Should you visit Sintra or Albufeira?
Should I visit Sintra or Albufeira? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Albufeira
Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.
Which city is cheaper, Albufeira or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €92, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €118. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sintra and Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €45. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sintra the cost is €90 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €59. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Albufeira the cost is €118 on average.
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Sintra is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €17 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sintra.
The average price of local transportation around Albufeira is €27 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
-
Half-Day Sintra Tour from Lisbon with Transfers:
$169
-
Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer:
$51
-
Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra:
$22
-
Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center:
$30
-
Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$25
-
To/ From Lisbon Airport: Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer:
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
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Albufeira Shared Departure Transfer to Faro:
$14
-
Albufeira Private Transfer to Faro:
$16
-
Transfer Albufeira - Balaia Golf (Albufeira):
$19
-
Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Departure):
$22
-
Faro Shared Transfer to or from Albufeira:
$22
-
Private Faro Airport Transfer to Albufeira (up to 4 passangers):
$34
-
Transfer Galé - Balaia Golf (Albufeira):
$36
-
Transfer Albufeira to Faro Airport:
$36
-
Departure Transfer Albufeira or Açoteias to Faro Airport FAO by Private Vehicle:
$38
-
Stork Transfers - Private Transfer From Albufeira to Faro Airport (up to 4 pax):
$41
-
Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Albufeira & Olhos De Água:
$43
-
Private Faro Airport Transfer to Albufeira (5 to 8 passangers):
$51
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Albufeira?
Prices for flights to both Albufeira 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
The average traveler spends about €34 per day in Sintra for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about €38 per day in Albufeira for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Sintra €34
Albufeira €38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
-
Sintra Walking Food Tour:
$60
-
Lisbon: Sintra Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Scenic Drive:
$148
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Sintra typically cost an average of €18 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Albufeira's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
-
Sintra Myths and Legends Interactive Centre Admission Ticket:
$4.35
-
Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.13
-
Sightseeing Train Tour:
$9.13
-
Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket:
$9.13
-
Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket:
$9.95
-
Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.95
-
Queluz National Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$11
-
National Palace of Sintra Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$12
-
Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra:
$15
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Pena Palace & Chalet of Edla Admission Ticket:
$17
-
Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax):
$27
-
National Palace of Sintra Tickets: Skip the line Entry:
$27
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Lagos & Sagres Guided Bus Tour:
$25
-
Albufeira Beach Tour:
$25
-
Pirate Ship Cruise along the Algarve Coast:
$27
-
'Leaozinho' Pirate Ship Cruise from Albufeira:
$30
-
1.5 Hour Quad Off-Road Tour from Albufeira:
$31
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2.5-Hour Dolphin Watching and Caves Cruise:
$31
-
Dolphins, Benagil Caves and Coastline Boat Tour:
$33
-
Private Guided Tuk Tuk Tour with pick-up and drop-off in Albufeira:
$33
-
From 2.5-Hour Dolphin and Sea Caves Boat Tour:
$34
-
Algarve Kayak and Coastline Tour:
$34
-
Abulferia: 3-Hour Yacht Cruise to Benagil:
$34
-
Kayaking Tour With Optional Beach BBQ:
$34
Alcohol
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Sintra per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Albufeira may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
-
From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting:
$91
-
Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour:
$117
-
Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience:
$121
-
Full-Day Tour from Lisbon with Wine Tasting:
$237
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira:
$61
-
sunset wine tasting from Albufeira:
$87
-
Half Day Small Group Premium Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$93
-
Wine Tour & Walking 7 Hanging Valleys - Coast Algarve:
$156
-
From Algarve: Medieval Évora with Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$319
-
Algarve Art and Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$653
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Albufeira, we can see that Albufeira 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 Albufeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Albufeira than you might in Sintra.
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