Which place is cheaper, Taormina or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Taormina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Taormina? 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 Taormina?
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.
Taormina
A quaint hillside town on the eastern side of Sicily, Taormina is arguably one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island. It's peak season is the months of July and August when Italian and European tourists alike flock to the beaches. During this time it can be crowded and hot, but if you visit during the spring or fall months you might find the crowds slightly less and the weather more comfortable. The town is popular with package tours, which stay at the beach resorts around Giardini Naxos to the south or Letojanni to the north.
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 Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Taormina €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Taormina is €108. 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 Taormina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Taormina €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Taormina €140
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Taormina
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Taormina? 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 Taormina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Taormina €4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taormina
Also for Taormina, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sicily Catania Airport: Bus Transfer to and from Taormina: $7.49
- Roundtrip Transfer from Messina: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Taormina?
Prices for flights to both Taormina 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 €42Taormina €33
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 €23Taormina €11
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
Tours and Activities in Taormina
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Taormina.
- From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
- From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
- Tour di Taormina, Savoca e Forza D' Agro': $139
- Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150
- Taormina private tour: $160
- Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
- Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
- Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
- Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
- 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
- Tour da Messina a Taormina, Castelmola, Isola Bella: $695
- From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Taormina €8.57
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Taormina
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taormina:
- Mt Etna Private guided walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
- Catania: Mt. Etna Private Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $299
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Taormina, 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 Taormina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Taormina?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Taormina, 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 Taormina?
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 Taormina in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Taormina. Additionally, most visitors come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Sintra is generally cooler than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. 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 Taormina. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Taormina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Taormina in the Autumn?
Both Taormina and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Taormina because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Taormina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Taormina. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Taormina. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Taormina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Taormina in the Winter?
Both Taormina and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.
In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Taormina averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Taormina. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Taormina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Taormina in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Taormina. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Taormina. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Taormina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Taormina and Sintra
| Sintra | Taormina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 87 mm (3.4 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.