Which place is cheaper, Faro or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Faro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Faro? 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 Faro?
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.
Faro
Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Faro €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Faro is €133. 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 Faro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Faro €75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Faro €150
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Faro
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Faro? 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 Faro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Faro €9.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $522
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $293
- Tours and Transfers: $90
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $87
- Private transfer from Lisbon to Sintra: $87
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $83
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $74
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $72
- Ericeira Private Transfer from / to Lisbon: $61
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $58
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro
Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon Oriente Station: Transfer to/from Faro City Center: $4.30
- Faro Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Faro City Centre: $5.44
- Shared Departure Transfer: Algarve Hotels to Faro Airport: $13
- Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Portimão: $14
- Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Lagos: $17
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Quarteira & Vilamoura: $20
- Faro Airport: Private transfer to Vilamoura & Quarteira: $20
- Private Transfer from Faro (FAO) Airport to Faro City: $26
- Private Transfer: Faro to Faro International Airport (FAO): $29
- Transfer from Faro airport to Almancil: $30
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Santa Brabara/Olhão: $30
- Private Transfer from Faro (FAO) Airport to Quarteira: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Faro?
Prices for flights to both Faro 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 €42Faro €36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Portuguese Dinner Party in 17th Century Private Palace: $40
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $216
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro
For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hours Classic Food Tour in Faro: $99
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience in Algarve: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Faro €9.41
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Lisbon cruise on a classic Cadillac & private boat tour: $266
- Sintra & Cascais in one day Renault 4L Tour (Full day): $144
- "Exclusive Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais Private Tour": $131
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $120
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $155
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $174
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $155
- 7 Hours Mystic Walking Tour: $111
- All Sintra Palaces Tour (Pena-Montserrate-Regaleira-etc): $130
- Amazing Sintra tour: $93
- Cascais Half Day Beach &WineTour on Classic american Convertible: $266
- Climbing Experience in Sintra: $77
Tours and Activities in Faro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.94
- Guimarães Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.94
- Lagos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.94
- Tavira Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $8.05
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.05
- Algarve Life Sciences Center Museum Family Ticket: $13
- Parque da Mina Entrance Ticket: $14
- Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop: $18
- Eco Boat Tour in the Ria Formosa Lagoon from Faro: $22
- 1 or 2 Hour Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa: $27
- Sunset Boat Trip of Ria Formosa: an Eco-friendly Tour out from Faro: $28
- 2 Hours Boat Tour in Ria Formosa: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Faro €3.13
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: $72
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tasting Tour: $83
- Lisbon Wine Tour through Sesimbra, Arrábida and Setúbal: $166
- Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $177
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $184
- Cascais coast Full Day Beach & Wine Tour on a Classic Convertible: $244
Sample the Local Flavors in Faro
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:
- Tour & Wine tasting - Authentic Algarve Flavours by Quinta da Tôr: $19
- Portuguese Wine Tasting in the heart of Faro: $77
- Discover Tavira - Tapas and Wine Tour: $83
- Faro City Portuguese Wine Tasting and Tapas Guided Tour: $107
- Faro City Portuguese Wine Tasting and Tapas Guided Tour: $109
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Faro, we can see that Faro 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 Faro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Faro?
Faro has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Faro, 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 Faro?
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 Faro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Faro. Also, many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Faro in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. 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 Faro. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Faro 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Faro in the Autumn?
Both Faro and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Faro averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Faro. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Faro 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Faro in the Winter?
Both Faro and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Faro. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Faro. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Faro. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Faro 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Faro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Faro. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Faro in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro 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 Faro during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Faro. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Faro 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Faro and Sintra
| Sintra | Faro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.