Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Setubal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Setubal? 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 Setubal?
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.
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
-
Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesSetubal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Setubal €149
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Setubal is €149. 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 Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Setubal €59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Setubal €118
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Setubal
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Setubal? 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 Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Setubal €54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Transfer From Lisboa To Tavira Algarve: $297
- Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $257
- Private San Francisco Transfer: $222
- Transfer From Lisboa to nazaré: $126
- Cascais Municipal Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon - Round-Trip Transfer: $123
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $116
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $104
- Tours and Transfers: $93
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $87
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $76
- Private Transfer from Cascais/Sintra to Lisbon Airport : $75
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $23
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $23
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $54
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Setubal?
Prices for flights to both Setubal 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 daySintra €73Setubal €60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS : $110
- Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Live Fado Show with Traditional Dinner and Lisbon by Night : $215
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Setubal €12
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Sintra & Cascais in one day Renault 4L Tour (Full day): $149
- "Exclusive Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais Private Tour": $136
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L: $28
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L : $29
- 1 Hour Private Tuk-Tuk Tour in Sintra: $51
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk: $57
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk : $57
- 19th Century Photography Experience: $46
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour: $68
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour : $69
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $170
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $172
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.30
- Secret Setubal Self-Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $7.15
- Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $7.96
- Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $17
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $23
- Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $29
- Sesimbra Walking Tour: $29
- Medieval Tour: $29
- Setúbal: Walking Tour with Local Products Tasting: $40
- Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $40
- Kayak Tour with Guide in Sesimbra: $40
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Setubal €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- From Sintra, Mafra, or Ericeira: Hike and Wine Tour: $96
- Tour Mafra, Ericeira with wine tasting in Adega de Lisboa: $166
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $191
- PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $223
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Blind Wine Tasting: $59
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $74
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $109
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $138
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $149
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $203
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Setubal, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Setubal?
Setubal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Setubal, 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 Setubal?
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 Setubal in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Setubal.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Setubal in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Setubal fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Setubal. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Setubal 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Setubal in the Autumn?
Both Setubal and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Setubal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Setubal averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Setubal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Setubal. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Setubal 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Setubal in the Winter?
Both Setubal and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Setubal. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun.
Setubal 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 Setubal. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Setubal 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Setubal in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Setubal.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Setubal in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Setubal fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Setubal. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Setubal 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Setubal and Sintra
| Sintra | Setubal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.