Should you visit Sintra or Setubal?
Should I visit Sintra or Setubal? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Setubal or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €92, while the average daily cost in Setubal is €99. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sintra and Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €45. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sintra the cost is €90 on average.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around €94 in Setubal For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about €34 per day in Sintra for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Setubal food costs typically run travelers around €28 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sintra €34
Setubal €28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
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Sintra Walking Food Tour:
$60
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Sintra is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €17 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sintra.
To get around in Setubal, the average visitor spends €43 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
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Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center:
$30
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Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$25
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Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra:
$22
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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Sintra typically cost an average of €18 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Setubal, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €9.97 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To ALGARVE Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA:
$485
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA:
$373
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2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON:
$261
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2 Tours Private/Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 LISBON:
$373
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2H Sintra Tour by Tuk Tuk:
$149
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3 Tours Private/Day 1 LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON to FÁTIMA Day 3 LISBON:
$498
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Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car:
$56
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Cabo da Roca and Praia da Ursa Half Day Tour - IncrediblePortugal Private Tours:
$92
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Cascais & Sintra Tour in electric car:
$224
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Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour:
$30
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ECO FRIENDLY TOUR - The Unknown Side of Sintra:
$71
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Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax):
$27
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
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Dolphin Watching and Boat Tour in Sesimbra:
$50
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Rock Climbing and Rappelling Experience in Serra da Arrábida:
$75
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Sport Fishing Tour - All Inclusive:
$93
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Arrábida Uncovered: The Adventure:
$93
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Seaview board tour in the Arrábida Coast! - NEW!!!:
$95
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Private Tour in Sintra / Roca Cape / Cascais:
$112
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Arrábida National Park, Azeitão and Sesimbra - IncrediblePortugal Private Tours:
$120
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Arrábida National Park Rock Climbing Experience:
$141
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3 Castels tour and Cabo Espichel visit (All Included):
$172
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Full Day - Private Tour Arrábida Park:
$185
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Sesimbra Beach & Cave Tour:
$199
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Full Day Private Tour - Dolphin Watching and Secret beaches of the Arrábida!:
$809
Alcohol
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Sintra per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Setubal, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €8.00.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
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Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour:
$117
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Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience:
$121
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
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SUP Tour w/ Local Food & Wine Tasting:
$115
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.
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