Guide: $19
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $19

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Pisa

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

  • Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $48
  • Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $50
  • Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $75
  • From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $90
  • Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $97
  • Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $99
  • Tuscan Wine Tour in Pisa by shuttle: $163
  • Pisa & Lucca with wine Tasting and Lunch from Livorno: $663


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

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



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pisa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In July, Pisa is generally around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 23°C (73°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pisa. In the summer, Pisa often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Pisa usually gets more rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pisa 23°C (73°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Pisa is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. Pisa usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pisa usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pisa 17°C (63°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pisa is much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pisa in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Pisa often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pisa 7°C (45°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Pisa is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 13°C (55°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. In April, Pisa usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pisa 13°C (55°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Pisa

Pisa Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (45°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)