Which place is cheaper, Albufeira or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Albufeira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Albufeira? 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 Albufeira?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Albufeira €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €148. 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 Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Albufeira €74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Albufeira €148
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Albufeira
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Albufeira? 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.
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 Albufeira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Albufeira €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $522
- Ericeira Private Transfer from / to Lisbon: $61
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $28
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $52
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $58
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $74
- Private transfer from Lisbon to Sintra: $87
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $293
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $83
- Tours and Transfers: $90
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Departure): $27
- Private Transfer from Résidence Pierre Vilamoura to Faro (FAO) Airport: $38
- Transfer Silves - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $41
- Private Transfer from Apartamentos Pescadores (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Villa Guerreiro (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Vilas Guerreiro (Olhos de Água) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $48
- Private Faro Airport Transfer from Albufeira (up to 4 passangers): $53
- Transfer Silves - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $56
- Transfer Alcantarilha - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $56
- Private Transfer from Ferreiras to Faro (FAO) Airport: $60
- Transfer Albufeira - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $60
- Transfer Vilamoura - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $72
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
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Food Meals for one daySintra €42Albufeira €48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Portuguese Dinner Party in 17th Century Private Palace: $40
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $216
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
- Algarve Bike and Food Tour with Sea Food and Wine Tasting: $62
- Sunset Safari with Traditional Dinner : $67
- Sunset Tour - Champagne and Traditional Dinner: $72
- 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise with Open Bar: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Albufeira €39
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Self-Guided Tour Explore the Quinta da Regaleira: $1.12
- Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.63
- Sintra Walking Tour - The Portuguese Fairytale: $3.30
- Magical Sintra Village Tour: $3.30
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.81
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.94
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.36
- Sintra Highlights: Quest Experience: $6.07
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.53
- Pena Palace In-App Audio Guided Tour: $7.44
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Silves Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.05
- 1 Hour Historical Guided Boat Tour in Vila Real de Santo Antonio: $21
- Quarteira Town & Gypsy Market Tour with Beach Bliss: $21
- 70 Minutes Guided Old Ruins Walking Tour in Albufeira: $22
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $25
- Albufeira City and Farm Guided Car Tour: $27
- Caves and Coastline Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil: $30
- Private Guided Tuk Tuk Tour with pick-up and drop-off in Albufeira : $31
- Jeep Tour of the City and Coast of Albufeira: $31
- Experience Adrenaline Pack: $32
- Benagil caves's kayak tour: $33
- Algarve Jet Boat Tour from Albufeira: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Albufeira €26
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: $72
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tasting Tour: $83
- Lisbon Wine Tour through Sesimbra, Arrábida and Setúbal: $166
- Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $177
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $184
- Cascais coast Full Day Beach & Wine Tour on a Classic Convertible: $244
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl in Albufeira with Professional Party Makers: $33
- Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $59
- Half Day Safari Tour with Wine Tasting: $59
- Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $69
- Albufeira Coast Tour w/ Wine tasting & Chicken lunch: $75
- Full-Day Private Algarves Wine Tour Experience from Albufeira: $156
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Albufeira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Albufeira?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Albufeira, 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 Albufeira?
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 Sintra or Albufeira in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Albufeira. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Albufeira. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Albufeira averages at about 25°C (78°F).
In July, Sintra usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Albufeira 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Albufeira in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Albufeira. Additionally, many travelers come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Albufeira. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Albufeira fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Albufeira. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Albufeira 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Albufeira in the Winter?
Both Albufeira and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Albufeira in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Albufeira in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Albufeira fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Albufeira 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Albufeira in the Spring?
Both Albufeira and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Albufeira. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Albufeira averages at about 15°C (60°F).
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Albufeira. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Albufeira 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Albufeira and Sintra
| Sintra | Albufeira | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.