Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Lisbon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon?
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.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 €115Lisbon €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is €131. 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 Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Lisbon €58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Lisbon €116
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Lisbon €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $72
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $107
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $108
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $511
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
- Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
- Lisbon Private Departure Transfer to Airport, Train or Port: $14
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $14
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
- Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
- Lisbon Cruise Port Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport: $18
- Private transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $20
- Private transfer from Lisbon City Center to Lisbon Airport (LIS): $20
- Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
- Lisbon Private Transfer to Airport: $21
- Private Transfer Within City Center & Airport: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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 €42Lisbon €42
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
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Wine Tasting Apéritif - 1 Hour Guided Wine Tasting Before Dinner: $21
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $54
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Lisbon €24
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: $156
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L : $27
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $147
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $295
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour : $65
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $295
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $109
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car or Electric jeep: $92
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.06
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.27
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $4.26
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $4.48
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.81
- Walking Tour History and Culture in Lisbon: $4.91
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.32
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.32
- Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.32
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.32
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Lisbon €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: $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 Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43
- Non-Alcoholic Wine Tasting with an Expert: $49
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Lisbon?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?
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 Lisbon in the Summer?
Both Lisbon and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lisbon. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Lisbon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lisbon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Lisbon. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Lisbon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon 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 Lisbon during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lisbon. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Lisbon 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lisbon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Lisbon. Also, many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Lisbon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Lisbon averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lisbon. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Lisbon 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Lisbon in the Spring?
Both Lisbon and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lisbon. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Lisbon 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Lisbon and Sintra
| Sintra | Lisbon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.