A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Genoa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Genoa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Genoa? 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 Genoa?

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.

Genoa

Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Genoa or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Genoa is €150. 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 Genoa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Genoa 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Genoa 176
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Genoa

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Genoa? 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 Genoa


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 Genoa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Genoa 8.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa

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

  • Private Transfer from Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa hotels: $26
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Genoa to Genoa Airport (GOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer from Genoa Airport GOA to Santa Margherita Port: $44
  • Departure Private Transfer Genoa, Savona or Portofino to GOA Airport by Sedan: $44
  • Private Transfer Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa, Savona or Portofino by Business Car: $44
  • Private Transfer from Genoa Airport(GOA) to Portofino Cruise Port: $49
  • Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Genoa Airport to Savona Cruise Port Private Arrival Transfer: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Genoa?

Prices for flights to both Genoa 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 42
    Genoa 51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.

  • Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa

For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
  • Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
  • Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
  • Street Food Tour: $84
  • Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
  • Traditional Food Tour: $91
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
  • Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
  • Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
  • Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
  • Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Genoa 20

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
  • Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
  • 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
  • 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
  • 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
  • 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
  • 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
  • 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
  • Amazing Sintra tour: $91
  • Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260

Tours and Activities in Genoa

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.45
  • Lighthouse Entrance Ticket: $8.56
  • Finance and Nobility Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Finance and Nobility: Explore medieval Genoa on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus' House: $11
  • The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket: $13
  • Historic Shops in Tour Through Tradition and Flavours: $15
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Genoa 10

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: $60
  • Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
  • Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
  • Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
  • Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235

Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:

  • Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
  • 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
  • CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $125


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa than you might in Sintra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Genoa, 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 Genoa?

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 Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Genoa. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Genoa. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Genoa 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sintra is around the same temperature as Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Genoa. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Genoa 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Genoa 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Genoa. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Genoa 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Genoa and Sintra

Sintra Genoa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)