Which place is cheaper, Viseu or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Viseu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Viseu? 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 Viseu?
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.
Viseu
Viseu is the beautiful capital city of the Centro Region of Portugal, located northeast of Lisbon. The city, which is situated in the center of the famous Dao wine region, offers stunning natural scenery and beautiful ancient architecture. The best time to visit Viseu is during the summer from June through September when temperatures tend to range from 75-85° Fahrenheit and there is less rain. From October-May, temperatures tend to stay between 45-60° F and rainfall is at its highest.
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 Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Viseu €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Viseu is €98. 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 Viseu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Viseu €52
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Viseu €104
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Viseu
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Viseu? 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 Viseu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Viseu €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $72
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, Sintra or Estoril: $107
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $108
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $511
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Viseu?
Prices for flights to both Viseu 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 daySintra €42Viseu €31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Half-Day Ericeira Walking Food Tour: $54
- Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $92
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Viseu €23
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: $156
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L : $27
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $147
- 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $295
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour : $65
- 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $295
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
- 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $109
- Amazing Sintra tour: $91
- Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car or Electric jeep: $92
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Viseu €7.71
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: $70
- Wine Tasting Tour: $81
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $81
- Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $180
- From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $233
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Viseu, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Viseu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Viseu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Viseu 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Viseu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Viseu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Viseu?
Viseu has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Viseu, 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 Viseu?
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 Viseu in the Summer?
Both Viseu and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Viseu in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Viseu fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Viseu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Viseu. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Viseu receives 308 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Viseu. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Viseu 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Viseu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Viseu.
In the autumn, Sintra is around the same temperature as Viseu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Viseu averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Viseu during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Viseu receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Viseu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Viseu. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Viseu 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Viseu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Viseu.
In January, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Viseu. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Viseu fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Viseu. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Viseu receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Viseu. Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets less rain in January than Viseu. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Viseu 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Viseu in the Spring?
Both Viseu and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Viseu in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Viseu fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Viseu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Viseu during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Viseu receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Viseu. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Viseu 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Viseu and Sintra
| Sintra | Viseu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.