A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cape Sounion vs. Ericeira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Ericeira?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Ericeira? 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: Cape Sounion or Ericeira?

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion encompasses the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula of Greece with views of the sea wherever you go. The land of the mythological god Poseidon, Sounion's striking promontory houses his temple that still stands today. It overlooks the Aegean Sea, which was named for King Aegeus of Athens. Aegeus had leapt off of these very cliffs thinking his son Theseus had been killed by the Minotaur of Crete. The promontory and temple are very significant to Greek mythology and history, and was even referenced in Homer's poem, the Odyssey.

Ericeira

Beneath an indigo sky, a city perches at the edge of sandstone cliffs that overlook the vast expanse of the Atlantic. A seaside resort and fishing community, Ericeira is located in western Portugal within the municipality of Mafra. A picturesque village, Ericeira is quaint, quiet, and absolutely breathtaking with a population of no more than 10,260. Because of its blue waters and pristine coastlines, it has been named the Surfing Mecca of Europe. The town was a famous summer retreat for the families of Lisbon during the 1940s and 1950s and still remains so today for families beyond Lisbon's borders. Ericeira also has a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and second in the world. Besides the many beaches on Ericeira, including Ribeira d'Ilhas, Pescadores, and Mataduoro, the town also has a park called Parque de Santa Maria as well as an old town center that has a collection of cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also some important landmarks that can be explored as no more than a brief visit, such as Forte Mil Regos and Casa De Cultura Jaime Lobo E. Silvs. Whether you are a surfer, fisher, or simply a lover of the beach, Ericeira is the perfect place for those who wish to experience the Atlantic like never before.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Ericeira?

Ericeira has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion and Ericeira, 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 Cape Sounion or Ericeira?

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 Cape Sounion or Ericeira in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Ericeira. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year.

Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Ericeira in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ericeira fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ericeira during summer. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Ericeira receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cape Sounion usually receives more rain than Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ericeira receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Ericeira in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Ericeira. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cape Sounion is around the same temperature as Ericeira. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Sounion in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Ericeira averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Sounion this time of the year. In the autumn, Cape Sounion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ericeira receives 213 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in October than Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ericeira receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Ericeira in the Winter?

Both Ericeira and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Cape Sounion is generally cooler than Ericeira. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 10°C (51°F), and Ericeira fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Cape Sounion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ericeira during winter. Cape Sounion gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Ericeira receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. In January, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ericeira receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Ericeira in the Spring?

Both Ericeira and Cape Sounion during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cape Sounion for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Cape Sounion is around the same temperature as Ericeira in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Ericeira fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Sounion. In the spring, Cape Sounion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ericeira receives 235 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in April than Ericeira. Cape Sounion gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ericeira receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ericeira and Cape Sounion