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

Should you visit Sintra or Trieste?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste? 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 Trieste?

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.

Trieste

Located on the northeast Italian coast next to the Adriatic Sea, Trieste is a city characterized by its European charm, ancient architecture, and striking sea views. Its art, music, history, and culture also take some influence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, boasting many Slavic traditions and empire-era architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Trieste or Sintra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Trieste is €123. 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 Trieste in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Trieste 55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Trieste 110
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Trieste

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Trieste? 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 Trieste


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 Trieste Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Trieste 18

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Trieste

Also for Trieste, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport transfer from Trieste Airport to Koper: $67
  • Small-Group Transfer from Trieste City to Trieste Airport: $80
  • Day trip to Venice by ship with free bus transfer to port: $101
  • Private Transfer from Trieste Cruise Port to Venice or Return: $143
  • Transfer from Koper to Treviso Airport: $150
  • Private transfer from Ilirska Bistrica to Ljubljana city: $166
  • Private Transfer from Koper Port to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $168
  • Private Transfer from Koper Cruise Port to Ljubljana city hotels: $168
  • Private transfer from Trieste to Pula: $171
  • Private direct transfer with local driver from Trieste to Zagreb: $191
  • Transfer from Trieste to Venice Airport: $191
  • Privat Transfer between APT Trieste to Piran / Koper / (Slovenia): $198

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Trieste?

Prices for flights to both Trieste 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
    Trieste 54

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Trieste

For Trieste, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Unique Food Tour with Local Flavors and Tastings: $90
  • Istria - Truffles: Hunting & Cooking & Tasting, Slovenia: $154
  • 5-Course Food Tour with Electric Bikes: $298

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Trieste 22

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 Trieste

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

  • Trieste Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
  • Lisjak Olive Estates Private Tour with Olive Oil Tasting: $12
  • Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $22
  • Panoramic Tour to Piran with Sweet Surprise: $37
  • Family adventure in Koper Winged cat quest: $41
  • Piran Walking Tour with Local Wine and Food Tasting: $42
  • Private tasting experience of Friuli and Istrian wines: $42
  • Wine Fountain Tasting Day Tour from Portoroz: $48
  • Trieste Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $57
  • Prosecco Origins Wine Experience: $66
  • Tour to Postojna and Predjama Castle from Koper: $81
  • Piran Old Town Walking Tour: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Trieste 8.00

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Trieste

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Trieste:

  • Wine Tasting with Cold Cuts: $36
  • Trip to Stanjel castle wine tasting and gourmet lunch 4 courses from Piran: $143
  • Experience Slovenian Coast line with Wine Tasting from Trieste: $182
  • Wine Tour on the Coast: $293


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Trieste, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Trieste much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Trieste would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Trieste 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 Trieste.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Trieste Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Trieste. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Trieste. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Trieste 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Trieste. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Trieste because of the natural beauty of the area.

Sintra is a little warmer than Trieste in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Trieste. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Trieste 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Trieste. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Trieste. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Trieste averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Trieste. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Trieste 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Trieste. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Trieste 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Trieste and Sintra

Sintra Trieste
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)