Should you visit Sintra or Costa Vicentina?
Should I visit Sintra or Costa Vicentina? 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.
Costa Vicentina
Costa Vicentina is the beautiful coastal area in southwest Portugal which runs through both the Algarve and Alentejo Regions along the southern coast. This is actually part of the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, making it one of the best places to experience the unadulterated beauty and nature of the country. Costa Vicentina offers miles of some of the best Portugal beaches, fantastic hiking trails, and lovely old villages to explore. The area sees far more Portuguese tourists than international ones, so expect Portuguese to be the only language spoken by many people, especially in the smaller villages.
Which city is cheaper, Costa Vicentina 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 Costa Vicentina is €100. 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 Costa Vicentina 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €106 for a double occupancy room in Costa Vicentina.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Costa Vicentina cost around €27 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €11.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Sintra €34
Costa Vicentina €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
-
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.
The average price of local transportation around Costa Vicentina is €32 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
-
Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra:
$22
-
Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center:
$30
-
Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$25
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Costa Vicentina?
Prices for flights to both Costa Vicentina 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.
Costa Vicentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
-
Sintra Myths and Legends Interactive Centre Admission Ticket:
$4.35
-
Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.42
-
Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket:
$9.95
-
Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.95
-
National Palace of Sintra Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$12
-
Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra:
$15
-
Pena Palace & Chalet of Edla Admission Ticket:
$17
-
National Palace of Sintra Tickets: Skip the line Entry:
$27
-
Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax):
$27
-
Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour:
$30
-
Walking tour in Sintra-visit Regaleira Palace and center city:
$37
-
Mountain Tour + Roca Cape the most western point (2-4persons):
$40
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Costa Vicentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €6.97 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
-
Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour:
$117
-
Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience:
$121
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Costa Vicentina, we can see that Costa Vicentina 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.
Related Articles for Sintra
Related Articles for Costa Vicentina
