Should you visit Funchal or Evora?
Should I visit Funchal or Evora? 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.
Evora
A medieval time capsule, this city is a collection of ancient relics that leaves a lasting air of enchantment upon you. Evora, Portugal is the seat of the Evora District as well as the capital of the Alentejo region. With a population of no more than 60,000, Evora is a small municipality that holds a treasure trove of culture, art, and history. Evora is known internationally for its preservation of medieval architecture, such as parts of medieval walls that still partially surround the city. Moreover, Evora is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network and because of its multitude of historic sites, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of said historic sites include Se Cathedral, Evora Museum, Roman Temple, Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and the Church of Saint Francis. Besides of its historic beauty, Evora also lives up to the demands of the modern world. According to Expreso, the city was named one of the second most livable cities in Portugal. Evora is also an ambitious and even competitive city, ranked number-one in competitiveness out of the 18 Portuguese capital cities. Whether you look to explore Roman ruins or simply enjoy the current amenities, you will fall under the enchantment that is Evora, Portugal.
Which city is cheaper, Evora 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 Evora is €87. 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 Evora 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €72 for a double occupancy room in Evora.
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.
While meal prices in Evora can vary, the average travelers spends about €35 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Evora should cost around €14 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Evora is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Funchal €25
Evora €35
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.
The average price of local transportation around Evora is €24 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport:
$22
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Funchal Shared Arrival Transfer:
$18
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Funchal Shared Departure Transfer:
$18
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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 Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal:
$21
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Madeira Airport Round Trip Private Transfers Services:
$34
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Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service:
$19
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Madeira Funchal Airport FNC Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car:
$34
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Madeira Private Arrival Transfer:
$32
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Madeira Private Transfer: To/From Funchal Airport:
$18
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Madeira: Funchal Shared Transfer to or from Airport:
$11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Evora
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Evora:
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Transfer Évora - Up to 7 People:
$299
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Transfer Évora - Up to 3 People:
$249
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.
Evora's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €16 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
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Funchal Jesuits' College Tour:
$6.38
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3d Fun Art Museum Ticket:
$11
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Wine and Sugar Walking Tour:
$16
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The Mysteries of Funchal Walking Tour:
$16
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Old Funchal Walking Tour:
$16
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Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$17
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Câmara de Lobos Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$17
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Camara de Lobos and Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$19
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São Tiago fortress tour:
$20
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Madeira Valley of the Nuns Tour:
$21
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Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 3 in 1:
$21
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Madeira: Best of Madeira Shuttle Tour Half Day:
$22
Tours and Activities in Evora
Here are a few actual costs in Evora for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Évora and Monsaraz: 8-hour Private Tour:
$67
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Evora Cartuxa: The Most Exclusive Tour for Wine Lovers:
$187
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Evora Freedom: Self-Drive Private City Tour in E-Cars:
$12
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Evora Historic Center: Self-Drive Private City Tour in E-cars:
$40
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Evora Megalithic: Self-Drive Private Tour in E-Cars:
$40
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From Faro: Private Tour Évora & Monsaraz endpoint…:
$993
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From Lisbon: Full Day Évora Tour with Lunch:
$106
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Full Day Evora, Esporão and Monsaraz Private tour from Lisbon:
$400
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Full Day Evora, Vila Viçosa and Estremoz Private tour from Lisbon:
$400
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Giraldo Square and City Center Walking Tour of Évora:
$258
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Lisbon: Full-Day Private Tour to Evora and Arraiolos:
$74
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Olive Oil Farm Tour:
$100
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Evora may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Evora
Also in Evora, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Full-Day Évora Wine Tour from Lisbon:
$90
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Évora Private Tour with Alentejo Wine Tasting:
$139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Evora, we can see that Evora 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 Evora would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Evora than you might in Funchal.
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