Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Funchal or Gran Canaria? 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.
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.
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €125. 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 Gran Canaria in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Gran Canaria? 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.
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Gran Canaria, we can see that Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria Expensive?.
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Gran Canaria, 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.
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.
Both Gran Canaria and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Funchal is around the same temperature as Gran Canaria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Funchal in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Gran Canaria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Gran Canaria during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Gran Canaria and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Gran Canaria. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 21°C (70°F), and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 213 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Gran Canaria.
Funchal is cooler than Gran Canaria in the winter. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Gran Canaria during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 187 hours of full sun in the winter.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Gran Canaria.
In the spring, Funchal is cooler than Gran Canaria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Funchal in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gran Canaria. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 225 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Gran Canaria. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Funchal | Gran Canaria | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |