Which place is cheaper, Imperia or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Imperia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Imperia? 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 Imperia?
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.
Imperia
Located in the region of Liguria, Imperia is a coastal city on Italy's northwest shoreline. Formed in 1923 by Mussolini with the combining of two major ports and several villages, Imperia today exists as a popular summer destination for visitors. It is known for its cultivation of flowers and olives as well as number of historic churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Imperia €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Imperia is €108. 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 Imperia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Imperia €51
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Imperia €102
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Imperia
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Imperia? 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 Imperia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Imperia €36
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Imperia?
Prices for flights to both Imperia 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 daySintra €42Imperia €35
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Imperia €13
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 Imperia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Imperia are as follows:
- Imperia - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $428
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Imperia €7.50
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 Imperia, 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 Imperia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Imperia?
Imperia has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Imperia, 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 Imperia?
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 Imperia in the Summer?
Both Imperia and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Imperia. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Imperia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Imperia during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Imperia. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Imperia 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Imperia in the Autumn?
Both Imperia and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Imperia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Imperia. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Imperia. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Imperia 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Imperia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Imperia. Furthermore, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Imperia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Imperia averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Imperia during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 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 Imperia. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Imperia 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Imperia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Imperia. Additionally, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Imperia. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 15°C (58°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 Imperia. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Imperia. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Imperia 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Imperia and Sintra
| Sintra | Imperia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.