Which place is cheaper, Valencia or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Valencia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Valencia? 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 Valencia?
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.
Valencia
Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.
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 Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Valencia €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Valencia is €123. 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 Valencia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Valencia €58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Valencia €116
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Valencia
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Valencia? 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 Valencia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Valencia €18
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:
- One-Way Boat Transfer to/from Port Saplaya: $13
- Valencia hotels to Valencia Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Valencia Hotels to Valencia Cruise Port: $24
- Private Transfer: Valencia City Center to Valencia Airport (VLC): $26
- Private Transfer: Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia City Center: $27
- Valencia to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Sedan: $37
- Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer : $38
- Private Transfer - Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia Airport (VLC): $38
- Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Minivan: $42
- Arrival Private Transfer Valencia Port to Valencia City by Van: $42
- Barcelona to Montserrat: Guided Tour & Return Bus Transfers: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Valencia?
Prices for flights to both Valencia 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 €42Valencia €40
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 Valencia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.
- Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Traveling Spoon Sangria and Tapa Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
- Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
- Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $53
- Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
- Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
- Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $63
- Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $64
- Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $65
- Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Valencia €29
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 Valencia
Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Flamenco Tour€16
Tours and Activities in Valencia
Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Self-Guided City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.74
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.74
- The Essentials of Valencia in a Guided Tour: $5.45
- Valencia Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- In love with A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- In love with A Self-Guided tour of its landmarks: $6.99
- Between Two Gates Self-Guided Smartphone Tour: $7.99
- Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
- Silk Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $8.56
- Historic Center Audio-Guided Tour with Earphones: $8.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Monumental Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Valencia €20
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 Valencia
Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
- Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
- Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
- From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $90
- Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
- Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
- Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
- From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $123
- Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164
- Requena: 1/2 Day Private Vineyards & Premium Wine Tastings: $191
- From Utiel-Requena Wine Tour and Traditional Lunch: $209
- Singular Valencia Wine Tour Utiel Requena Wineries: $213
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Valencia, we can see that Valencia 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 Valencia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Valencia?
Valencia has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Valencia, 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 Valencia?
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 Valencia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Valencia. Also, many visitors come to Valencia in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Valencia averages at about 25°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valencia this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Valencia. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Valencia 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valencia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Valencia. Also, most visitors come to Valencia for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valencia. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Valencia. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Valencia 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valencia in the Winter?
Both Valencia and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Valencia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Valencia in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Valencia fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Sintra usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Valencia. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Valencia 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valencia in the Spring?
Both Valencia and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Valencia this time of year.
In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Valencia averages at about 15°C (60°F).
In Valencia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Valencia. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Valencia 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Valencia and Sintra
| Sintra | Valencia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.