A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Sintra-Cascais National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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: Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Sintra-Cascais National Park

The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is located on the west coast of Portugal and is often called the place where "the land ends and the sea begins". The UNESCO listed park is famous for being home to Cabo da Roca, a seaside cliff that is actually the westernmost part of Europe. Sintra-Cascais is interesting due to their large diversity in landscape which includes sand dunes, lakes, forests, and ocean cliffs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra-Cascais National Park or Thessaloniki?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Sintra-Cascais National Park is €142. 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 Thessaloniki and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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.

Hotels in Thessaloniki


Hotels in Sintra-Cascais National Park


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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
  • Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $32
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Thessaloniki Airport - Sani Transfer: $81
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
  • Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Thessaloniki 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 day
    Thessaloniki 42
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
  • Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
  • Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
  • Guided Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
  • Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
  • Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
  • Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
  • E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
  • Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
  • From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
  • Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
  • Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
  • Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207


When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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 Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.

Sintra-Cascais National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)


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