A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Sintra vs. Lisbon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Lisbon 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Lisbon 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Lisbon


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Lisbon 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $98
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $111
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $100
  • Transfer Aeroporto de Lisboa para Sintra: $54
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $83
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Executive Van or Car: $74
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $58
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $52
  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $28
  • Ericeira Private Transfer from / to Lisbon: $61
  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $444

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $11
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: From Lisbon Airport to Hotels: $11
  • Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $12
  • Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $14
  • Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
  • Lisbon Private Departure Transfer to Airport, Train or Port: $14
  • Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer: Lisbon Airport to or from Lisbon Center: $15
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
  • Private Transfers, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Setubal: $17
  • Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Lisbon 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: $55
  • Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS : $94
  • Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $94

Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • 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: $38
  • Fado Tour with Live Show and Portuguese Dinner: $47
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $49
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
  • Lisbon Fado and Dinner Tour: $55
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Lisbon 24

Tours and Activities in Sintra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:

  • Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $128
  • 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $189
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $133
  • Amazing Sintra tour: $93
  • Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $220
  • Cascais Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • Cascais-Sintra E-Bike Tour: Discover Its Natural Beauty: $161
  • E- Bike Self Guide Tour: $59
  • ERICEIRA | LIZANDRO RIVER AND SEA E-BIKE BTT TOUR 2h30 HOURS: $75
  • Ericeira Private Tour: Hidden Gastronomic Treasures with Lunch : $110
  • Ericeira: 2h Sunset E-BIKE BTT tour: $78
  • Ericeira: 2h30 Hours E-Bike Tour To Mafra: $54

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: $0.54
  • Moorish Quarter Free Walking Tour: $0.98
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.14
  • Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.14
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.31
  • Old Town Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.31
  • Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.31
  • Lisbon Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $3.33
  • Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Lisbon 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: $61
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $83
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $184
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $239

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: $19
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $21
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $22
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
  • Alcohol Free Lisbon Pub Crawl : Zero Proof Party: $22
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $23
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • St Patricks's Lisbon Pub Crawl: $27


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 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)