Which place is cheaper, Chefchaouen or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Chefchaouen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Chefchaouen? 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 Chefchaouen?
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.
Chefchaouen
To feel like you've really stepped back in time to the glory days of Morocco, you're going to want to spend time in Chefchaouen. This town's beautiful medina is filled with white washed buildings with blue highlights. The wandering alleyways provide a fairy tale setting where you can relax for a few days. This mountainous region is a humble example of the classic picture of this area. Set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the white and powder blue accented buildings and call to calls to prayer throughout the day let every visitor know they've arrived in a relaxing spot of peace and serenity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Chefchaouen €54
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Chefchaouen is €54. 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 Chefchaouen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Chefchaouen €23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Chefchaouen €46
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Chefchaouen
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Chefchaouen? 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 Chefchaouen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Chefchaouen €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chefchaouen
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chefchaouen:
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Taxi Ride€0.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chefchaouen
Also for Chefchaouen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fes : $23
- One-Way Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fes: $27
- Fes: One-Way Transfer to Chefchaouen "The Blue City": $27
- Vice versa transfer to chefchaouen with optional tour guide: $64
- Transfer Private From Chefchaouen To Tangier: $74
- From Fes:2-Day Transfers to Chefchaouen & back to Fez/Tanger: $75
- Tangier to Chefchaouen private transfer: $82
- Private Transfers from Chefchaouen to Fez (one way): $99
- transfers from Chefchaouen to Fez (Door to Door): $107
- Transfer to/from Tangier and Chefchaouen: $113
- One way transfer Chefchaouen to Fes or vice versa: $116
- Chefchaouen to Tangier private transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Chefchaouen?
Prices for flights to both Chefchaouen 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 €42Chefchaouen €17
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 Chefchaouen
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chefchaouen:
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Lunch for Two€8.41
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Dinner for Two€9.34
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Cupcake€0.28
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Nutella and Yogurt€1.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chefchaouen
For Chefchaouen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Funny Family Cooking Class in Blue City: $28
- Cooking Class in Mountain From Chefchaouen: $44
- 3-Hour Cooking Class overlooking the Blue City: $55
- 4 hours Private Cooking Class With Family in Chefchaouen: $60
- Chefchaouen Food Tour: $66
- Chefchaouen Food Tour: $68
- Guided Food Tour with over 6 Tasting Stops: $69
- Discovery more Chefchaouen evening food tour with locals: $70
- Make Your Own Tajine and Pastilla Cooking Class: $76
- Discovery more Chefchaouen evening food tour with locals: $90
- Private Tagine Cooking Class in Chefchaouen with Lunch: $100
- Chaouen: 4- Hour Moroccan Cooking Class: $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Chefchaouen €16
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
- Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260
Tours and Activities in Chefchaouen
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chefchaouen.
- Walking Tour in Chefchaouen: $14
- Chefchaouen with Local Eyes Guided Walking Tour: $15
- Tour by local guide : $16
- Chefchaouen tour guide: $22
- From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouenf: $26
- From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen: $28
- Day Tour to Chefchaouen from Fes with Local Expert: $28
- Best Experience Fes to Chefchaouen Day Tour multi languages: $34
- From Fez: Chefchaouen Guided Day Tour: $35
- Discover Chefchaouen : A Walking Tour through Hidden Gems: $35
- Discover the Blue Pearl - A Walking Tour through Hidden Gems: $38
- Private walking tour of Chefchaouen (The blue city): $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Chefchaouen €13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Chefchaouen, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Chefchaouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sintra is in Europe and Chefchaouen is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chefchaouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chefchaouen 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Chefchaouen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Chefchaouen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Chefchaouen?
Chefchaouen has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Chefchaouen, 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 Chefchaouen?
Sintra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chefchaouen experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sintra or Chefchaouen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Chefchaouen. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chefchaouen throughout the year.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chefchaouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chefchaouen receives 346 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in July than Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Chefchaouen 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Chefchaouen in the Autumn?
Both Chefchaouen and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Chefchaouen because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Chefchaouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Chefchaouen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives less sunshine than Chefchaouen during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Chefchaouen receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Chefchaouen 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Chefchaouen in the Winter?
Both Chefchaouen and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chefchaouen year-round.
In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Chefchaouen averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chefchaouen receives 169 hours of full sun.
Chefchaouen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets less rain in January than Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Chefchaouen 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Chefchaouen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chefchaouen 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 Chefchaouen during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Chefchaouen receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Chefchaouen. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Chefchaouen 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Chefchaouen and Sintra
| Sintra | Chefchaouen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 144 mm (5.7 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.