Which place is cheaper, Vigo or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Vigo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Vigo? 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 Vigo?
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.
Vigo
Originally a small fishing town, Vigo has grown to become the most populated municipality in the region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Remnants of the old world still exist in its historic center architecture and plazas, while the commodities of a modern city have blended into its boundaries. The old center remains the hub of activity with plenty to see and do, shopping and dining included.
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 €115Vigo €99
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Vigo is €99. 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 Vigo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Vigo €43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Vigo €86
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Vigo
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Vigo? 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 Vigo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Vigo €37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vigo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vigo:
- Private Transfer from Vigo Cruise Port to Porto Hotels: $43
- Private Transfer from Vigo Cruise Port to Porto Airport (OPO): $43
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Vigo Airport: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Vigo?
Prices for flights to both Vigo 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 €42Vigo €35
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 Vigo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vigo.
- Gourmet Hands on Cooking Class in Galicia with the Chef: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Vigo €10
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
Tours and Activities in Vigo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vigo are as follows:
- GROUP walking tour in Vigo: $1.09
- Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $1.09
- Vigo Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Vigo Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.94
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Secrets of Pontevedra: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Squares of Pontevedra: $10
- Tui Cathedral Guided Tour: $13
- Abanca Balaídos Tour, RC Celta’s Stadium: $16
- Ticket/Photo-Theme Park and Retro Gamer Activity in Vigo: $17
- Monumental Morning Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $17
- Afternoon Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $18
- Night Walking Tour of Pontevedra: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Vigo €5.71
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
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Vigo, 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 Vigo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Vigo?
Vigo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Vigo, 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 Vigo?
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 Vigo in the Summer?
Both Vigo and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Vigo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Vigo averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Vigo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Vigo during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Vigo receives 299 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Vigo. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vigo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Vigo 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Vigo in the Autumn?
Both Vigo and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Vigo. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Vigo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Vigo. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vigo receives 174 hours of full sun.
Vigo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Vigo. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vigo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Vigo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Vigo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Vigo.
Sintra is a little warmer than Vigo in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Vigo fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Vigo during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Vigo receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vigo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives less rain than Vigo. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Vigo receives 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Vigo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Vigo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Vigo.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Vigo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Vigo averages at about 13°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Vigo. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vigo receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vigo. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Vigo. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vigo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Vigo 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Vigo and Sintra
| Sintra | Vigo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 228 mm (9 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.