Should you visit Sintra or Evora?
Should I visit Sintra or Evora? 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.
Evora
A medieval time capsule, this city is a collection of ancient relics that leaves a lasting air of enchantment upon you. Evora, Portugal is the seat of the Evora District as well as the capital of the Alentejo region. With a population of no more than 60,000, Evora is a small municipality that holds a treasure trove of culture, art, and history. Evora is known internationally for its preservation of medieval architecture, such as parts of medieval walls that still partially surround the city. Moreover, Evora is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network and because of its multitude of historic sites, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of said historic sites include Se Cathedral, Evora Museum, Roman Temple, Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and the Church of Saint Francis. Besides of its historic beauty, Evora also lives up to the demands of the modern world. According to Expreso, the city was named one of the second most livable cities in Portugal. Evora is also an ambitious and even competitive city, ranked number-one in competitiveness out of the 18 Portuguese capital cities. Whether you look to explore Roman ruins or simply enjoy the current amenities, you will fall under the enchantment that is Evora, Portugal.
Which city is cheaper, Evora 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 Evora is €87. 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 Evora 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 €72 for a double occupancy room in Evora.
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.
While meal prices in Evora can vary, the average travelers spends about €35 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Evora should cost around €14 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Evora is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sintra €34
Evora €35
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.
The average price of local transportation around Evora is €24 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:
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Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra:
$22
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Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center:
$30
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Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Evora
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Evora:
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Transfer Évora - Up to 3 People:
$249
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Transfer Évora - Up to 7 People:
$299
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Evora?
Prices for flights to both Evora 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.
Evora's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €16 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:
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Sintra Myths and Legends Interactive Centre Admission Ticket:
$4.35
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Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.42
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Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket:
$9.95
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Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.95
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National Palace of Sintra Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$12
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Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra:
$15
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Pena Palace & Chalet of Edla Admission Ticket:
$17
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National Palace of Sintra Tickets: Skip the line Entry:
$27
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Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax):
$27
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Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour:
$30
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Walking tour in Sintra-visit Regaleira Palace and center city:
$37
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Mountain Tour + Roca Cape the most western point (2-4persons):
$40
Tours and Activities in Evora
Here are a few actual costs in Evora for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Evora Freedom: Self-Drive Private City Tour in E-Cars:
$12
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Walking Tour - Évora Stories:
$25
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Evora Historic Center: Self-Drive Private City Tour in E-cars:
$40
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Evora Megalithic: Self-Drive Private Tour in E-Cars:
$40
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Winery Tour from Évora:
$50
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Évora With Love Walking Tours:
$62
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Évora and Monsaraz: 8-hour Private Tour:
$67
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Lisbon: Full-Day Private Tour to Evora and Arraiolos:
$74
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Portuguese Heritage Guided Day Tour from Évora:
$97
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Olive Oil Farm Tour:
$100
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From Lisbon: Full Day Évora Tour with Lunch:
$106
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Évora With Love Private Group Tours:
$187
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 Evora may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Evora
Also in Evora, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Full-Day Évora Wine Tour from Lisbon:
$90
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Évora Private Tour with Alentejo Wine Tasting:
$139
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Evora, 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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