Which place is cheaper, Palma de Mallorca or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Palma de Mallorca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Palma de Mallorca? 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 Palma de Mallorca?
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.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island, Mallorca, in the western Mediterranean. It is home to landmarks like Gothic cathedrals and medieval fortresses, but is also host to sandy beaches where the city meets the sea in a backdrop of surrounding mountains. Amidst the city itself you will find it easy to get lost in the charm of cobbled lanes, busy markets, boutiques, and historic courtyards.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Palma de Mallorca €139
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Palma de Mallorca is €139. 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 Palma de Mallorca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Palma de Mallorca €69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Palma de Mallorca €138
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Palma de Mallorca
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Palma de Mallorca? 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 Palma de Mallorca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Palma de Mallorca €25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palma de Mallorca
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€6.80
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Bus Ride€1.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palma de Mallorca
Also for Palma de Mallorca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round Trip Transfer from/to Palma Aquarium: $29
- Palma de Mallorca to Mallorca Airport (PMI) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Palma de Mallorca Half Day Sightseeing Tour with Transfers: $33
- Transfer from Palma de Mallorca Port to Mallorca Airport (PMI): $35
- Transfer from Palma de Mallorca Airport to Palma de Mallorca Port: $35
- Palma Nova to Mallorca Airport (PMI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Mallorca Airport (PMI) to Palma Nova - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Mallorca Airport PMI to Port de Pollença Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Mallorca airport (PMI) to Palma de Mallorca city: $59
- Private Transfer from Palma de Mallorca city to Mallorca airport (PMI): $59
- Mallorca Airport (PMI) to Palma de Mallorca - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
- Coasteering in South Mallorca with Transfers: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Palma de Mallorca?
Prices for flights to both Palma de Mallorca 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 €42Palma de Mallorca €45
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 Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mallorca Evening Tour: Horseback Riding, Dinner and Dance: $107
- Spanish Cooking Experience in Mallorca: $109
- The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Mallorca: The 10 Tastings: $130
- Mediterranean cooking experience in nature: $131
- 4-Hour Market Visit and Traditional Cooking Workshop in Palma: $147
- Sailboat Dinner and Movie Night: $650
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Palma de Mallorca €34
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 Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Kingdom of Mallorca: $6.99
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.36
- AbenteuerDate Alcudia, Interactive Fun Tour in German Language: $9.82
- AbenteuerDate Palmanova, tour with fun activities in German language: $9.82
- AbenteuerDate, Palma,Santa Catalina, Tour with Fun Activities in German Language: $9.82
- AbenteuerDate, Cala Rajada, tour with fun activities in German language: $9.82
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Legends of Palma: $10
- Palma: Couple Adventure, fun game and city walk: $11
- Secrets with the Palma Medieval Jewish Quarter Audio Tour: $11
- Uncover Secrets of Palma: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Mallorca Cathedral Skip The Line Tickets: $13
- Self-guided tour to must visit places in Mallorca : $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Palma de Mallorca €29
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 Palma de Mallorca
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
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Coffee€3.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Palma de Mallorca
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Palma de Mallorca:
- Wine tasting with wines from the smallest wineries in Mallorca: $43
- Guided tour of the Winery with wine tasting, Vineyard and much more!: $49
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour: $53
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in Palma de Mallorca : $54
- Gastronomic Mallorquin Wine Tasting & local delicacies: $71
- Mallorca Wine Tasting: $74
- Wine Tasting Experience with Mallorcan Delights in Alcudia: $87
- Sa Clasta Mallorca Wine Tours: $158
- Mallorca Bodega & Olive Tour with Wine Tasting (full day): $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Palma de Mallorca?
Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Palma de Mallorca, 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 Palma de Mallorca?
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 Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?
Both Palma de Mallorca and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In Palma de Mallorca, 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 Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Palma de Mallorca 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palma de Mallorca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Palma de Mallorca. Furthermore, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Palma de Mallorca 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palma de Mallorca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Palma de Mallorca. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Palma de Mallorca 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palma de Mallorca in the Spring?
Both Palma de Mallorca and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Palma de Mallorca 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Sintra
| Sintra | Palma de Mallorca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.