Which place is cheaper, Volterra or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Volterra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Volterra? 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 Volterra?
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.
Volterra
Located in Tuscany, Volterra has an interesting history and impressive sights for travelers who want to see more of the Tuscan region than the popular city of Florence. The town was originally a Neolithic settlement and is believed to have been continuously inhabited since the end of the 8th century BC. It was a bishop's residence during the 5th century and then an episcopal power during the 12th century. It was later conquered by the Florentines but opposition to their rule led to much rebellion.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Volterra €101
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Volterra is €101. 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 Volterra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Volterra €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Volterra €122
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Volterra
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Volterra? 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 Volterra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Volterra €4.29
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 Volterra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Volterra:
- Private Transfer from San Gimignano to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Volterra?
Prices for flights to both Volterra 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 €42Volterra €36
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 Volterra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Volterra.
- Buffet dinner at the farm: $49
- Dining experience at a local's home in San Gimignano with show cooking: $93
- Volterra - Olive oil tasting with lunch with lunch or dinner: $112
- Pizza Cooking Class: $112
- Fresh Pasta Cooking Class: $112
- "Hands in dough" Cooking Class with Lunch: $120
- Tuscan Cooking Class: $126
- Tuscany: Wine Tasting Lunch or Dinner: $128
- Winery Cave Dinner & Tasting in Tuscany - Romantic & Lovely : $137
- Fiorentina Steak Dinner & Wine Tasting: $164
- Cooking class, wine tasting and 2500 year old granaries: $175
- Cooking Classes in Tuscany among the Chianti Vineyards: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Volterra €11
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 Volterra
Here are a few actual costs in Volterra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cesani Wine Experience: $33
- Private Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Wine, Evo Oil & Meal: $69
- Cocktail Mixing Experience with Snacks: $75
- Chianti and Castle Small Group Tour from San Gimignano: $93
- San Gimignano, Volterra, St Galgano Abbey small group tour: $149
- Private Tour in San Gimignano: $150
- Volterra tour + Salt Mine visit by shuttle from Lucca&Pisa: $159
- Piazza dei Priori & Cathedral Private Walking Tour: $160
- Truffle Lunch & Hunting Experience in San Gimignano: $180
- Volterra - Archeotour by e-bike with tasting: $187
- Tuscany: Volterra Truffle Hunting Experience: $203
- Private Tour: San Gimignano Walking Tour: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Volterra €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 Volterra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Volterra:
- San Gimignano: Chianti wine tasting : $33
- Casa Emma Wine Tasting : $34
- Gourmet Wine Tour San Gimignano Wine Tasting - San Quirico Winery: $36
- 5 Wine Tastings in San Gimignano: $60
- Lunch with Wine Tasting: $60
- "Gourmet" Wine Tasting at Cesani's: $66
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $71
- Vineyard Walk & Wine Tasting in Tuscany: $115
- Brunello Wine Tasting from San Gimignano: $130
- Exclusive evening wine tasting at organic winery : $218
- Chianti e-bike tour from Florence with wine tasting: $284
- Private Excursion: Volterra & San Gimignano+wine tastings: $289
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Volterra, 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 Volterra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Volterra?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Volterra, 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 Volterra?
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 Volterra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Volterra. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Volterra in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Volterra during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Volterra. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Volterra 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Volterra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Volterra. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than Volterra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Volterra averages at about 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Volterra. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 177 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Volterra. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Volterra. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Volterra 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Volterra in the Winter?
Both Volterra and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Volterra during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Volterra. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Volterra 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Volterra in the Spring?
Both Volterra and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
Sintra is a little warmer than Volterra in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Volterra. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Volterra. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Volterra 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Volterra and Sintra
| Sintra | Volterra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 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.