Which place is cheaper, Madeira Islands or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands?
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.
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
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.
-
Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesMadeira Islands Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Madeira Islands €49,816
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Madeira Islands is €49,816. 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 Madeira Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Madeira Islands €23,804
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Madeira Islands €
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php on line 2805
46
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Madeira Islands
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Madeira Islands €4,784
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $271
- Transfer From Lisboa to Nazaré: $132
- Tours and Transfers: $98
- Lisbon: Surf Experience at Caparica with Transfer: $60
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Prices for flights to both Madeira Islands 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 €73Madeira Islands €16,907
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Lisbon Countryside Food Tour on a Vintage Car: $92
- Lisbon Countryside Food Tour on Vintage Car: $103
- Boho Chic Picnic Dinner with Water Views: $110
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience: $120
- Pastel de Nata or Portuguese Cooking Class in Sintra with Locals: $140
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Madeira Islands €13,949
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Self Guided Tour Sintra : $42
- E-Bike Self Guided Tour Sintra & Cabo da Roca : $58
- Sintra & Cascais in one day Renault 4L Tour (Full day): $144
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L: $41
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk: $65
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk : $66
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour: $65
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $159
- 4 Hour Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Sintra: $108
- 4 hour tour | Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca: $66
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $168
- Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Madeira Islands €3,505
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $90
- From Sintra, Mafra, or Ericeira: Hike and Wine Tour: $100
- Lisbon Region Wine Tour: Mafra & Ericeira + Hotel Pick-Up: $198
- PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $235
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $316
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Madeira Islands, we can see that Madeira Islands 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 Madeira Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madeira Islands 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 Madeira Islands Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Madeira Islands has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Madeira Islands, 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.
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.