Should you visit Funchal or Ericeira?
Should I visit Funchal or Ericeira? 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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Ericeira 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 Ericeira is €44. 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 Ericeira 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.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around €32 in Ericeira For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
Ericeira food costs typically run travelers around €16 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Funchal €25
Ericeira €16
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:
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Madeira Evening Tour with Dinner and Performance:
$44
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Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show:
$45
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“Petiscos” cooking experience & Market Tour:
$70
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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.
Ericeira'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 €9.50 per person, per day on transportation in Ericeira.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Madeira Airport (FNC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Funchal Hotels or Address):
$41
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Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport):
$41
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Madeira Funchal Airport FNC Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car:
$34
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Madeira Airport Round Trip Private Transfers Services:
$34
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Madeira Private Arrival Transfer:
$32
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Private Service Airport Transfer:
$25
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Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport:
$22
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Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal:
$21
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Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service:
$19
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Private Airport Transfer: from Funchal to Madeira Airport (FNC):
$19
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Funchal Shared Arrival Transfer:
$18
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Madeira Private Transfer: To/From Funchal Airport:
$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ericeira
Also for Ericeira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Lisbon: Private Transfer between the Airport & Ericeira Area:
$73
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Ericeira Private Transfer to Lisbon:
$38
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Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Ericeira:
$34
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 Ericeira can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €13 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.
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3-Hour Madeira Scenic Island Tour (Price per Sidecar - 1 or 2 passengers):
$143
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3d Fun Art Museum Ticket:
$11
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4x4 Full-Day Tour to Explore Portugal's Scents and Flavors:
$51
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Amazing Skywalk and more... Half day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$40
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Arieiro Peak & Nun´s Valley in Open Roof 4x4 Tour + Dolphins Watching:
$81
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Arieiro Peak and Nun´s Valley Half day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$40
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Ariero Peak, Santana "Biosphere Reserve" & more...Full day Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$49
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Best of Funchal Private Tour:
$243
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Best of Funchal private walking tour with local specialities tasting:
$467
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Best of Madeira Private Tour Half Day:
$54
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Boat and Open Roof 4x4 Tour:
$1,595
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Botanic Garden Tour:
$50
Tours and Activities in Ericeira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ericeira.
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ERICEIRA | LIZANDRO RIVER AND SEA BTT TOUR 2h30 HOURS:
$44
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Ericeira to Cabo da Roca Bike Tour:
$93
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2h Sunset BTT tour:
$41
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2h30 Hours E-Bike Tour To Mafra:
$56
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2h30 World Surf Reserve BTT tour:
$45
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.
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Funchal City Tour with Madeira Wine Tasting:
$15
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Half Day Traditions and Enchanting Valleys - Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Monte, Madeira Wine Tasting:
$49
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Skywalk & Professional Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour in Open Roof 4x4:
$60
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Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting:
$94
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Cabo Girão Skywalk+Vineyards+Wine Tasting Tour in Open Roof 4x4+Dolphin Watching:
$98
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Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$166
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Madeira wine tasting and sightseeing private tour from Funchal:
$534
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Ericeira, we can see that Funchal 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 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 Ericeira.
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