Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Olympos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Olympos? 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 Olympos?
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.
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
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 Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Olympos €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Olympos is €89. 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 Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Olympos €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Olympos €80
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Olympos? 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 Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Olympos €28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kemer Full Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch and Optional Transfer: $10
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
- Suluada Boat Tour From Antalya (Maldives of Turkey) with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer Mega Star Boat Trip With Hotel Transfer and Lunch : $20
- Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $22
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kemer Horse Riding Experience with Transfer: $39
- Kemer Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $40
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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 €42Olympos €28
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 Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Olympos €28
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 Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- Spa Experience in Kemer with Pickup: $18
- Turkish Bath Experience in Kemer: $20
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer Turkey with Two Dives and Lunch: $26
- Pirate Boat Tour on the Beautiful Bays of Kemer: $27
- Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: $27
- Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: Two Dives with Lunch : $30
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Safari Adventure in the mountains from Kemer: $32
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
- Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Olympos €17
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Olympos, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sintra or Olympos?
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 Olympos in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Olympos.
Sintra is cooler than Olympos in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Olympos. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Olympos in the Autumn?
Both Olympos and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Olympos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Olympos averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Olympos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Olympos. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Olympos in the Winter?
Both Olympos and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Olympos. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Olympos. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Olympos. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Olympos in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Olympos.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Olympos in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympos 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 Olympos during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Olympos. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Sintra
| Sintra | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.