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

Should you visit Ericeira or Calais?

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 Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Calais?

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.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Calais?

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

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 Ericeira or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Calais. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ericeira is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the summer, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Calais. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Ericeira is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ericeira in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Calais. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ericeira or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Ericeira during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. In January, Ericeira is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Calais. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Calais. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Ericeira is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Calais. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Ericeira