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

Should you visit Volterra or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

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

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.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Volterra is €101, 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 Volterra and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Volterra 61
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Volterra 122
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Volterra and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Volterra 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 Volterra


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Volterra 4.29
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61

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 Volterra or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Volterra 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
    Volterra 36
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Volterra 11
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Volterra 16
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volterra and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Sintra-Cascais National Park is more expensive. And not only is Volterra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volterra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volterra 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-Cascais National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra-Cascais National Park than you might in Volterra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volterra Expensive? and Is Sintra-Cascais National Park Expensive?.



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

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 Volterra or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Sintra-Cascais National Park. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

Volterra is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. In Volterra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volterra usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during summer. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volterra usually receives more rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Volterra 23°C (74°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Volterra is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volterra in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In the autumn, Volterra often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun.

Volterra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Volterra usually gets more rain in October than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Volterra is generally much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 7°C (45°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Volterra usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during winter. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra-Cascais National Park. In January, Volterra usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Volterra 7°C (45°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

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

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Volterra during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Volterra is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Volterra often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets more rain in April than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Volterra 13°C (55°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Volterra

Volterra Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 8°C (47°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 76 mm (3 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (74°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)


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