A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Caen vs. Costa de Prata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Caen or Costa de Prata?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Costa de Prata. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Caen or Costa de Prata?

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caen and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Costa de Prata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Costa de Prata than you might in Caen.

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

When is the best time to visit Caen or Costa de Prata?

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 Caen or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

Both Costa de Prata and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Costa de Prata. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

Both Costa de Prata and Caen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In October, Caen is generally cooler than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun.

Costa de Prata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caen usually gets less rain in October than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Costa de Prata. Many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Caen is much colder than Costa de Prata in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Costa de Prata receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Caen as well as Costa de Prata. Most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Caen is much colder than Costa de Prata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. In the spring, Caen often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Costa de Prata. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Caen