Which place is cheaper, Positano or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Positano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Positano? 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 Positano?
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.
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Positano €222
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Positano is €222. 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 Positano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Positano €148
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Positano €296
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Positano
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Positano? 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 Positano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Positano €7.73
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
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Bus Ticket€1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Sorrento to Naples Airport: $41
- Positano to Napoli Airport (NAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to Naples Train Station: $53
- Private Transfer to Sorrento, Rome or Naples: $79
- private transfer from Positano to Naples or reverse: $82
- Amalfi and Positano cruise with transfer included: $94
- Private Transfer from Positano to Sorrento Hotels: $95
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples: $109
- private transfer from POSITANO to NAPLES: $109
- Private Transfer Naples Positano or Praiano or vice versa, Via Pompei or Cantina: $112
- Private direct transfer from Bomerano to Naples with local driver: $117
- Private transfer from Positano to Naples : $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Positano?
Prices for flights to both Positano 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 €42Positano €53
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 Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gastronomical Amalfi Coast Hike with Cooking Class: $45
- Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $64
- Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $76
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Pasta Mozzarella & Tiramisu with Wine: $88
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $93
- Sorrento Pizza School Activity in Italy: $98
- Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks : $147
- Lemon & sea food cooking class at local's home: $169
- Small Group Home Cooking Class with a Local: $191
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $191
- Cesarine: Small group Pizza and Tiramisu Class in Positano: $195
- Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Positano €60
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande€17
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Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi€80
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Sunset Cruise€24
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Full Day Wine Tour€97
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Cooking Class€65
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
- From Sorrento: Positano Mini Cruise: $36
- Positano Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $66
- Sunset Tour Experience - Shared: $75
- Amalfi Coast Sunset Group Boat Tour with Prosecco: $80
- Golden Hour around Positano Sunset Group Cruise : $82
- Unforgettable sunset tour in Positano: $87
- From Amalfi Coast Sunset Cruise - Group Tour: $97
- Sunset Group Boat Tour from Positano or Praiano: $104
- Full Day Amalfi Small Group Cruise from Positano : $104
- Old Town Walking Tour with Archaeologist Guide: $106
- Sunset Boat Cruise from Maiori: $106
- Sunset Boat Cruise from Amalfi: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Positano €15
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 Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
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Bottle of Limoncello€16
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
- 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $76
- Small Group Positano Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $108
- Pompeii Wine Tasting Tour from Positano: $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Positano, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Positano?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Positano, 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 Positano?
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 Positano in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Positano. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Positano. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Positano fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Positano. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Positano. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Positano. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Positano 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Positano in the Autumn?
Both Positano and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Positano this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Positano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Positano fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Positano during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Positano. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Positano. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Positano 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Positano in the Winter?
Both Positano and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Positano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Positano averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Positano. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 115 hours of full sun.
Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Positano. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Positano receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Positano 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Positano in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Positano. Furthermore, many visitors come to Positano in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Positano. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Positano fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Positano during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Positano. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Positano receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Positano 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Positano and Sintra
| Sintra | Positano | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.