Which place is cheaper, Sorrento or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Sorrento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Sorrento? 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 Sorrento?
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.
Sorrento
Sorrento is a popular travel destination in Campania, Italy. The city has nice architecture and many shops and outdoor cafes you can enjoy. Its access via the Circumvesuviana rail system make it a great base for visiting Pompeii and Ercolano.
The city has a Mediterranean climate that has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The pleasant climate make it a popular destination year around, although you can expect crowds during the peak summer months.
You'll find no shortage of hotels and hostels in town as the city's economy is very much dependent on tourism. Hostels are generally clean and comfortable, but they may be more expensive than you expect. If you travel during the low season you're likely to save some money even if the weather isn't as nice. Mid range hotel rooms are usually smaller than their American counterparts, but they are clean and nice and often come with a complimentary breakfast. The same can generally be said for more expensive hotels.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Sorrento €140
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Sorrento is €140. 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 Sorrento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Sorrento €90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Sorrento €180
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Sorrento
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Sorrento? 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 Sorrento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Sorrento €7.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sorrento
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:
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Local Bus Ticket€4.20
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Ferry to Capri (Round Trip)€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sorrento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:
- Train Transfer from/to Pompei: $16
- Shared Transfer service from Sorrento to Naples central station: $41
- Shared Transfer to Naples Airport or Train Station: $43
- Private Transfer with driver from Naples to Sorrento: $50
- Private Transfer from Massa Lubrense to Naples Airport, train Stations or Hotels: $68
- Private Transfer to Positano, Amalfi, or Naples: $79
- From Path of The Gods Hiking & Transfer with Guide: $80
- Aurora car service Transfers from Sorrento to Naples / viceversa: $83
- Private Transfer From Sorrento to Positano: $95
- Private Transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $97
- Private Car Transfer from Sorrento to Positano: $98
- Private Transfer From Amalfi to Sorrento With Hotel Pick-Up: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Sorrento?
Prices for flights to both Sorrento 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 €42Sorrento €38
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 Sorrento
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:
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Pizza€6.00
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€43
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sorrento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sorrento.
- Private Virtual Cooking Class from Sorrento : $33
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class and Wine Tasting: $48
- Sorrento Art & Food Tour on Breathless 'Views Village: $50
- Pizza Making Class at Tirabusciò Cooking School: $64
- Pizza Making Class: $64
- Sorrento Pizza Making: $65
- Pizza Making Course: $70
- Dinner in Sorrento with Love, Laugh and Spaghetti: $70
- Pizza School Experience from Sorrento: $71
- Farm Visit with Pizza Lesson, Wine, and Limoncello: $75
- Pizza School with Wine and Limoncello Tasting in a Local Farm: $76
- Private Cooking Class in Sant'Agnello: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Sorrento €33
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sorrento
Here are a few typical costs in Sorrento for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Chair & Umbrella at Beach€10
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Bike Rental (24 Hours)€20
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Scuba Diving (Single Dive)€45
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Blue Mini Cruise€22
Tours and Activities in Sorrento
Here are a few actual costs in Sorrento for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Capri: Boat Tour, Priority Tickets & Blue Grotto (Optional): $26
- Private tour of limoncello igp with tasting by the sea: $27
- Pompeii Express Tour by Train from Sorrento: $32
- Lemon Garden Tour with Marmalade Tasting: $32
- Guided Walking Tour and Limoncello Tasting: $37
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Sorrento with Local Food Tasting: $39
- Sorrento Lemon Tour: $43
- Kayak tour from Sorrento to Bagni Regina Giovanna: $44
- Sorrento Lemon Tour and tasting of local products: $44
- Inlaid wood Factory Tour: $44
- From Positano and Amalfi Day Cruise: $48
- Skip-the-Line Pompeii Express Tour by Train: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Sorrento €8.72
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 Sorrento
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sorrento are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sorrento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sorrento:
- Walking Tour Wine Tasting and Typical Products in Sorrento Farm: $71
- Campania wine tasting with traditional foods: $75
- Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $97
- Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting : $98
- Small Group Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $104
- From Mount Vesuvius Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $107
- Wine Tasting Including Lunch: $108
- Lemon, Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $109
- From Full-Day Pompeii & Wine Tasting Tour: $136
- Full Day Small Group Pompeii Tour from Sorrento with Local Wine Tasting: $139
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Wine tasting + Easy lunch: $185
- Guided Tour of Pompei and Wine Tasting from Sorrento: $205
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento 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 Sorrento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sorrento 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 Sorrento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Sorrento?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Sorrento, 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 Sorrento?
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 Sorrento in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Sorrento. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Sorrento in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Sorrento 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Sorrento in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Sorrento. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Sorrento averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Sorrento 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Sorrento in the Winter?
Both Sorrento and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.
In January, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sorrento. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Sorrento 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Sorrento in the Spring?
Both Sorrento and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Sintra is a little warmer than Sorrento in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Sorrento 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Sorrento and Sintra
| Sintra | Sorrento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.