Which place is cheaper, Granada or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Granada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Granada? 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Granada €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Granada is €123. 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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Granada €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Granada €118
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Granada? 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 Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Granada €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:
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7 Trip Bus Pass€5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Granada Airport(GRX) to Granada City Center: $31
- Private Transfer from Granada City Center to Granada Airport(GRX): $31
- Granada Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $45
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Granada Airport: $50
- Granada Private Transfer from the city centre to Granada Airport: $55
- Private Transfer from Granada Airport to Granada by Luxury van: $76
- Via Ferrata Moclín with Transfers: $80
- Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver: $132
- Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $142
- From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $171
- Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $175
- Private Transfer from Molvízar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $188
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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 €42Granada €37
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 Granada
For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Sangria€2.50
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Sandwich to go€3.00
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Bocadillo & Drink€6.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada
For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $62
- Dinner and Show flamenco in the Albayzin Granada: $62
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- 2-Day Geopark Desert, Ancient Culture and Food Tour: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Granada €28
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 Granada
For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- Sacromonte Caves Museum Admission Ticket: $5.35
- Granada City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Sacromonte Abbey Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $6.42
- Granada Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Granada City Train 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket: $7.49
- Self-Guided City Exploration Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Granada (Alhambra): Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Albaicín and Sacromonte’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Historic Center and Lower Albaicin Walking Tour: $9.62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Granada €24
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 Granada
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:
- Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $77
- BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Granada, we can see that Granada 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 Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Granada?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Granada, 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 Granada?
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 Granada in the Summer?
Both Granada and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 348 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in July than Granada. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Granada 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Granada in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Granada. Furthermore, many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Granada averages at about 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada 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 Granada during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Granada. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Granada receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Granada 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Granada in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Granada. Additionally, many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Granada fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Granada. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 171 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Granada. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Granada receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Granada 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Granada in the Spring?
Both Granada and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 220 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Granada. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Granada receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Granada 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Granada and Sintra
| Sintra | Granada | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.