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

Should you visit Sintra or Gijon?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Gijon? 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 Gijon?

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.

Gijon

Gijon is a coastal city of the Asturias Principality of Spain. Known for its Roman past, museums, sculptures, and architecture, visitors have many opportunities to learn about Gijon's cultural and historic past. Given its location by the sea, the city is also skirted by a few nice beaches for a more leisurely getaway.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Gijon 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 Gijon is €119. 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 Gijon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Gijon 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Gijon 160
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Gijon

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Gijon? 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 Gijon


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Gijon 9.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gijon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gijon:

  • Private Transfer from Gijon Cruise Port to Asturias Airport (OVD): $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Gijon?

Prices for flights to both Gijon 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
    Gijon 31

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

Typical Food Prices in Gijon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gijon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Gijon 12

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
  • Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
  • Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
  • National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
  • National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
  • Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18

Tours and Activities in Gijon

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

  • Gijón Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Experience: $8.95
  • Hiking Experience in Asturias, from Gijón or Oviedo: $93
  • Classic romantic walking tour in Gijon: $192
  • Fascinating Memories of the Gijon Walking Tour: $208
  • Full-Day Cudillero and Luarca Private Tour from Gijon: $286
  • Private Tour of Gijon City and Villaviciosa : $287
  • Private Cultural Tour of Oviedo with Pickup: $297

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Gijon 14

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


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Gijon, we can see that Gijon 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 Gijon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Gijon?

Gijon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Gijon, 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 Gijon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sintra or Gijon in the Summer?

Both Gijon and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Gijon. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Gijon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 203 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Gijon. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Gijon 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Gijon in the Autumn?

Both Gijon and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Sintra is a little warmer than Gijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Gijon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 138 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Gijon. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Gijon 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Gijon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Gijon.

In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Gijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Gijon averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

Gijon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Gijon. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Gijon 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Gijon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Gijon.

In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Gijon. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 143 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Gijon. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Gijon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Gijon and Sintra

Sintra Gijon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)