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

Should you visit Sintra or Los Cristianos?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Los Cristianos? 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 Los Cristianos?

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.

Los Cristianos

Picture your ultimate beach vacation. It probably consists of sand, sun and the most pristine resorts to pamper and spoil you. You've just dreamed up a place that actually exists - Los Cristianos. Located in the south of the Canary Island of Tenerife, Los Cristianos is one of the most popular tourist centers in this area, and for good reason. This area knows how to treat vacationers. The sea is a way of life in this area of the world, and that's apparent everywhere you look. Harbor tours, fishing trips and dolphin watching excursions are being advertised everywhere you look - all ready to give you the Los Cristianos experience.

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 in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Los Cristianos or Sintra?

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

  • Sintra Prices
    Portugal Prices
    Los Cristianos Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sintra 146
    Los Cristianos 152

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Los Cristianos is €152. 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 Los Cristianos in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Los Cristianos? 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 Los Cristianos


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 Los Cristianos Hotel Prices.

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

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 Sintra or Los Cristianos?

Prices for flights to both Los Cristianos 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
    Los Cristianos 65

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.
    Sintra 23
    Los Cristianos 23

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

Tours and Activities in Los Cristianos

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

  • Camel Experience: $4.70
  • Paddle Surf & Snorkeling Experience in Playa de las Américas: $35
  • Unforgettable snorkeling tours with turtles: $59
  • Tenerife: Electric Paddle Board Adventure Awaits: $65
  • VESPA TOUR TENERIFE+BOAT TOUR CLIFFS OF THE GIANTS+BATH +LUNCH: $170

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Los Cristianos 7.14

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 comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Los Cristianos, we can see that Los Cristianos 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 Los Cristianos Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Los Cristianos?

Sintra has a larger population, and is about 1140 times larger than the population of Los Cristianos. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Los Cristianos, 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.