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

Should you visit Ericeira or Varenna?

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 Varenna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Varenna?

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.

Varenna

A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!

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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Varenna?

Ericeira has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Varenna, 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Varenna. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than Varenna. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Varenna. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ericeira is a little warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ericeira this time of the year. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Ericeira usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

It's quite cold in Varenna in the winter. In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ericeira. In January, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Varenna. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Ericeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Varenna for the natural beauty.

In April, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the spring, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ericeira usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Ericeira