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

Should you visit Sintra or Piazza Armerina?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Piazza Armerina? 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 Piazza Armerina?

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.

Piazza Armerina

Located in central Sicily in the province of Enna, Piazza Armerina is famous for its Roman Mosaics of the Villa Romana di Casale. The city, originally called Piazza, grew up during the Norman domination of Sicily in the 11th century, although the area has been settled since prehistoric times. The city was at its peak during the Roman times, which is notable by the impressive mosaics.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina is €93. 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 Piazza Armerina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Piazza Armerina 56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Piazza Armerina 112
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Piazza Armerina

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Piazza Armerina? 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 Piazza Armerina


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 Piazza Armerina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Piazza Armerina 4.29

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 Piazza Armerina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Piazza Armerina:

  • From Catania: Return Transfer to Piazza Armerina & Agrigento: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Piazza Armerina?

Prices for flights to both Piazza Armerina 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
    Piazza Armerina 33

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Piazza Armerina 4.29

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 Piazza Armerina

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Piazza Armerina are as follows:

  • Villa Romana del Casale Guided Tour: $42
  • From Catania: Agrigento-Piazza Armerina Audio-guided Tour: $128
  • Private Tour of Villa Romana del Casale & Valley of Temples: $225
  • Roman Villa del Casale Mosaics Tour: $241

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Piazza Armerina 13

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 Piazza Armerina, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Piazza Armerina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Piazza Armerina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Piazza Armerina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Piazza Armerina?

Sintra has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Piazza Armerina, 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 Piazza Armerina?

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 Piazza Armerina in the Summer?

Both Piazza Armerina and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Piazza Armerina because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sintra is cooler than Piazza Armerina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Piazza Armerina averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Piazza Armerina during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Piazza Armerina receives 325 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives more rain than Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Piazza Armerina receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Piazza Armerina 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Piazza Armerina in the Autumn?

Both Piazza Armerina and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Piazza Armerina. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Piazza Armerina fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Piazza Armerina receives 189 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Piazza Armerina receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Piazza Armerina 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Piazza Armerina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Piazza Armerina. Furthermore, many travelers come to Piazza Armerina for the museums and the cuisine.

Sintra is a little warmer than Piazza Armerina in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Piazza Armerina fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Piazza Armerina during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Piazza Armerina receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Piazza Armerina receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Piazza Armerina 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Piazza Armerina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Piazza Armerina.

In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Piazza Armerina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Piazza Armerina averages at about 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piazza Armerina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Piazza Armerina receives 204 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Piazza Armerina. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Piazza Armerina receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Piazza Armerina 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Piazza Armerina and Sintra

Sintra Piazza Armerina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 14 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (74°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)