Which place is cheaper, Pamplona or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Pamplona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona?
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.
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Pamplona €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Pamplona 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 Pamplona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Pamplona €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Pamplona €134
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Pamplona
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Pamplona €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Pamplona?
Prices for flights to both Pamplona 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 €42Pamplona €41
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 Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Pamplona €34
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
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
- Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
- Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
- Tour of the Bardenas " The great desert of Europe" and Tudela. : $234
- San Sebastian & Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $235
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
- San Sebastian And Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $240
- Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Pamplona €31
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: $283
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona 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 Pamplona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Pamplona?
Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Pamplona, 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 Pamplona?
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 Pamplona in the Summer?
Both Pamplona and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Pamplona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Pamplona 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pamplona in the Autumn?
Both Pamplona and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.
Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Pamplona 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pamplona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Pamplona. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sintra is a little warmer than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Pamplona 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pamplona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Pamplona. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Pamplona 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pamplona and Sintra
| Sintra | Pamplona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.