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

Should you visit Sintra or Adeje?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Adeje? 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 Adeje?

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.

Adeje

If you're looking for a luxurious winter getaway - the kind of place where tourists are top of mind - then you'll likely find yourself on Tenerife's coastal region. Located on the northern section of this strip is the city of Costa Adeje. Here you'll find hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants all ready to cater to every tourists wishes. It's the kind of getaway you always thought was reserved for the rich and famous. Now you can enjoy sitting in a beachy lap of luxury.

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 in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Adeje 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 Adeje is €173. 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 Adeje in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Adeje 87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Adeje 174
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Adeje

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Adeje? 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 Adeje


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 Adeje Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Adeje 64

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Adeje?

Prices for flights to both Adeje 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
    Adeje 50

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Adeje 19

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

Tours and Activities in Adeje

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

  • Discover Scuba Diving Experience: $102
  • Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Ifonche Flight Experience: $139
  • Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Performance Flight Experience: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Adeje 8.21

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 Adeje, we can see that Adeje is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra 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 Adeje would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adeje than you might in Sintra.

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


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Adeje?

Adeje has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Adeje, 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 Adeje?

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 Adeje in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Adeje. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Adeje averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Adeje, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Adeje. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adeje receives 268 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in July than Adeje. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Adeje receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Adeje 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Adeje in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Adeje.

In October, Sintra is generally cooler than Adeje. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Adeje fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adeje this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Adeje during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Adeje receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Adeje. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Adeje receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Adeje 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Adeje in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Adeje.

Sintra is much colder than Adeje in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Adeje fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Adeje. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adeje receives 191 hours of full sun.

Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Adeje. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Adeje receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Adeje 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Adeje in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Sintra is cooler than Adeje. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Adeje averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Adeje. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Adeje during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Adeje receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Adeje. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Adeje receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Adeje 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Adeje and Sintra

Sintra Adeje
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)