Which place is cheaper, Alicante or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Alicante?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Alicante? 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 Alicante?
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.
Alicante
Alicante is a gorgeous coastal city in the Costa Blanca region, on the east coast of Spain. The region is famous for its white sandy beaches, the party-haven of Benidorm and the stunning palm tree-lined boulevard in the city of Alicante. I have been visiting Alicante for close to 20 years, so, it has become almost a second home to me. Here are my top tips to have the best vacation in Alicante.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Alicante €127
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Alicante is €127. 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 Alicante in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Alicante €42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Alicante €84
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Alicante
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Alicante? 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 Alicante Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Alicante -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alicante
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alicante:
- Alicante Airport(ALC) to Alicante City: Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Alicante to Alicante Airport (ALC)- Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer - Alicante Cruise Port to Alicante Airport (ALC): $39
- Private Transfer - Alicante Airport (ALC) to Alicante Cruise Port: $39
- Private Transfer: Alicante Airport (ALC) to Alicante: $47
- Roundtrip Transfer Airport-Hotel in Alicante cars of up to 8 passengers: $55
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Monforte del Cid: $55
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Gran Alacant: $63
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to San Vicente del Raspeig: $63
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Arenales del Sol: $63
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to El Plantio Golf Resort: $63
- Private Transfer from El Plantio Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Alicante?
Prices for flights to both Alicante 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 €42Alicante €72
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alicante
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alicante.
- Secret Flavors Food Tour: $31
- Paella and Sangria Cooking Workshop: $60
- Paella and Sangría Cooking Workshop: $64
- Central Market Guided Food Tour with Tapas Bars: $70
- Alicante Food Tour: $71
- Fuse Spanish With Italian For Dinner In Mutxamel: $89
- Alicante PRIVATE Food Tour With Locals: 10 Food & Drink Tastings Included: $136
- Cooking Class with Private Chef and Local Wine: $176
- Alicante cooking class with a private chef: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Alicante €53
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
- National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
- Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Alicante
Here are a few typical costs in Alicante for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Food and Tapas Tour (for 2)€54
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Catamaran Cruise (for 2)€67
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€120
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Walking Tour (for 2)€60
Tours and Activities in Alicante
Here are a few actual costs in Alicante for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour of Alicante Bullring & Bullfighting Museum with Audioguide: $9.81
- Tour de historias y leyendas del Castillo de Santa Bárbara: $13
- Alicante Discovery Tour from Benidorm: $28
- Seven Secrets of Alicante Discovery Tour: $31
- Alicante Historic Small Group Tour with Tapas Tasting: $32
- Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide : $32
- City. Discover Alicante by E-Bike & walking tour: $32
- Calas and Beaches E-Bike Tour with Snorkeling: $32
- City and Beach Bike Tour: $32
- Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour : $33
- 2-Hour Late Afternoon Catamaran Cruise: $34
- Highlights Bike Tour: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Alicante -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Alicante
Also in Alicante, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Bárbara Castle Wine Tasting with Cold Cuts: $28
- Vineyards of Wine Tasting Tour: $73
- Alicante Wine Tour with Wine Tasting : $74
- Private Tour of Vinalopó Castles and Wine Tasting: $82
- Food Walking Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $144
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas for Foodies: $147
- Total Alicante walking tour, tapas and wine tasting: $267
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Alicante, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Alicante Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Alicante?
Alicante has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Alicante, 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 Alicante?
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 Alicante in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Alicante. Also, many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Alicante. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Alicante averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante 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 Alicante during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives more rain than Alicante. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Alicante 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Alicante in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Alicante. Also, many visitors come to Alicante in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Alicante. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Alicante 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Alicante in the Winter?
Both Alicante and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Alicante in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Alicante fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Sintra usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Alicante. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Alicante 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Alicante in the Spring?
Both Alicante and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches.
In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Alicante. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Alicante averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Alicante. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Alicante 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Alicante and Sintra
| Sintra | Alicante | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 34 mm (1.3 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.