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

Should you visit Sintra or Trieste?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste? 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 Trieste?

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.

Trieste

Located on the northeast Italian coast next to the Adriatic Sea, Trieste is a city characterized by its European charm, ancient architecture, and striking sea views. Its art, music, history, and culture also take some influence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, boasting many Slavic traditions and empire-era architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Trieste 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 Trieste is €100. 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 Trieste in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Trieste 55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Trieste 110
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Trieste

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Trieste? 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 Trieste


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 Trieste Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Trieste 18

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Trieste

Also for Trieste, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Small-Group Transfer from Trieste City to Trieste Airport: $66
  • Private Transfer from Koper Port to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $68
  • Private Transfer from Koper Cruise Port to Ljubljana city hotels: $68
  • Transfer from Koper to Ljubljana Airport: $104
  • Trieste city to Venice Airport (VCE) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • Trieste City to Venice Piazzale Roma Arrival Private Transfer: $109
  • Transfer from Trieste Airport to Ljubljana: $115
  • Trieste or Cruise Port to Venice, piazzale Roma Arrival Transfer: $120
  • Trieste or Cruise Port to Venice Airport Departure Transfer: $120
  • Transfer from Koper to Treviso Airport: $137
  • Private Transfer from Trieste city or Port to Venice + water taxi: $145
  • Trieste city or Cruise Port to Venice+water taxi Arrival Transfer: $145

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Trieste?

Prices for flights to both Trieste 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
    Trieste 31

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Trieste

For Trieste, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cesarine: Small group Street food tour in Trieste: $97
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Trieste with show cooking: $115
  • Istria - Truffles: Hunting & Cooking & Tasting, Slovenia: $141
  • Trieste Private Home Cooking Class: $155
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Trieste: $158
  • Private Mediterranean Fish Cooking Workshop with Irena: $180
  • 5-Course Food Tour with Electric Bikes: $235

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Trieste 22

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 Trieste

For Trieste, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Train ticket connecting airport and city: $5.64
  • Trieste Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Trieste Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $8.95
  • Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $17
  • Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $17
  • Miramare Castle Entrance Ticket: $20
  • 60-minute Small Group Guided Walking Tour in Piran: $22
  • HO HO Scenic Tour to Piran with Sweet Surprise: $34
  • Piran Walking Tour with Local Wine and Food Tasting: $38
  • Wine Fountain Tasting Day Tour from Portoroz: $44
  • 2.5-Hour Prosecco Origins Tour and Tastings: $48
  • Prosecco Origins Wine Experience: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Trieste 8.00

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 Trieste

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Trieste:

  • Wine Tasting from Istria, Carso and Friuli terroirs: $37
  • Trip to Stanjel castle wine tasting and gourmet lunch 4 courses from Piran: $131
  • Castles & Wine Tour: $140
  • Collio: Cividale Del Friuli and Wine Tastings from Trieste: $148
  • Experience Slovenian Coast line with Wine Tasting from Trieste: $164
  • Koper & Wine tasting: $186
  • Wine Tour on the Coast: $268


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Trieste, 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 Trieste Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Trieste. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Trieste. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Trieste 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Trieste. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Trieste because of the natural beauty of the area.

Sintra is a little warmer than Trieste in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Trieste. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Trieste 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Trieste. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Trieste. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Trieste averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Trieste. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Trieste 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Trieste 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 Trieste during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Trieste. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Trieste and Sintra

Sintra Trieste
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)