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

Should you visit Ericeira or Caen?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ericeira and Caen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Caen?

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.

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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ericeira and Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Ericeira Expensive? and Is Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Caen, 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 Ericeira or Caen?

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 Ericeira or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Caen. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ericeira is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ericeira in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Caen. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Caen. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Caen because of the city's sights and attractions.

In October, Ericeira is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 19°C (66°F), and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Caen. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Caen in the winter. Ericeira is much warmer than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ericeira. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Caen. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Ericeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Ericeira is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ericeira in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the spring, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Caen. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Ericeira