Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca?
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.
Playa Blanca
Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesPlaya Blanca Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Playa Blanca €188
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Playa Blanca is €188. 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 Playa Blanca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Playa Blanca €81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Playa Blanca €162
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Playa Blanca
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Playa Blanca €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 Playa Blanca?
Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca 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 €73Playa Blanca €77
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Playa Blanca €20
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 Playa Blanca
For Playa Blanca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lanzarote: Playa Blanca to Marina Rubicón Waterbus Ticket: $13
- Lanzarote: Snorkeling Tour: $65
- From Fuerteventura: Playa Blanca Minicruise to Papagayo: $73
- Lanzarote: Try Scuba Diving Experience: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Playa Blanca €9.29
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 Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Sintra Expensive? and Is Playa Blanca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Playa Blanca?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?
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 Sintra or Playa Blanca in the Summer?
Both Playa Blanca and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Playa Blanca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in July than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Playa Blanca.
In October, Sintra is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Playa Blanca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Playa Blanca.
Sintra is cooler than Playa Blanca in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. In the winter, Sintra often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Playa Blanca in the Spring?
Both Playa Blanca and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Sintra is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Sintra
| Sintra | Playa Blanca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.