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

Should you visit Ericeira or Saint-Etienne?

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

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Saint-Etienne?

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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Ericeira and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Saint-Etienne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Ericeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ericeira is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Saint-Etienne. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 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 Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

In April, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°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 Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint-Etienne. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Ericeira