A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ericeira vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Ericeira has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In July, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the summer, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Ericeira is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Ericeira during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Ericeira is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Ericeira