Which place is cheaper, Kotor or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Kotor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Kotor? 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 Kotor?
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.
Kotor
A coastal town of Montenegro, Kotor is also a beautifully-preserved fortified, medieval town, featuring a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively piazzas, historic churches, and a spread of bars and restaurants throughout its historic Old Town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Kotor €100
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Kotor is €100. 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 Kotor in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Kotor €49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Kotor €98
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Kotor
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Kotor? 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 Kotor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Kotor €9.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kotor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kotor:
- Tivat hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer from Kotor Cruise Port to Tivat hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Tivat airport to Tivat city or Porto Montenegro: $27
- Private Transfer from Tivat or Porto Montenegro to Tivat airport: $27
- Kotor Cruise Port to Tivat Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Tivat Airport (TIV) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Enjoy Private Transfers by Car or Van from Tivat Airport to Kotor or Budva: $44
- Kotor Cruise Port to Podgorica Airport (TGD) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Kotor Cruise Port to Podgorica Airport(TGD): $47
- Deluxe private transfer from or to Portonovi: $52
- Transfer Tivat Airport - Kotor Old Town (and viceversa): $53
- Transfer Tivat Airport to Kotor old town : $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Kotor?
Prices for flights to both Kotor 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 €42Kotor €43
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 Kotor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kotor.
- Kotor City Tour and Cooking Class : $203
- Kotor private cooking class with lunch and Old town guided tour: $226
- Kotor and Perast Private Tour with Cooking Class and Boat Ride: $262
- Cooking class in a local home & old town walking tour: $306
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Kotor €8.32
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 Kotor
Here are a few actual costs in Kotor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Walking Tour in Kotor : $22
- Kotor Old Town - City Walking Tour: $24
- Kotor Old Town Walking Tour: $24
- Panorama and Semi-Submarine Underwater Experience: $24
- Tour Kotor - Perast Old Town - Island Our Lady of the Rocks - Every 2 hours: $26
- Boat Tour to Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks: $27
- Kotor Old Town Small-Group Walking Tour: $33
- Whole Boka Bay Cruise with Ship Knez Lipovac: $33
- Blue Cave and Lady of the Rocks Boat Tour: $33
- Shore Excursion - Handwoven Carpet Workshop, Local wine and Kotor Old Town tour : $34
- Blue Cave Speedboat Tour from Kotor: $35
- Speedboat tour Kotor Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rock,swiming: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Kotor €8.51
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 Kotor
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kotor:
- Private tour: Homemade food and wine tasting at my family home: $125
- Private National Park Lovcen with food and wine tasting: $136
- Wine tasting and magical tour from Kotor, Budva, Tivat (Lovcen,Skadar lake): $251
- National Parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen+Wine tasting (Private tour): $260
- Skadar Lake National Park with Wine Tasting: $428
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Kotor, 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 Kotor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Kotor?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Kotor, 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 Kotor?
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 Kotor in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Kotor. Also, many travelers come to Kotor for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is cooler than Kotor in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor 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 Kotor during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Kotor. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Kotor 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Kotor in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Kotor. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than Kotor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Kotor averages at about 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kotor. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kotor. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kotor. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Kotor. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Kotor 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Kotor in the Winter?
Both Kotor and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kotor for the cuisine during these months.
In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Kotor during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives less rain than Kotor. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Kotor 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Kotor in the Spring?
Both Kotor and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Kotor in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Kotor. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun.
Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Kotor. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Kotor 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kotor and Sintra
| Sintra | Kotor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 215 mm (8.5 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.