A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Peniche vs. Calais for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Peniche or Calais?

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 Peniche and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Peniche or Calais?

Peniche

Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Peniche and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Peniche Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Peniche or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Peniche. When comparing the sizes of Peniche and Calais, 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 Peniche or Calais?

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 Peniche or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Peniche as well as Calais. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Peniche is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Peniche in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Peniche this time of the year. In the summer, Peniche often gets more sunshine than Calais. Peniche gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Peniche usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Peniche gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Peniche or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Peniche are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In October, Peniche is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Peniche average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Peniche. Peniche usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Peniche gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Peniche usually receives more rain than Calais. Peniche gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Peniche or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Peniche during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. Peniche is much warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Peniche averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Peniche often gets more sunshine than Calais. Peniche gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Peniche. Peniche usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Peniche gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Peniche or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Peniche and Calais. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Peniche is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Peniche in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In Peniche, it's very sunny this time of the year. Peniche usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Peniche gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Peniche usually receives more rain than Calais. Peniche gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Peniche