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

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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.

Which city is cheaper, Faro 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 Faro is €107. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sintra and Faro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra €45
    Faro €60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra €90
    Faro €120
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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Faro


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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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra €17
    Faro €7.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Half-Day Sintra Tour from Lisbon with Transfers: $169
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $51
  • To/ From Lisbon Airport: Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center: $30
  • Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport: $25
  • Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra: $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro

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

  • Faro Airport Transfer Service: $3.72
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Faro Airport to Algarve Hotels: $8.62
  • Faro Shared Transfer to Vilamoura: $11
  • Faro Private Transfer: To or From the Airport: $11
  • Private Arrival Transfer Faro Airport to Faro City: $11
  • Private Departure Transfer from Faro City to Faro Airport: $11
  • Faro Shared Arrival Transfer to Albufeira: $14
  • Faro Private Transfer to Vilamoura: $15
  • Faro Shared Arrival Transfer to Armação de Pêra: $16
  • Faro Private Transfer to Albufeira: $16
  • Private Airport Transfer: Faro Airport (FAO) to Faro: $17
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Faro to Faro Airport (FAO): $17

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra €34
    Faro €29

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
  • Lisbon: Sintra Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Scenic Drive: $148

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra €18
    Faro €7.53

Tours and Activities in Sintra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:

  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To ALGARVE Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA: $485
  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA: $373
  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON: $261
  • 2 Tours Private/Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 LISBON: $373
  • 2H Sintra Tour by Tuk Tuk: $149
  • 3 Tours Private/Day 1 LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON to FÁTIMA Day 3 LISBON: $498
  • Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car: $56
  • Cabo da Roca and Praia da Ursa Half Day Tour - IncrediblePortugal Private Tours: $92
  • Cascais & Sintra Tour in electric car: $224
  • Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour: $30
  • ECO FRIENDLY TOUR - The Unknown Side of Sintra: $71
  • Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax): $27

Tours and Activities in Faro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.

  • Horse Experience For Children: Lead Rein Riding: $3.72
  • Hop On Hop Off City Tour by Tourist Train: $6.84
  • Albufeira: MiniGolf Adventure Park Entry Ticket: $11
  • Birds and Nature Catamaran Tour from Faro: $19
  • Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa: $32
  • Ria Formosa National Park Boat Tour: $34
  • From 2-Island, 2-Stop Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour: $34
  • Ria Formosa Natural Park Boat Cruise from Faro: $37
  • Birdwatching Boat Tour in Ria Formosa: $38
  • Small-Group Tour in Faro Islands: $40
  • From 4 Islands, 4 Stops in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour: $40
  • Private Speed Boat Tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra €14
    Faro €2.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:

  • From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting: $91
  • Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour: $117
  • Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience: $121
  • Full-Day Tour from Lisbon with Wine Tasting: $237

Sample the Local Flavors in Faro

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:

  • Traditional Portuguese Guitar performance with Exhibition Museum & Wine Tasting: $21

About these numbers

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.


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 temperature in Sintra is usually 23°C (73°F) in July, and Faro stays 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 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 are around 19°C (66°F), and Faro is 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 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. Temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Faro stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 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 temperature in Sintra is usually 16°C (60°F) in April, and Faro stays 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 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)


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Sintra vs. Faro Travel Comparison

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