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

Should you visit Ericeira or Playa del Ingles?

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 del Ingles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Playa del Ingles?

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 del Ingles

Translating to "Englishman's Beach," Playa del Ingles is a sea resort located on the south coast of the Gran Canaria island of Spain's Canary Islands. Since the 1960s it has been built up to accommodate tourists from around the world, especially from Europe. Some of the most popular attractions include an abundance of bars and clubs as well as beachside activities like swimming, surfing, scuba, and snorkeling.

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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Playa del Ingles?

Playa del Ingles has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Playa del Ingles, 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 del Ingles?

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 del Ingles in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Ericeira is around the same temperature as Playa del Ingles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ericeira in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Ingles this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Ingles during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa del Ingles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Playa del Ingles.

In October, Ericeira is generally cooler than Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 19°C (66°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Ingles. 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 del Ingles. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 213 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Ingles. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa del Ingles in the Winter?

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

Ericeira is cooler than Playa del Ingles in the winter. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Ericeira usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 187 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ericeira. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Playa del Ingles in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Ericeira is cooler than Playa del Ingles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ericeira in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Playa del Ingles, 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 del Ingles. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 225 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Ingles. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Playa del Ingles and Ericeira