A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Ericeira vs. Sintra-Cascais National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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 Sintra-Cascais National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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.

Sintra-Cascais National Park

The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is located on the west coast of Portugal and is often called the place where "the land ends and the sea begins". The UNESCO listed park is famous for being home to Cabo da Roca, a seaside cliff that is actually the westernmost part of Europe. Sintra-Cascais is interesting due to their large diversity in landscape which includes sand dunes, lakes, forests, and ocean cliffs.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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 Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Ericeira during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Ericeira is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ericeira in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the summer, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Sintra-Cascais National Park.

In October, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 19°C (66°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park.

Ericeira is around the same temperature as Sintra-Cascais National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ericeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

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

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Ericeira