Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sintra or Ouarzazate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate?
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.
Ouarzazate
Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesOuarzazate Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Ouarzazate €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is €51. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Ouarzazate €20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Ouarzazate €40
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Ouarzazate
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Ouarzazate? 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: Sintra Hotel Prices and Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Ouarzazate €3.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $66
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $30
- Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47
- Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
- Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
- Private Transfer To & From Lisbon: $35
- 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 Faro Algarve: $299
- Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $299
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€1.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Ouarzazate?
Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
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Food Meals for one daySintra €73Ouarzazate €26
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
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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Dinner for Two€10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.
- Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Ouarzazate €9.97
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 Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
- Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
- Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $42
- Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
- Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
- Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
- Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
- Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
- 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
- Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Ouarzazate -
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 Sintra and Ouarzazate, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sintra is in Europe and Ouarzazate is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Ouarzazate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Ouarzazate?
Ouarzazate has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Ouarzazate, 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.
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.