A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mont-Saint-Michel vs. Costa de Prata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel and Costa de Prata can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata?

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises in France, The Best Bicycle Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Mont-Saint-Michel and Costa de Prata, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive? and Is Costa de Prata Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mont-Saint-Michel as well as Costa de Prata. Most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mont-Saint-Michel is cooler than Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Mont-Saint-Michel averages around 19°C (65°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. In the summer, Mont-Saint-Michel often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun.

Mont-Saint-Michel usually gets more rain in July than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

Both Costa de Prata and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mont-Saint-Michel is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mont-Saint-Michel in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during autumn. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. In October, Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

Both Costa de Prata and Mont-Saint-Michel during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In January, Mont-Saint-Michel is generally much colder than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Mont-Saint-Michel average around 5°C (41°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Mont-Saint-Michel often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun.

Costa de Prata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mont-Saint-Michel usually gets less rain in January than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mont-Saint-Michel and Costa de Prata. Many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty.

Mont-Saint-Michel is cooler than Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Mont-Saint-Michel averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during spring. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mont-Saint-Michel usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Mont-Saint-Michel gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Mont-Saint-Michel