Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Varenna? 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 Varenna?
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.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Varenna €164
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Varenna is €164. 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 Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Varenna €86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Varenna €172
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Varenna? 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 Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Varenna €34
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 Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna 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 €42Varenna €53
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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Varenna €34
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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Varenna €23
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 Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Varenna?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Varenna, 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 Varenna?
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 Varenna in the Summer?
Both Varenna and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Varenna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun.
Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Varenna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Varenna. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Varenna. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Varenna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Varenna. Additionally, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. Sintra is much warmer than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Varenna. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Varenna in the Spring?
Both Varenna and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Varenna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Varenna. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Sintra
| Sintra | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.