A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. A Coruna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or A Coruna?

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

Should I visit Sintra or A Coruna? 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: Sintra or A Coruna?

Sintra

Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.

A Coruna

A Coruna is a busy port city located on a promontory of Spain's Galicia region. It is the capital city of a province of the same name, exhibiting a mix of the old and new from an ancient Roman lighthouse to modern apartments known for their glass balconies. Some of the highlights include the variety of architecture both age-old and modern, the old town, several museums, the harbor, and beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, A Coruna or Sintra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in A Coruna is €89. 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 Sintra and A Coruna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    A Coruna 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    A Coruna 102
Compare Hotels in Sintra and A Coruna

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or A Coruna? 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 Sintra


Hotels in A Coruna


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: Sintra Hotel Prices and A Coruna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    A Coruna 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in A Coruna

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

  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago Airport (SCQ): $72
  • Private Transfer from La Coruna Port to Santiago city hotels: $72
  • Transfer from Coruna Airport to Ferrol: $131

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or A Coruna?

Prices for flights to both A Coruna and Sintra 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
    Sintra 42
    A Coruna 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

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

  • Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in A Coruna

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

  • The Great Dinner in A Coruña - Escape urban room: $64
  • Food Market visit and Cooking Workshop in A Coruña: $104
  • 3 Hour Tapas Tasting and Cooking Class in A Coruna: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    A Coruna 9.72

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
  • Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
  • 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
  • 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
  • 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
  • 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
  • 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
  • 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
  • Amazing Sintra tour: $91
  • Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260

Typical Entertainment Prices in A Coruna

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for A Coruna's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Tower of Hercules
    3.00

Tours and Activities in A Coruna

For A Coruna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Group walking tour in Lugo: $1.09
  • A Coruña Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • Guided Tour Lugo: $27
  • Segway Tour Tower of Hercules: $32
  • Essential Walking Tour through the Emblematic Places of Coruña: $32
  • A Coruña boat tour from the sea: $38
  • Private Walking Tour around Coruña with Beer or Wine: $53
  • E-bike Tour La Coruña: $64
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña for Cruisers Only: $75
  • A Coruña Private Walking Tour : $82
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Lugo: $82
  • 2 Hour Private Old Town Walking Tour in La Coruña: $152

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    A Coruna 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:

  • Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $60
  • Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
  • Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
  • Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
  • Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and A Coruna, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is A Coruna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to A Coruna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in A Coruna 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 would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in A Coruna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is A Coruna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or A Coruna?

A Coruna has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and A Coruna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Sintra or A Coruna?

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 Sintra or A Coruna in the Summer?

Both A Coruna and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit.

Sintra is a little warmer than A Coruna in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and A Coruna fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In A Coruna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than A Coruna. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while A Coruna receives 248 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than A Coruna. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    A Coruna 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Sintra or A Coruna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and A Coruna.

In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than A Coruna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and A Coruna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than A Coruna during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while A Coruna receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

A Coruna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than A Coruna. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    A Coruna 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Sintra or A Coruna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as A Coruna.

In January, Sintra is generally a little warmer than A Coruna. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and A Coruna fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than A Coruna. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while A Coruna receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in A Coruna. Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets less rain in January than A Coruna. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    A Coruna 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sintra or A Coruna in the Spring?

Both A Coruna and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Sintra is a little warmer than A Coruna in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and A Coruna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than A Coruna during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while A Coruna receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than A Coruna. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while A Coruna receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    A Coruna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for A Coruna and Sintra

Sintra A Coruna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)