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

Should you visit Sintra or San Remo?

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

Should I visit Sintra or San Remo? 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 San Remo?

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.

San Remo

San Remo is a city located on the Mediterranean coast of northwest Italy. While it has a history that dates back to Roman times, today it exists as a resort town renowned for its casino. Other highlights include a picturesque harbor, medieval center, and a number of festivals and events held throughout the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, San Remo 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 San Remo is €152. 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 San Remo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    San Remo 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    San Remo 160
Compare Hotels in Sintra and San Remo

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or San Remo? 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 San Remo


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 San Remo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    San Remo 46

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 San Remo?

Prices for flights to both San Remo 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
    San Remo 44

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
    San Remo 23

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    San Remo 14

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 San Remo, we can see that San Remo 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo 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 San Remo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or San Remo?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and San Remo, 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In San Remo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than San Remo. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    San Remo 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sintra or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and San Remo. Also, many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Sintra is a little warmer than San Remo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than San Remo. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    San Remo 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Sintra or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as San Remo. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than San Remo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and San Remo averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than San Remo. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    San Remo 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Sintra or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Remo. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    San Remo 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for San Remo and Sintra

Sintra San Remo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)