Which place is cheaper, Palermo 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 Palermo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Palermo? 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 Palermo?
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.
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesPalermo Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Palermo €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Palermo is €114. 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 Palermo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Palermo €56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Palermo €112
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Palermo
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Palermo? 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 Palermo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Palermo €5.64
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
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Bus to Monreale€3.00
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Bus From Airport€6.00
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90 Minute Bus Pass€1.30
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Short Taxi Ride€4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Palazzo Brunaccini or vice versa: $41
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to the Astoria Palace Hotel or vice versa : $48
- Eurostars Centrale Palace - Palermo Airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $48
- Quintocanto Hotel & Spa to Palermo Airport, Private Transfer: $53
- Palermo Cruise Port to Palermo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Splendid Hotel la Torre to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $54
- Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $55
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Artemisia Palace Hotel or vice versa: $56
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Porta Felice or vice versa: $56
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Excelsior Palace or vice versa: $56
- Palermo airport transfer to Grand Hotel et des Palmes: $56
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Palazzo Sitano or vice versa: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Palermo?
Prices for flights to both Palermo 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 €73Palermo €51
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 Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€32
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Fast Food Lunch€5.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
- Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
- Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
- Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
- Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
- Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
- Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
- Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
- Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Palermo €17
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
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Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)€6.00
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Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)€12
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Theater Tickets (for Two)€49
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- Palermo Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.77
- Skip the Line in Museum of Marionette Antonio Pasqualino: $10
- Zisa Palace Entry Ticket: $18
- Palatine Chapel Entry Ticket, Audio App & optional Norman Palace: $30
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
- Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily: $39
- Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
- Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
- Palermo : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $54
- Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food: $54
- Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Palermo €11
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
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Beer€2.56
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Bottle of Quality Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
- Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Palermo, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Palermo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Palermo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Palermo?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Palermo, 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 Palermo?
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 Palermo in the Summer?
Both Palermo and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Palermo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives more rain than Palermo. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Palermo 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palermo in the Autumn?
Both Palermo and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Palermo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Palermo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Palermo fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Palermo. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Palermo 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palermo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Palermo. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Palermo this time of year.
In the winter, Sintra is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Palermo averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Palermo during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 133 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 Palermo. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Palermo 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Palermo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Palermo. Also, many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Palermo. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Palermo 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Palermo and Sintra
| Sintra | Palermo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 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.