Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Bilbao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Bilbao? 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 Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Bilbao €137
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is €137. 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 Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Bilbao €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Bilbao €144
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Bilbao? 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 Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Bilbao €26
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 Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private One way Airport Transfer Bilbao Airport to from Bilbao: $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
- Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao 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 €42Bilbao €45
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 Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Bilbao €29
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
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $17
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
- Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
- Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Bilbao €21
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 Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
- Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Bilbao?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?
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 Bilbao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Bilbao. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Bilbao 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bilbao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Bilbao. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Bilbao 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bilbao in the Winter?
Both Bilbao and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.
Sintra is a little warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Bilbao 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bilbao in the Spring?
Both Bilbao and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Bilbao 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bilbao and Sintra
| Sintra | Bilbao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.