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

Should you visit Ericeira or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a city in France, on the Sarthe River. Le Mans is found about 80 kilometers north of Tours, and south of Alencon. To many of course, Le Mans is famous only for a 24 hour racing event once a year. If you are not interested in cars and car racing, it is best to avoid visiting Le Mans in the middle of June. However, Le Mans also has a fantastic old town and is well worth the visit. Known as the Cite Plantagenet, this is where in 1129 Geoffrey Plantagenet married Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England and gave birth to Henry II.

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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ericeira and Le Mans, we can see that Ericeira is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Le Mans.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ericeira Expensive? and Is Le Mans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

Both Le Mans and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

In the summer, Ericeira is a little warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ericeira in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Le Mans averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Le Mans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Ericeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ericeira is generally much warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 19°C (66°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Le Mans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Le Mans. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. Ericeira is much warmer than Le Mans in the winter. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ericeira gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Le Mans. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Ericeira is much warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ericeira in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Le Mans averages at about 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the spring, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than Le Mans. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Ericeira