Which place is cheaper, Valletta or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Valletta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Valletta? 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 Valletta?
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.
Valletta
A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Valletta €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Valletta is €116. 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 Valletta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Valletta €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Valletta €130
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Valletta
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Valletta? 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 Valletta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Valletta €24
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 Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malta Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Transfer from Malta Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port: $14
- Private Transfer from Valletta Cruise Port to Malta Airport (MLA): $14
- Valletta Cruise Port to Malta Intl Airport (MLA) - Departure Private Transfer : $14
- Malta Intl Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $28
- Private Transfer: Valletta to Malta International Airport (MLA): $31
- Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to Valletta: $31
- Malta Airport Transfers : $38
- Afternoon Harbours Cruise with Guide and Roundtrip Transfers: $39
- The Three Fortified Cities of Malta Half Day Tour Incl. Boat Trip and Transfers: $39
- Malta Private Airport Transfer - Arrival: $44
- Departure Transfer: Malta Island to Malta Airport MLA by Van: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Valletta?
Prices for flights to both Valletta 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 €42Valletta €32
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 Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
- Valletta Food Tour: $49
- Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
- Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
- Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $76
- The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $80
- Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $80
- Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $86
- Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $91
- From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
- Private Valletta Food Tour: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Valletta €27
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 Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
- Reliving The Sacra Infermeria Augmented Reality Tour: $6.55
- The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket: $7.10
- Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
- City Nobles App Tour + Malta5D Entry (optional): $7.49
- Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide): $7.49
- City Nobles App Tour + Optional Malta 5D Show Ticket: $7.64
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.02
- Self-Guided Audio Tour, Map and Directions: $8.56
- Entry Ticket for The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens : $9.83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Valletta €16
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 Valletta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:
- Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
- Malta Pub Crawl: $22
- The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
- The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
- Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Valletta, we can see that Valletta 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 Valletta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Valletta?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Valletta, 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 Valletta?
Sintra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sintra or Valletta in the Summer?
Both Valletta and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.
In July, Sintra is generally cooler than Valletta. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Valletta. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Valletta 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valletta in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Valletta. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Valletta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valletta. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Valletta 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valletta in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Valletta. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.
In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Valletta averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Valletta. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Valletta 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Valletta in the Spring?
Both Valletta and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Valletta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valletta during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Valletta. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Valletta 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Valletta and Sintra
| Sintra | Valletta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 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.