A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Naples for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Naples?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Naples? 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 Naples?

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.

Naples

Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.

Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Naples 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 Naples is €129. 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 Naples in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Naples 66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Naples 132
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Naples

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Naples? 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 Naples


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 Naples Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
  • 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: $86
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples

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


  • Subway Ticket
    1.20
  • Alibus From Airport
    3.00
  • Short Taxi Ride
    7.34
  • Train to Pompeii
    3.20
  • Taxi
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:

  • Naples Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Naples Maritime Station: $5.35
  • Naples Porta Nolana: Train Transfer from/to Pompei: $16
  • From Train Transfer to/from Sorrento: $16
  • Naples Porta Nolana: Train Transfer from/to Ercolano Scavi: $16
  • From Transfer to Mount Vesuvius by Bus: $21
  • Vesuvius easy Transfer: $25
  • Naples Departure Transfer: Central Naples to Cruise Port: $26
  • Naples Cruise Port to Central Naples Arrival Transfer: $26
  • Private transfer car from Naples train station to the center: $26
  • Naples Airport (NAP) to Naples hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • From Bus Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport: $27
  • Naples Airport Private Departure Transfer: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Naples?

Prices for flights to both Naples 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
    Naples 40

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

Typical Food Prices in Naples

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    28
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    49
  • Napoli Pizza
    7.24
  • Dinner
    25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Naples.

  • Napoli: Traditional Tiramisu Cooking Class with Limoncello: $36
  • Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $46
  • Street Food Tour of Naples with Top-Rated Local Guide & Fun Facts: $46
  • Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert: $46
  • Authentic Italian Pizza-Making Workshop with Drinks: $46
  • Authentic Pizza Class with Drinks Included in the Center of Naples: $47
  • Authentic Italian Pizza Making Class with local pizzaiolo: $53
  • Food Tour with Davide: $53
  • Virtual Cooking Class: become a Pizza PRO!: $55
  • Food Tour of Naples with Davide: $55
  • Napoli Street Food Tour in Pignasecca: $58
  • Make Neapolitan Pizza With A View Of Naples Like No Other: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Naples 30

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: $3.74
  • Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
  • Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
  • National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
  • National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
  • Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18

Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples

Here are a few typical costs in Naples for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance
    9.00
  • Castelnuovo Museum Entrance
    5.00
  • Entrance to Pompeii
    11

Tours and Activities in Naples

Here are a few actual costs in Naples for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Monuments and Historic District Self-Guided Tour: $4.27
  • Pompeii Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.27
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.35
  • Napoli: Entrance Tickets to Sant'Anna dei Lombardi Complex: $6.42
  • Naples from Ancient Greece to today: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Naples Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • San Lorenzo Maggiore and Neapolis Sotterrata Ticket: $9.62
  • Città della Scienza Interactive Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • National Archaeological Museum Self-Guided 3D Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Castel Sant'Elmo Ticket and Pemcards: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Naples 21

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Naples:


  • Beer
    4.10
  • Beer
    4.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Naples

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:

  • Guided Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $16
  • Mount Vesuvius: Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $51
  • Regional food and wine tasting: $53
  • Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Napoli: $63
  • Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Naples City Center: $64
  • Full-Day Bike Guided Tour in Napoli with Wine Tasting: $64
  • Vesuvius Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch Included: $75
  • Mount Vesuvius 4-Hour Volcano Tour with Wine Tasting: $79
  • Naples Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $86
  • Naples Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $90
  • Vesuvius Half-Day Trip with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $95
  • From Wine Tasting Tour on Vesuvius Slopes with Lunch: $97


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Naples, we can see that Naples 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 Naples Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Naples. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Naples during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Naples. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Naples 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Naples. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Sintra is a little warmer than Naples in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Naples. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Naples 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Naples because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Naples during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Naples. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Naples 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Naples. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Naples. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Naples 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Naples and Sintra

Sintra Naples
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 21°C (70°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)