Should you visit Sintra or Coimbra?
Should I visit Sintra or Coimbra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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 city 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 €92, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is €82. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sintra and Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €45. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sintra the cost is €90 on average.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €70 in Coimbra For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about €34 per day in Sintra for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in Coimbra costs travelers about €38 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sintra €34
Coimbra €38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
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Sintra Walking Food Tour:
$60
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Sintra is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €17 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sintra.
Coimbra's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €8.58 per person, per day on transportation in Coimbra.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
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Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$25
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Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center:
$30
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Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra:
$22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Porto Private Transfer to or from Coimbra:
$71
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Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Coimbra:
$108
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Transfer Porto visiting Aveiro:
$121
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Private transfer from Coimbra to Lisbon:
$126
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Transfer Lisbon visiting Fátima Sanctuary:
$136
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Private Transfer From Coimbra To Lisbon Stops in Batalha Fátima Tomar Alcobaça:
$280
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Transfer Coimbra/Figueira da Foz/Buçaco - Up to 3 People:
$373
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Transfer Coimbra/Figueira da Foz/Buçaco - Up to 7 People:
$460
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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Sintra typically cost an average of €18 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Coimbra can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To ALGARVE Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA:
$485
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA:
$373
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON:
$261
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2 Tours Private/Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 LISBON:
$373
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2H Sintra Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$149
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3 Tours Private/Day 1 LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON to FÁTIMA Day 3 LISBON:
$498
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Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car:
$56
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Cabo da Roca and Praia da Ursa Half Day Tour - IncrediblePortugal Private Tours:
$92
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Cascais & Sintra Tour in electric car:
$224
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Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour:
$30
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ECO FRIENDLY TOUR - The Unknown Side of Sintra:
$71
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Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax):
$27
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Bôa Vista | Secret Palace - Fado & Drinks Experience:
$15
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Coimbra Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$16
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Coimbra Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and Mondego Cruise:
$19
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Coimbra Exclusive Walking Tour:
$20
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Coimbra's Historical Highlights Tour:
$25
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Coimbra Experience Walking Tour:
$25
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Bussaco Forest Walking Experience:
$44
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Joanina Library & University Tour of Coimbra (VIP access!):
$50
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Lousa Mountain Half Day Private Tour:
$56
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Jewish History of Coimbra Tour:
$58
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Conimbriga and The Roman Tour:
$62
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Lousã Schist Villages Halfday Tour:
$83
Alcohol
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Sintra per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Coimbra spend on average €9.86 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
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Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour:
$117
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Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience:
$121
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.
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