Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Funchal or Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Barcelona €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Funchal and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Barcelona €96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Barcelona €192
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Barcelona? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Funchal Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Barcelona €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madeira Airport Shuttle Transfer one way: $9.77
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $38
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $43
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $49
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Private Transfer Barcelona - Benidorm: $521
- Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Harbor up to 15 people: $299
- Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to PortAventura hotels: $289
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $284
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona City (or vice versa): $283
- Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch: $282
- Montserrat Half Day Private Guided Tour with Transfers: $272
- Barcelona to Andorra Private Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port Aventura: $261
- La Roca Village: private Round-Trip Transfer: $256
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Lloret de Mar: $254
- Private Transfer MiniBus from Airport Barcelona to Salou: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayFunchal €31Barcelona €33
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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Coffee€1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Funchal
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Afternoon Taste of Traditions Drinks & Food Tour: $48
- Madeeira: Sunset dinner cruise: $59
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Funchal Walking Food Tour: $81
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $87
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $32
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $42
- Valencia: Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Barcelona €33
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.79
- MAMMA Museum Entry ticket: $11
- Sacred Art Museum of Funchal Entry Ticket: $11
- Old Funchal Walking Tour: $15
- Nuns Valley(:), Tour:easy walk, unique mountain surround.: $21
- Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 3 in 1: $27
- Christmas Lights in Funchal Tour: $27
- São Vicente Caves and Volcano Center Half-Day Tour: $27
- Nuns Valley Tour: $28
- Amazing East Tour : $30
- Majestic West Tour : $30
- Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $260
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Barcelona: $75
- Big Fun Museum Ticket: $27
- 1 Hour Private Flamenco Class in Barcelona Experience : $43
- 1,5h Barcelona '92 Segway Tour: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Barcelona €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- H.M. Borges Winery Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $16
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $53
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $53
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $55
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $86
- Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching: $97
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $98
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $101
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $108
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $157
- Full Day Private Madeira Wine Tour from Funchal: $170
- Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $190
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Original Pub Crawl: $13
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - The Best Night Out Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Free shot and VIP Entry: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Funchal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Funchal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Funchal 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Funchal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Barcelona, 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 Funchal or Barcelona?
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 Funchal or Barcelona in the Summer?
Both Barcelona and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Barcelona. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Funchal is a little warmer than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Barcelona. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Funchal
| Funchal | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.