Which place is cheaper, Zaragoza or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Zaragoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Zaragoza? 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 Zaragoza?
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.
Zaragoza
As the sun slips below the horizon, the night is greeted by the familiar glow of the exquisite cathedral Basilica del Pilar that stands above the city like a shimmering castle. This city is none other than Zaragoza, Spain, the capital city of the Zaragoza province in Aragon, Spain. Overlooking the Ebro River, Zaragoza has a population of 701,090, ranking the 32nd most populated municipality in the European Union. Zaragoza has attracted travelers from all across the world, causing the city to host the Expo in the summer of 2008 and also stand as a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Besides its glimmering cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its rich history in folklore, local gastronomy, as well as hosting the well-known Fiestas del Pilar, the most celebrated of festivals in Spain.
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 Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Zaragoza €126
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Zaragoza is €126. 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 Zaragoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Zaragoza €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Zaragoza €130
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Zaragoza
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Zaragoza? 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 Zaragoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Zaragoza €23
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 Zaragoza
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zaragoza:
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) to Zaragoza Downtown hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Zaragoza Downtown hotels to Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) to Zaragoza Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Private transfers Airport-hotel Zaragoza.: $66
- Zaragoza Private Transfer from Zaragoza Airport to City centre: $66
- Zaragoza Private Transfer from the city centre to Zaragoza Airport: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Zaragoza?
Prices for flights to both Zaragoza 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 €42Zaragoza €41
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 Zaragoza
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zaragoza.
- Midday Market Tour and Spanish Cooking Class: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Zaragoza €35
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 Zaragoza
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zaragoza are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.28
- Zaragoza Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.75
- Zaragoza Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.94
- Zaragoza : Aquarium entry ticket: $19
- Zaragoza Aquarium Admission Ticket: $20
- Combo Amusement Park and Aquarium entry ticket: $33
- Kayaking in Fluvial EcoTourism with ebroNAUTAS: $44
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $48
- Zaragoza : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Zaragoza €14
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 Zaragoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zaragoza:
- Wine Tasting and Tapas: $102
- Wine Tasting and Tapas in the ancient Town of Zaragoza: $104
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Zaragoza, we can see that Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Zaragoza?
Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?
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 Zaragoza in the Summer?
Both Zaragoza and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Zaragoza 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zaragoza in the Autumn?
Both Zaragoza and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Zaragoza in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Zaragoza 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zaragoza in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Zaragoza. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sintra is a little warmer than Zaragoza. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Zaragoza during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Zaragoza 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Zaragoza in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Zaragoza. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Zaragoza. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Zaragoza 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Sintra
| Sintra | Zaragoza | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 39 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 26 mm (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.