Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Barcelona €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Barcelona €96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Barcelona €192
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Barcelona €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- One-Way Shared Transfer to/from Airport and City: $9.84
- Roca Village Shopping Mall Transfers: $13
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Center Port : $17
- Transfer departure Shuttle Barcelona City to Barcelona Port: $18
- Barcelona Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Private Transfer: $25
- Transfer arrival Shuttle Barcelona Airport to La Pineda: $27
- Transfer to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona: $27
- Taxi - Cab - Private transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona airport: $28
- Barcelona Private Airport Arrival Transfer to City Cente: $29
- Private Transfer: El-Prat Airport (BCN) to Barcelona City Center: $31
- Book Barcelona City to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $31
- Barcelona Airport Departure Transfers: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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 €42Barcelona €33
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
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Barcelona €33
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 Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $2.14
- History & Legends Comedy Tour: Barcelona Gothic Quarter: $2.94
- Gaudí Free Tour in English: $3.21
- Barcelona Free Tour: Gaudi Highlights and La Sagrada Famila: $3.21
- Alternative Free Tour of the Raval: $3.21
- Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour in English: $3.21
- Gaudí Walking Tour: $3.21
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Barcelona Gothic Quarter: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour: $3.27
- Sagrada Familia Exterior Free Tour: Stories, Secrets & Symbolism: $3.27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Barcelona €17
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 Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?
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 Barcelona in the Summer?
Both Barcelona and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Barcelona in the Autumn?
Both Barcelona and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Barcelona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Barcelona. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In January, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Barcelona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Barcelona. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Sintra is a little warmer than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Sintra
| Sintra | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 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.