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

Should you visit San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian 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: San Sebastian or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

San Sebastian

San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.

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.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Sebastian is €90, 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 San Sebastian and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Sebastian 40
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Sebastian 80
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in San Sebastian and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian


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: San Sebastian Hotel Prices and Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Sebastian 14
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:

  • Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
  • San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291

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

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and San Sebastian 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
    San Sebastian 31
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    55
  • Lunch for 2
    10
  • Lunch for 2
    31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian

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

  • San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
  • Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
  • Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
  • Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
  • I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
  • Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
  • Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
  • Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
  • Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
  • History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Sebastian 33
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Valle de los Caídos Monument
    6.00

Tours and Activities in San Sebastian

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

  • San Sebastian Walking Tour With Pintxo And Drink: $16
  • Guided tour of San Sebastián: $19
  • Walking Tour in San Sebastian: $43
  • Electric scooter city tour: $45
  • City tour, bike ride: $45
  • San Sebastian : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
  • City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
  • Private Walking Tour in San Sebastian with Pintxo and Drink: $54
  • San Sebastián City Bike tour : $54
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Bike Tour of San Sebastian: $60
  • Hondarribia, S.Juan & S.Pedro Small Group Tour from San Sebastian: $60
  • Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián : $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Sebastian 20
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian

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

  • Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
  • Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
  • Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
  • Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298


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

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



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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and San Sebastian are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Sebastian is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. San Sebastian 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
    San Sebastian 20°C (68°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and San Sebastian during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the shopping scene.

San Sebastian is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Sebastian 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, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. San Sebastian 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
    San Sebastian 16°C (60°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Sebastian and Sintra-Cascais National Park. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

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

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. San Sebastian 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. San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. San Sebastian 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
    San Sebastian 8°C (47°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to San Sebastian as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches.

In April, San Sebastian is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian 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, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and San Sebastian

San Sebastian 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)