Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sintra or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Santillana? 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 Santillana?
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.
Santillana
A quaint town outside of Santander in northern Spain, Santillana de Mar is renowned for its medieval architecture. One of Spain's prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets are lined with palaces, churches, and balconies full of flowers. There are plenty of traditional shops selling local specialties, and it is nearby the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves for something a little different.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.
-
Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesSantillana Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Santillana €127
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €127. 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 Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Santillana €60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Santillana? 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 Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Santillana €17
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana 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 daySintra €73Santillana €53
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 Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
-
Breakfast€7.00
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Santillana €23
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 Santillana
Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Walking Tour of Santillana del Mar: $215
- Private Walking Tour of Altamira and Neocave Museum: $239
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Santillana €4.29
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 comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Santillana, we can see that Sintra 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 Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Santillana?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Santillana, 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 Santillana?
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 Santillana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Santillana.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Santillana. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Santillana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Santillana.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Santillana in the Winter?
Both Santillana and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Sintra is a little warmer than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives less rain than Santillana. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Santillana in the Spring?
Both Santillana and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Sintra
| Sintra | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 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.