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

Should you visit Ericeira or Playa Blanca?

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 Playa Blanca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Playa Blanca?

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.

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Playa Blanca?

Playa Blanca has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?

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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Playa Blanca.

In July, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Playa Blanca during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Playa Blanca.

Ericeira is cooler than Playa Blanca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa Blanca in the Winter?

Both Playa Blanca and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Ericeira is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. Ericeira usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ericeira. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa Blanca in the Spring?

Both Playa Blanca and Ericeira during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Ericeira is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the spring, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than Playa Blanca. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Ericeira