Is Sintra expensive to visit?
Sintra is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
Sintra can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $67 (€62) per day, mid-range travelers spend $159 (€146) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $336 (€310) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Sintra.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Sintra is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Chartres or Urbino.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sintra Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sintra?
The average Sintra trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sintra travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Sintra cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Sintra. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
The Truth on Budget Travel
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $67 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Thankfully, Sintra is filled with plenty of hostels, such as Casa Azul Hostel, Moon Hill Hostel, and Oasis Backpackers' Hostel Sintra Surf. Staying in these hostels means you can enjoy low-cost dorm accommodation and a fun social atmosphere, although amenities may be basic.
Do You Identify as an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Most visitors to Sintra will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $159 per person, per day.
Sintra offers a fantastic variety of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, which can help save money. Families should focus on hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Sintra Boutique Hotel is an excellent choice, while Hotel Nova Sintra is also a great option. To find more accommodations that are family and couple-friendly, check our hotel guide for Sintra.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for an all encompassing trip with every amenity and a higher level of service, then prepare yourself for a price tag closer to $336 per day. To stay in a nicer hotel, eat at award winning restaurants, splurge on extravagant excursions, and take taxis or private drivers to get around the destination, you'll need to be prepared for a more "luxury" set of prices. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private Tour Sintra Palaces/Cabo da Roca - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Sintra
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Sintra can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Sintra in the off-season is $110, but in the peak travel season it will average around $205. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Sintra to range from $68 to $444. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Sintra for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $129 (€113). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $64 (€57) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sintra? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Sintra include:
- Quinta de Sao Tadeu starting at $149
- Sintra Boutique Hotel starting at $106
- Quinta Verde Sintra starting at $81
- Casa do Vinho Sintra Guest House starting at $73
- Paco do Bispo Boutique House starting at $131
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than , will allow you to find cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Sintra
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $24 (€21) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sintra. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Sintra is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$24
€21
It is possible to reach Sintra from Lisbon by either train or bus. If you choose to take the train, then do take note that the Sintra train station is about a twenty minute walk from the town center. You want to avoid driving to Sintra, particularly during holiday weekends, because parking can be quite challenging. If you do arrive with a car, then there are several parking lots that are just below the town. It is best to park in one of these and walk into town. Once you arrive in town, then you can easily navigate the area with the bus system and on foot. It is possible to walk everywhere, but do be warned that there are some steep hills, particularly between the Palacio da Pena and the Castelo dos Mouros. There's a convenient bus route, the circular route 434 that takes you by most of the city's sights. It's reasonably priced as you can buy a day pass for only 5 euros. Buses arrive every fifteen minutes and only travel in one direction. It can become crowded so you may have to wait for awhile before a bus with enough room arrives.
There's also a nice walking trail that starts above the city center and goes through the woods to the Moorish Castle. Grab a map at the tourist information center before you head off as the trail head can be hard to find. After you reach the castle, then continue on a few more minutes and you'll find the Palacio.
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Transfer in Cascais to Lisbon Airport for $64 details
- Private Transfer from Cascais/Sintra to Lisbon Airport for $57 details
- Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon for $64 details
How much does it cost to go to Sintra? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sintra will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Sintra
Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Sintra can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Sintra is $83 (€73) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$83
€73
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Sintra is around $79 (€73) per person, with previous travelers spending from $33 to $172. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Sintra are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $24
- Lunch: $12 to $32
- Dinner: $24 to $56
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $12
There are a handful of good restaurants throughout Sintra. Some are popular with tourists and priced accordingly, so it is best to find a more local joint as it is more likely to have delicious food at a reasonable price. There are also a few cafes and places to grab a drink if you're looking for a place to rest your feet. In addition to traditional Portuguese food you will also find Asian and Italian restaurants, among other options.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Keep a water bottle with you to cut down on drink purchases. It's also better for the environment.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Sintra. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS for $110 details
- Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min) for $110 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Sintra
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Sintra typically cost an average of $26 (€23) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
€23
There are a good number of sights around town that are worth checking out. The Quinta da Regaleira is a beautiful palace and gardens that is worth a couple of hours of time. There is, of course, the Royal Palace and the Pena Palace, as well as the Moorish Castle. Pena Park is located just by Pena Palace. This forested park area surrounds the Palace and has over 2,000 different plant species. Many of them are not native to Portugal. Some of the species are marked by signs. You can take one path to the statue of King Fernando II standing on a rock out crop. This point can also be seen from the palace. For stunning views of the palace, follow the second path to the southern view point.
If you've had your fill of palaces and castles you can head over to the Toy Museum. For only 3 euros you can see their over 20,000 exhibits. It's great entertainment for adults and children alike.
In addition to exploring the surrounding area and walking around the town's historic center, shopping is a popular activity activity in Sintra. There are many souvenirs available around town. Porto wine is for sale at many of the shops in the historic district. There are also ceramics, artwork and handicrafts available. In particular, cork products are unique to the area. You can find everything from wallets to umbrellas and they make an interesting gift for friends and family.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Sintra. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Setúbal & Arrábida: Full Day Tour – Wine and Nature for $138 details
- Sintra Private Full Day Tour for $174 details
- PRIVATE Tour from Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais for $220 details
Sintra, Portugal
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.