Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Ericeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ericeira or Essaouira?
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 Essaouira can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ericeira or Essaouira?
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.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
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 Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEriceira €100Essaouira €43
The average daily cost (per person) in Ericeira is €100, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is €43. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ericeira and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEriceira €51Essaouira €24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEriceira €102Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Ericeira and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Ericeira or Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ericeira €25Essaouira €1.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ericeira
Also for Ericeira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer To or From Ericeira: $91
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Ericeira: $91
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer: $80
- Lisbon: Private Transfer between the Airport & Ericeira Area: $75
- Transfer Privado de/para Aeroporto de Lisboa para Ericeira: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $320
- Private Transfer Essaouira - Rabat: $261
- Essaouira : Private Transfer from or to Agafay Desert: $160
- From Private Transfer to Taghazout or Agadir: $149
- Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $138
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $127
- From Private Transfer to Marrakech: $123
- Airport transfer, Departure : Essaouira, Arrival : Agadir: $118
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech : $102
- Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech : $95
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $93
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira : $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Ericeira or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Ericeira change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayEriceira €25Essaouira €13
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava€1.31
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Breakfast Crepes€0.47
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Fish for Lunch€14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $54
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ericeira €26Essaouira €11
Tours and Activities in Ericeira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ericeira.
- Custom-Tailored Immersive Photo Experiences: $48
- Ericeira Private Tour: Hidden Gastronomic Gems with lunch: $106
- Highlights & Culinary Kickstart of Ericeira | PRIVATE Tour: $71
- Lisbon: Wellington's Defensive Lines Tour: $384
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $70
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $58
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $56
- Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $43
- Essaouira : 1H quad bike tour and 1H camel ride: $56
- Essaouira : Half-day E-Experience from Mountains to Sea: $128
- Essaouira Adventure Full-Day Excursion from Marakech: $47
- Essaouira Exclusive Dune Buggy Adventure: $163
- Essaouira Guided Tour: 3 on 1 - Nightlife tour, Live like a local & Street food: $65
- Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour: $65
- Essaouira Tour - Half day visit to berber market : $56
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEriceira €17Essaouira €8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Ericeira
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ericeira:
- Portuguese Wine Tasting - 4 Wines: $43
- Private Portuguese Wine Tasting - 4 Wines & Snacks: $61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ericeira and Essaouira, we can see that Ericeira is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ericeira is in Europe and Essaouira is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Ericeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ericeira than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ericeira Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Essaouira?
Essaouira has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Essaouira, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.