Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Lake Garda? 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 €42Lake Garda €42
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Lake Garda €30
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
- Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium: Open Date Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $13
- Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $20
- From San Felice del Benaco: Islands Boat Tour: $27
- Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $27
- Tour in the Winery and tasting: $32
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $42
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $44
- Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione from Garda/Bardolino: $48
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Lake Garda €19
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 Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Sintra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sintra or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
Both Lake Garda and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In Lake Garda, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Lake Garda. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lake Garda. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lake Garda in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Lake Garda. Additionally, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. Sintra is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lake Garda in the Spring?
Both Lake Garda and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Sintra
| Sintra | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 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.