Which place is cheaper, Albufeira or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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?.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) |