Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Zagreb?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb?
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.
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Zagreb €77
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is €77. 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 Zagreb in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Zagreb €48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Zagreb €96
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Zagreb
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Zagreb €9.08
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 Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $6.95
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Zagreb to Franjo Tudman Airport(ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $20
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $32
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $41
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43
- Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Train or Bus Station by car or van: $47
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by Business Car: $47
- Private Transfer: Zagreb to Zagreb International Airport (ZAG): $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Zagreb?
Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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 €42Zagreb €16
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 Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $952
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Zagreb €12
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 Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.28
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.49
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $19
- City Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & WW2 Tunnels: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Zagreb €8.90
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 Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
- Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Zagreb, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Zagreb?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?
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 Zagreb in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Zagreb. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zagreb this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Zagreb 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zagreb in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Zagreb. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Zagreb. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Zagreb. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zagreb in the Winter?
Both Zagreb and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. Sintra is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Zagreb 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zagreb in the Spring?
Both Zagreb and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Zagreb. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zagreb and Sintra
| Sintra | Zagreb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.