Which place is cheaper, Pontevedra or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Pontevedra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Pontevedra? 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 Pontevedra?
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.
Pontevedra
An important port city with a medieval past, Pontevedra sits on the northwestern coast of Spain where the Lerez River opens out into the ocean. It is a part of the Galicia region and is known for its seafood, charming plazas, and old world architecture that include a number of chapels, churches, and cathedrals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Pontevedra €120
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Pontevedra is €120. 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 Pontevedra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Pontevedra €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Pontevedra €122
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Pontevedra
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Pontevedra? 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 Pontevedra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Pontevedra €23
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Pontevedra?
Prices for flights to both Pontevedra 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 €42Pontevedra €42
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 Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for 2€11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Galician Cooking Class with Chef Instructor: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Pontevedra €19
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 Pontevedra
For Pontevedra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pontevedra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- O Grove Aquarium Experience: $16
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $43
- NEW!! Private Walking Tour with local guide: $64
- Walking Tour and Galician Food Tasting: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Pontevedra €20
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 Pontevedra
Also in Pontevedra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $32
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Pontevedra, we can see that Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Pontevedra?
Pontevedra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Pontevedra, 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 Pontevedra?
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 Pontevedra in the Summer?
Both Pontevedra and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Pontevedra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In Pontevedra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 299 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Pontevedra 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pontevedra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Pontevedra.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Pontevedra. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Pontevedra fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pontevedra during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pontevedra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Pontevedra 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pontevedra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Pontevedra.
Sintra is a little warmer than Pontevedra in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Pontevedra fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pontevedra receives 110 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pontevedra. Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets less rain in January than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Pontevedra 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pontevedra in the Spring?
Both Pontevedra and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Pontevedra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pontevedra averages at about 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pontevedra during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Pontevedra receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pontevedra. In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Pontevedra. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pontevedra receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Pontevedra 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Pontevedra and Sintra
| Sintra | Pontevedra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 228 mm (9 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.