Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz?
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.
Puerto de la Cruz
The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Puerto de la Cruz €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Puerto de la Cruz is €112. 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 Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Puerto de la Cruz €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Puerto de la Cruz €102
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Puerto de la Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Puerto de la Cruz €40
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz 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 €42Puerto de la Cruz €34
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Puerto de la Cruz €28
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Puerto de la Cruz €5.00
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 comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Sintra 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 Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Puerto de la Cruz?
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 Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Puerto de la Cruz.
In the winter, Sintra is much colder than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Sintra usually receives less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 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 Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Puerto de la Cruz.
In April, Sintra is generally cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Puerto de la Cruz. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Sintra
| Sintra | Puerto de la Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.