Which place is cheaper, Marbella or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Funchal or Marbella? 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.
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in 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 Marbella is €117. 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 Marbella in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Marbella? 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 Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Marbella 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:
For Marbella, 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.
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Marbella, we can see that Marbella 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella 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 Marbella Expensive?.
Marbella has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Marbella, 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Marbella. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marbella in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is cooler than Marbella in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Marbella fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives more rain than Marbella. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Marbella. Additionally, most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Funchal is around the same temperature as Marbella. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Marbella averages at about 19°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. In the autumn, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Marbella. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Marbella. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Marbella and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Marbella. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Marbella fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Marbella. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Marbella and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Marbella in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Marbella fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Marbella. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Marbella. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Funchal | Marbella | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |