Which place is cheaper, Hvar or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Hvar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Hvar? 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 Hvar?
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.
Hvar
Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.
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 in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Hvar €102
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Hvar is €102. 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 Hvar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Hvar €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Hvar €76
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Hvar
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Hvar? 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 Hvar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Hvar €47
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 Hvar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:
- Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $535
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Hvar?
Prices for flights to both Hvar 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 €42Hvar €38
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 Hvar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hvar.
- Hvar Charming Abandoned Village Small Group Tour and Local Dinner: $180
- Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $187
- Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $202
- Hvar Abandoned Village Tour with Local Dinner: $214
- Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner: $234
- Food Tour: Traditional Flavours and Food Sampling on Hvar: $262
- The Best of Hvar in a Day with Wine tasting and Local Dinner: $273
- Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Hvar €7.48
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 Hvar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:
- 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $22
- 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $23
- Private Multi-Activity Experience in Adventure Park Hvar Jelsa: $25
- Walking tour of Hvar with your local guide: $32
- Pakleni Islands Self-Guided Kayaking Tour: $48
- Private Half-Day Kayak Experience in Hvar and Pakleni Islands: $49
- Half-day kayak tour from Hvar town: $65
- Hvar Island Self-Guided E-Bike Tour: $65
- Private Hvar Island E-Bike Tour: $68
- Romantic Sunset Sailing Experience On A Comfort Yacht: $70
- Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on a modern 36ft (11m) sail yacht | Hvar: $71
- Private Hvar Walking Tour: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Hvar €9.18
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 Hvar
Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $118
- Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
- Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $142
- Wine Tasting Tour: $157
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Hvar: $175
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Hvar, we can see that Sintra 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 Hvar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Hvar?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Hvar, 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 Hvar?
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 Hvar in the Summer?
Both Hvar and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sintra is cooler than Hvar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Hvar averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Hvar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Hvar. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Hvar 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Hvar in the Autumn?
Both Hvar and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Hvar. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Hvar. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Hvar 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Hvar in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Hvar. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Hvar in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Hvar during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Hvar. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Hvar 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Hvar in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Hvar. Additionally, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Hvar averages at about 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Hvar. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hvar. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Hvar 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Hvar and Sintra
| Sintra | Hvar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.