Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Heraklion or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Sintra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Heraklion or Sintra?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
-
Heraklion Prices
Greece PricesSintra Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €195Sintra €146
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €195, while the average daily cost in Sintra is €146. 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 Heraklion and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Sintra €57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Sintra €114
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Sintra? 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Sintra €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Shared Transfer From or To Heraklion Air - Hersonissos: $18
- From Voulisma Beach Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $36
- Crete Private Transfer to&from Heraklion Airport Port all Crete: $40
- Private Transfer from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Heraklion Port: $41
- Heraklion Airport (HER) to Heraklion - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to Gouves area up to 7 customers: $49
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $56
- Transfer Airport to HERAKLION CITY CENTER OR PORT area up to 7 : $66
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AMMOUDARA HERAKLION area up to 7: $66
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to ANISSARAS area up to 7 customers: $67
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $87
- Private transfer from Heraklion airport to Ag. Nikolaos: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $269
- Transfer From Lisboa to Nazaré: $132
- Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $299
- Transfer From Lisboa To Faro Algarve: $299
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $119
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $107
- Tours and Transfers: $98
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $89
- Private Transfer To & From Lisbon: $35
- Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
- Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
- Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Heraklion 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 dayHeraklion €90Sintra €73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Crete: Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $34
- Troy Dinner-Show: $36
- Crete : Cooking Lessons In Lasithi Plateau: $45
- Hersonissos: Spectacular Dinner Show Ticket: $47
- Cretan Village Feast, Live Music, Dancers & Local Dinner: $54
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $76
- Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $78
- Dia Island Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $80
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $99
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $105
- Jeep Tour Psiloritis the Mountain of Gods & Cooking Lesson: $114
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $135
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Lisbon Countryside Food Tour on Vintage Car: $103
- Boho Chic Picnic Dinner with Water Views: $109
- DINNER OR TAPAS in a Poruguese Home : $113
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience: $120
- Pastel de Nata or Portuguese Cooking Class in Sintra with Locals: $140
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Sintra €23
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $9.58
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $12
- Video Games Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $14
- Archaeological Museum Ticket with City Audio Tour: $19
- Crete: Day Tour to Heraklion City, Market & CRETAquarium: $21
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $22
- Heraklion Museum Ticket and City Audio Tour: $22
- Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour: $23
- Αrchaeological Museum of Herakleion Entry Ticket: $24
- Minoan Day Experience: $24
- E-Ticket to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Audio Guide: $26
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- E-Bike Self Guided Tour Sintra & Cabo da Roca : $57
- 19th Century Photography Experience: $48
- 2 Hours Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Sintra: $78
- 4 hour tour | Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca: $66
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $167
- Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Boat tour: charming Cascais Coast to Lisbon lighthouse: $57
- Cascais Coastal EBike Tour: $66
- Cascais Coastal Secrets 90 Minute Cruise with Free Wine and Beer: $57
- Cascais Electric Bike Tour Self-Guided Half-Day Experience: $72
- Cascais to Lisbon Sunset Cruise with Open Bar: $57
- Cascais: Glamour and Decay by The Lisbon Coastline - Private Tour: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Sintra €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Organic Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tour: $40
- Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $41
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $100
- Walking city tour & Wine tasting: $100
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $104
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with Wine Tastings: $150
- Ecobike-Knossos Palace-Wine tasting-Olive oil tasting: $180
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $198
- Olive oil and Wine Tour with Lunch: $235
- Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $237
- From Villages and Vines A Scenic Wine Tasting Journey: $289
- Guided Tour Palace of Knossos & Archanes Wine Tasting Tour: $416
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: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour: $89
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $90
- From Sintra, Mafra, or Ericeira: Hike and Wine Tour: $100
- Lisbon Region Wine Tour: Mafra & Ericeira + Hotel Pick-Up: $197
- PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $233
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $316
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Sintra, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Sintra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Sintra?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Sintra, 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 Heraklion or Sintra?
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 Heraklion or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Sintra. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Sintra. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Autumn?
Both Sintra and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Heraklion is around the same temperature as Sintra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sintra. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Sintra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Sintra. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sintra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Sintra. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sintra. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.