Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sintra or Heidelberg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg?
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.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
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 Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesHeidelberg Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Heidelberg €169
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is €169. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Heidelberg €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Heidelberg €186
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Heidelberg
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Heidelberg €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $299
- Transfer From Lisboa To Faro Algarve: $299
- Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $269
- Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
- Transfer From Lisboa to Nazaré: $132
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $119
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $107
- Tours and Transfers: $98
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $89
- Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
- Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $66
- Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Badenweiler to Basel Airport (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $167
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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 €73Heidelberg €65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Lisbon Countryside Food Tour on Vintage Car: $103
- Boho Chic Picnic Dinner with Water Views: $109
- DINNER OR TAPAS in a Poruguese Home : $113
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience: $120
- Pastel de Nata or Portuguese Cooking Class in Sintra with Locals: $140
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Frauenbad Magic Dinner with Chris Stark (DE & EN): $155
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $762
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Heidelberg €11
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Self Guided Tour Sintra & Cabo da Roca : $57
- 19th Century Photography Experience: $48
- 2 Hours Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Sintra: $78
- 4 hour tour | Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca: $66
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $167
- Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Boat tour: charming Cascais Coast to Lisbon lighthouse: $57
- Cascais Coastal EBike Tour: $66
- Cascais Coastal Secrets 90 Minute Cruise with Free Wine and Beer: $57
- Cascais Electric Bike Tour Self-Guided Half-Day Experience: $72
- Cascais to Lisbon Sunset Cruise with Open Bar: $57
- Cascais: Glamour and Decay by The Lisbon Coastline - Private Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.71
- Heidelberg Secrets Quest: Self-Guided Old Town Adventure: $5.95
- Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.40
- Heidelberg Interactive City Tour: $8.35
- Walking Tour of the Old Town: $15
- Night Watchman Historic Adventure Tour: $16
- Entertaining Guided Tour to Old Town Highlights: $16
- Guided tour of Heidelberg: $17
- Tour through Heidelberg in the footsteps of the night watchmen: $17
- Old Town and Christmas Market Walking Tour: $18
- Experience our history 1.5-hour walking tour through the old town: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Heidelberg €17
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: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour: $89
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $90
- From Sintra, Mafra, or Ericeira: Hike and Wine Tour: $100
- Lisbon Region Wine Tour: Mafra & Ericeira + Hotel Pick-Up: $197
- PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $233
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $316
Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Pub crawl through the old town, drinks included: $41
- Private pub crawl with insider-guide & shots: $334
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Heidelberg?
Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Heidelberg. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Heidelberg in the Autumn?
Both Heidelberg and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
Sintra is much warmer than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Heidelberg in the Winter?
Both Heidelberg and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Heidelberg in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Heidelberg. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Sintra
| Sintra | Heidelberg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.