Which place is cheaper, Lagos or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Lagos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Lagos? 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 Lagos?
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.
Lagos
A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Lagos €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Lagos is €118. 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 Lagos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Lagos €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Lagos €122
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Lagos
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Lagos? 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 Lagos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Lagos €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $511
- 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: $85
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $108
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $107
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:
- Transfer Burgau - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $54
- Transfer Praia da Luz - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $58
- Car or Van Departure Transfer Meia Praia or Lagos to Faro Airport: $77
- Private Transfer from Praia da Luz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
- Private Transfer from Gil Eannes Square to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
- Private Transfer from Santa Maria (Lagos) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer to/from Monchique or Lagos: $102
- Private Transfer to Faro Airport (60 min): $107
- Faro Airport to/from Lagos/Private Transfer max 4 passengers: $117
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer With Options To or From Lagos: $128
- Private Transfer from Budens to Faro (FAO) Airport: $129
- Private Transfer from Faro Airport Up to 8 passengers: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Lagos?
Prices for flights to both Lagos 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 €42Lagos €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Half-Day Ericeira Walking Food Tour: $54
- Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $92
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lagos.
- Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $97
- Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine : $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Lagos €26
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: $3.73
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.27
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.40
- Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.69
- Sintra City Self Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (No Ticket): $11
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $12
- Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket: $13
- Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
- National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $15
Tours and Activities in Lagos
Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lagos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Guided Walking Tour with Brodie from Australia: $16
- Ponta da Piedade Rock Formations Guided Boat Tour: $19
- Tour to go inside the Ponta da Piedade Caves/Grottos and see the beaches - Lagos: $20
- Lagos Street Art: In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
- In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
- Boat Tours: $27
- Ponta da Piedade Grotto Tour in Lagos, Algarve: $27
- Coast Cruise Trip to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos: $29
- NATURA TOUR - Countryside of Lagos - ECO TUK and LOCAL guide: $29
- TUK TUK Tour Lagos Old& New Town& Beaches- Best way to know: $31
- TUK TUK Tour around Lagos Old & New Town & beaches - Best way to know Lagos: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Lagos €6.79
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: $70
- Wine Tasting Tour: $81
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $81
- Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $180
- From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $233
Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:
- Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas: $43
- Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Lagos: $65
- Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $86
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Lagos, we can see that Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Lagos?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Lagos, 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 Lagos?
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 Lagos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Lagos. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Lagos in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lagos fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Lagos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Lagos. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Lagos 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lagos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Lagos. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year.
In the autumn, Sintra is cooler than Lagos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Lagos averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Lagos. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Lagos. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Lagos 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lagos in the Winter?
Both Lagos and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally much colder than Lagos. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Lagos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Lagos. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Lagos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lagos in the Spring?
Both Lagos and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lagos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Sintra is much colder than Lagos in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Lagos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Lagos. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Lagos 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Lagos and Sintra
| Sintra | Lagos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 316 mm (12.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.