Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Ericeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ericeira or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ericeira or Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEriceira €100Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Ericeira is €100, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEriceira €51Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEriceira €102Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Ericeira and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Ericeira or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ericeira €25Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ericeira
Also for Ericeira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Ericeira: $91
- Transfer Privado de/para Aeroporto de Lisboa para Ericeira: $47
- Private Transfer To or From Ericeira: $91
- Lisbon: Private Transfer between the Airport & Ericeira Area: $75
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Ericeira or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 €25Lake Garda €42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ericeira €26Lake Garda €30
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: $385
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
- Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
- Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
- Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
- Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
- Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
- Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
- From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEriceira €17Lake Garda €19
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ericeira and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ericeira or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Lake Garda. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEriceira 23°C (73°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Lake Garda. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
Ericeira is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°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 Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.
Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEriceira 19°C (66°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Lake Garda. In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Ericeira. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEriceira 12°C (53°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Lake Garda in the Spring?
Both Lake Garda and Ericeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the spring, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.
Ericeira usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEriceira 16°C (60°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Ericeira
| Ericeira | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
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.