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

Should you visit Ericeira or Messina?

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

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Messina?

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.

Messina

Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Messina, 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 Messina?

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 Messina in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Messina. Additionally, many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ericeira is cooler than Messina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ericeira in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Messina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the summer, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 19°C (66°F), and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Messina during autumn. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. In October, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Messina. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ericeira or Messina in the Winter?

Both Messina and Ericeira during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Messina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ericeira is around the same temperature as Messina in the winter. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Messina. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Messina. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Messina in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Messina. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In the spring, Ericeira is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ericeira in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Messina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Messina during spring. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of rain as Messina. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Messina and Ericeira