Should you visit Funchal or Aveiro?
Should I visit Funchal or Aveiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Funchal
Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous region of Madeira on the island of Madeira. The city is located to the south between the cities of Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos. It is actually named for the fennel plant which grows liberally on the island. The city was most significant as a shipping center between the 15th and 17th centuries. Today it has a population of over 100,000 people and is, arguably, one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal. It's appeal as a tourist destination has made it the leading Portuguese port for cruise line dockings.
Aveiro
Aveiro has great canals that are lined by houses. Because of this ambiance, the town has earned its nickname the "Portuguese Venice." While it's similar, don't put too much into the name. The town is also known for it's colorful boats, referred to as moliceiros, that ride along the canals and under the bridges.
While the canals are lovely, most visitors actually come for the beaches. Aveiro's beaches are known for their clean and pristine sand. The shore is referred to as the Silver Coast, and has comfortably warm water, which is another major draw to the area.
Aveiro is comfortable year around because it's winters are mild and warm and its summer is somewhat cool. The winter months get the most rain and the summer is usually the driest. If you're there during the fall and winter, the winds will be strong making it the best time for surfing, sailing, and other water sports.
Which city is cheaper, Aveiro or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €75, while the average daily cost in Aveiro is €64. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Funchal and Aveiro in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €82 in Funchal For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Aveiro, €74 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Aveiro, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €37, such as in a hostel.
Food
In Funchal travelers spend around €25 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Aveiro costs travelers about €22 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Funchal €25
Aveiro €22
Typical Food prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Funchal
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Madeira Evening Tour with Dinner and Performance:
$44
-
Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show:
$45
-
“Petiscos” cooking experience & Market Tour:
$70
-
Madeira Sunset by 4x4 with Dinner from Funchal:
$70
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Funchal than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €7.95 on transportation in Funchal on average per day.
Aveiro's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €6.86 per person, per day on transportation in Aveiro.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Madeira Airport (FNC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Funchal Hotels or Address):
$41
-
Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport):
$41
-
Madeira Funchal Airport FNC Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car:
$34
-
Madeira Airport Round Trip Private Transfers Services:
$34
-
Madeira Private Arrival Transfer:
$32
-
Private Service Airport Transfer:
$25
-
Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport:
$22
-
Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal:
$21
-
Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service:
$19
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Funchal to Madeira Airport (FNC):
$19
-
Funchal Shared Arrival Transfer:
$18
-
Madeira Private Transfer: To/From Funchal Airport:
$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aveiro
Also for Aveiro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Aveiro Private Transfer to Porto:
$51
-
Porto Private Transfer to or from Aveiro:
$46
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Aveiro?
Prices for flights to both Aveiro and Funchal change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Funchal, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €12 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Aveiro can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €6.86 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
-
3-Hour Madeira Scenic Island Tour (Price per Sidecar - 1 or 2 passengers):
$143
-
3d Fun Art Museum Ticket:
$11
-
4x4 Full-Day Tour to Explore Portugal's Scents and Flavors:
$51
-
Amazing Skywalk and more... Half day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$40
-
Arieiro Peak & Nun´s Valley in Open Roof 4x4 Tour + Dolphins Watching:
$81
-
Arieiro Peak and Nun´s Valley Half day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$40
-
Ariero Peak, Santana "Biosphere Reserve" & more...Full day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$49
-
Best of Funchal Private Tour:
$243
-
Best of Funchal private walking tour with local specialities tasting:
$467
-
Best of Madeira Private Tour Half Day:
$54
-
Boat and Open Roof 4x4 Tour:
$1,595
-
Botanic Garden Tour:
$50
Tours and Activities in Aveiro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Aveiro.
-
Anew Tour in Aveiro ( porto ) Half day:
$101
-
Aveiro Atlantic Tour - Natural Reserve - Barra Beach - Costa Nova:
$50
-
Aveiro and Ílhavo Tour from Porto with River Cruise:
$103
-
Bairrada Wine Experience:
$75
-
Classic Aveiro City Tour by Bike:
$31
-
Coimbra & Aveiro - Private Tour:
$323
-
Full Day Aveiro and Coimbra Small-Group Tour from Porto with River Cruise:
$496
-
Full Day Porto to Lisbon with Aveiro, Fátima and Óbidos - Private Tour:
$1,177
-
Half Day Aveiro and Costa Nova Small-Group Tour with River Cruise from Porto:
$405
-
Half Day in Aveiro - Private Tour:
$199
-
Photo tour/workshop in the beautiful and biodiverse Freita mountains:
$68
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Funchal, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €13.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Aveiro, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €14.
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Funchal City Tour with Madeira Wine Tasting:
$15
-
Half Day Traditions and Enchanting Valleys - Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Monte, Madeira Wine Tasting:
$49
-
Skywalk & Professional Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$60
-
Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting:
$94
-
Cabo Girão Skywalk+Vineyards+Wine Tasting Tour in Open Roof 4x4+Dolphin Watching:
$98
-
Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$166
-
Madeira wine tasting and sightseeing private tour from Funchal:
$534
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Aveiro, we can see that Funchal is more expensive. And not only is Aveiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aveiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aveiro 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 Funchal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Funchal than you might in Aveiro.
Related Articles for Funchal
Related Articles for Aveiro
