A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Sintra vs. Coimbra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Coimbra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra? 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 Coimbra?

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.

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Sintra?

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 Coimbra is €103. 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 Coimbra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Coimbra 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Coimbra 88
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Coimbra

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Coimbra? 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Coimbra


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 Coimbra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Coimbra 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $74
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $98
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $73
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $111
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $100
  • Transfer Airport Lisboa - Cascais ( round trip): $134
  • Transfer Aeroporto de Lisboa para Sintra: $54
  • Tours and Transfers: $91
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $84
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $296
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Executive Van or Car: $75
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Fátima To Lisboa: $111
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $150
  • Private transfer from Coimbra to Lisbon: $150
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $160
  • Private transfer from/to Fátima - Porto, Braga or Guimarães : $199
  • Private Transfer from Coimbra to Porto Airport: $200

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Coimbra?

Prices for flights to both Coimbra 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Coimbra 48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.

  • Half-Day Ericeira Walking Food Tour: $56
  • Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS : $95
  • Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $95
  • Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Coimbra 18

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 : $66
  • Sintra & Cascais in one day Renault 4L Tour (Full day): $167
  • 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L : $33
  • 1 Hour Private Tuk-Tuk Tour in Sintra: $39
  • 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk : $33
  • 19th Century Photography Experience: $33
  • 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $122
  • 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $167
  • 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour : $78
  • 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $145
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $134
  • 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $112

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.27
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.27
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $4.77
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.55
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.91
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Convent of Christ Tour "Portugal in the Map" - Visit Tomar with a local guide!: $31
  • Mondego River Kayaking Tour: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Coimbra 12

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: $61
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $84
  • Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting (Colares) Half Day: $84
  • Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $94
  • Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $133
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $184
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $240
  • Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour : $268

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $28
  • Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $67
  • Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $178
  • Full-Day Private Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour from Coimbra: $182


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Coimbra, we can see that Sintra 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 Coimbra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Coimbra?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Coimbra, 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 Coimbra?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra in the Summer?

Both Coimbra and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Coimbra. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Coimbra.

Sintra is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Coimbra.

In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra in the Spring?

Both Coimbra and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Coimbra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Coimbra and Sintra

Sintra Coimbra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)