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

Should you visit Ericeira or La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or La Rochelle?

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.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a lovely French city in the province of Charente-Maritime. It's located in western France and is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay. Most people who visit the city enjoy exploring the "Vieux Port" or Old Harbour area. This area is the heart of the city and it is a beautiful neighborhood that has many seafood restaurants and nice architecture. It's particularly enjoyable to walk around during the evening hours. Ile de Re is connected to the city by a bridge and is also a nice place to visit. If you head out of town, the surrounding countryside is very rural. North of the city is Venise Verte, which is very marshy and has many small canals. It's a popular area for inland boating.

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

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and La Rochelle, 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 La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ericeira usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ericeira or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Ericeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

Ericeira is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the autumn, Ericeira often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and La Rochelle. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ericeira is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Ericeira usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 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 La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ericeira or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as La Rochelle. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Ericeira is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Ericeira