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

Should you visit Chartres or Costa de Prata?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Costa de Prata? 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: Chartres or Costa de Prata?

Chartres

Chartres is a city in north-central France southwest of Paris. It is famed for its massive Cathedrale Notre-Dame. The well-preserved Gothic cathedral, completed in 1220, features 2 towering spires, Romanesque sculptures and elaborate rose windows. The cathedral is unique in that it has two very different steeples – one Gothic, the other Romanesque. Follow them to check out the cathedral's dazzling blue stained-glass windows and its collection of relics, including the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which have lured pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The nearby Centre International du Vitrail has workshops and exhibits on stained-glass art. Chartres also had a carefully preserved old city, which is adjacent to the cathedral with staircases and steep streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses leading downhill to the narrow western channel of the Eure River, romantically spanned by footbridges.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Chartres and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres 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 Chartres.

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

When is the best time to visit Chartres 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 Chartres or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Costa de Prata. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is cooler than Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chartres usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Costa de Prata. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the autumn, Chartres is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Costa de Prata. Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Costa de Prata and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In January, Chartres is generally much colder than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. In January, Chartres usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Costa de Prata and Chartres during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm.

Chartres is cooler than Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Costa de Prata, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Costa de Prata. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Chartres