A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Girona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Girona?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Girona? 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 Girona?

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.

Girona

Girona is an ancient town in northeastern Spain, and serves as the capital of the province of the same name in Spain's Catalonia region. It is characterized by narrow medieval alleys, architecture, and an impressive wall that once served to fortify the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Girona or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Girona is €170. 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 Girona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Girona 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Girona 138
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Girona

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Girona? 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 Sintra


Hotels in Girona


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 Girona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Girona 49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $30
  • Private Transfer To & From Lisbon: $35
  • Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47
  • Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $66
  • Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $89
  • Tours and Transfers: $98
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $107
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $119
  • Transfer From Lisboa to Nazaré: $132
  • Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
  • Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $269

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Girona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Girona:

  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Palamós - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
  • Palamós to Girona Airport (GRO) - Departure Private Transfer : $80
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Costa Brava - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Palamós - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
  • Girona Airport (GRO) to Costa Brava - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
  • Palamós to Barcelona Airport (BNC) - Departure Private Transfer: $292

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Girona?

Prices for flights to both Girona 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 73
    Girona 71

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Girona

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Girona.

  • Girona Morning Food Tour & Local Market: $106
  • Girona Evening Food Tour and Tapas Bar Experience: $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Girona 24

Tours and Activities in Sintra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:

  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.49
  • Spy Nest in Estoril: Self-Guided Cold War Puzzle Adventure: $7.15
  • Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket: $12
  • Frigate D. Fernando II e Glória Warship Entry Ticket: $12
  • Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Convent of the Capuchos Fast Track Entry Ticket: $13
  • Monserrate Palace & Park Ticket: $14
  • Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Ticket: $14
  • National Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Ticket: $15
  • National Sintra Palace E-Ticket and Audio Guide: $17
  • Palace of Monserrate Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry Ticket: $18
  • Pena Palace Entry Visit Ticket Experience: $20

Tours and Activities in Girona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Girona are as follows:

  • Self Guided Girona Game of Thrones Audio Tour with Mobile App: $5.77
  • Entrance ticket to the Girona Art Museum: $7.16
  • CG Gallery Lloret Ticket and Pass by Sergei Potetiunin: $11
  • Girona City Tour Self-guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (no ticket): $12
  • Ticket pass to Girona Cathedral, Sant Felix and Girona Art Museum: $14
  • Castell de Lloret Castle Entry Ticket: $21
  • Awaken the Adventure! Kayak at 8am: $30
  • One Hour Game of Thrones Tour: $33
  • Game of Thrones Girona Walking Tour: $33
  • Cadaqués Swimming Adventure: $36
  • Cadaqués Tour 1 hour stop and Super Vision underwater : $36
  • Girona History, Legends, and Food Walking Tour with food tasting: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Girona 9.69

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Girona

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

  • Vineyard walk and wine tasting in l’Empordà: $31
  • Horseback Ride and Wine Tasting Adventure: $107


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Girona, we can see that Girona 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 Girona Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Girona during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Girona. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Girona 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Girona. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Girona. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Girona 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Girona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Girona. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sintra is much warmer than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Girona during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 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 Girona. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Girona 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Girona. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Girona. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Girona 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Girona and Sintra

Sintra Girona
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 21°C (70°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (47°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)