A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Sintra vs. Albufeira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place 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 €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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Albufeira 74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Albufeira 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Albufeira


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Albufeira 34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $444
  • 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
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Executive Van or Car: $74
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $83
  • Transfer Aeroporto de Lisboa para Sintra: $54
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $100
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $111
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:

  • Transfer Albufeira - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $18
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Departure): $27
  • Departure Transfer Vilamoura or Qta do Lago to Faro Airport FAO Private Vehicle: $29
  • Transfer Vilamoura - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $30
  • Private Transfer from Quarteira to Faro (FAO) Airport: $34
  • Transfer Alcantarilha - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $34
  • Departure Transfer Albufeira or Açoteias to Faro Airport FAO by Private Vehicle: $35
  • Transfer Galé - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $35
  • Private Transfer from Vilamoura to Faro (FAO) Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Résidence Pierre Vilamoura to Faro (FAO) Airport: $38
  • Transfer Silves - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $41
  • Transfer Quarteira - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $42

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Albufeira 48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

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

  • Half-Day Ericeira Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS : $94
  • Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira

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

  • A Portuguese Dinner and Cocktail Experience: $50
  • Dinner at the Vineyards in Lagoa: $61
  • Algarve Bike and Food Tour with Sea Food and Wine Tasting: $62
  • Sunset Safari with Traditional Dinner : $67
  • 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise from Albufeira: $75
  • Sunset Tour - Champagne and Traditional Dinner: $77
  • Half-Day-Orange Picking &Jam Cooking/Lunch with the Orange Farmer: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Albufeira 39

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • Sintra Walking Tour Experience: $0.16
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.81
  • Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.36
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.53
  • Biester Palace and Park Entry Ticket: $7.62
  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.91
  • Cascais Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $11
  • Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket: $13
  • Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
  • National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
  • 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:

  • From Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.90
  • Inflatable Waterpark Entry Ticket: $7.77
  • Silves Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Castro Verde Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Algarve Wines Tasting Shared Experience at Mercado Municipal de Silves: $17
  • Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $19
  • Authentic Algarve: Loulé Town Tour and Markets: $21
  • Quarteira Town & Gypsy Market Tour with Beach Bliss: $21
  • Albufeira History Walking Tour with Snacks: $21
  • Albufeira Old Town: In-App Adventure Hunt: $22
  • Albufeira The Strip: In-App Adventure Hunt: $22
  • 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Albufeira 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: $61
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $83
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $184
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $239

Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira

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

  • Sunset Wine Tasting With BBQ in Porches: $50
  • Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience in Porches (Algarve): $50
  • Porches Algarve Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $54
  • 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 Tasting Tour from Albufeira: $69
  • Wine Tour and Tasting - Semi-Private from Albufeira: $72
  • Albufeira Coast Tour w/ Wine tasting & Chicken lunch: $75
  • Albufeira Coast Tour with Wine Tasting and Chicken PiriPiri Lunch: $77
  • full day Wine Tour from Albufeira: $95
  • Lagos and Ponta Da Piedade Private Tour & Algarvian Wine Tasting: $109


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 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)