Which place is cheaper, Valletta or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Funchal or Valletta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Valletta? 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 Valletta?
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.
Valletta
A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Valletta €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Valletta is €116. 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 Valletta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Valletta €65
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Valletta €130
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Valletta
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Valletta? 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 Valletta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Valletta €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $44
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Sunrise Transfer to Hike Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo: $71
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $59
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $123
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $69
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $44
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $150
- Private Airport Transfer from Malta to Gozo: $109
- Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
- From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $87
- Private Airport Transfer in Malta: $87
- Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers: $81
- Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
- Mdina and Highlights of Malta Full Day Guided Tour Incl. Lunch and Transfers: $66
- Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
- Malta Private Transfer from Malta Airport to any resort in Malta island: $51
- Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
- Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Valletta?
Prices for flights to both Valletta 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
-
Food Meals for one dayFunchal €31Valletta €32
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
-
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:
- Private Walking Food Tour Around Funchal: $31
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
- Valletta Food Tour: $49
- Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
- Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
- Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $76
- The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $80
- Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $80
- Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $86
- Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $91
- From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
- Private Valletta Food Tour: $175
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Valletta €27
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Low Cost Wheelchair Handicap Half Day Tour, Fully Accessible Tour : $76
- “Le tour de Churchill” - From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos: $58
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- 4 Hours Adventure Jeep Tour in Central Madeira Portugal: $47
- 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $71
- Accessible Half Day Tour Cabo Girão: $120
- Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $158
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Amazing West - Jeep Safari Tour - Full Day: $60
- Arieiro Peak, Santo da Serra and Cristo Rei 4x4 Experience: $49
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $65
- Around the island - Two days tour: $82
Tours and Activities in Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Cities Tour: $16
- 3 Hours Private Picnic Experience in Malta: $273
- 3 cities: Private Insider Walking Tour with Licensed Guide: $160
- 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
- 4-hr day tour around Malta: $207
- 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Pass Bus + Harbour Cruise: $55
- 90 minutes Harbour Cruise in Valletta - ticket only: $22
- A Monumental Maltese Experience: $175
- Adventures in Malta: Thrills, History, and Natural Beauty: $320
- Best of Mdina and Rabat Walking Tour: $20
- Best of Valletta Walking Tour: $20
- Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk Half-Day Tour from Valletta: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Valletta €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skywalk and 4x4 Adventure with Amazing Views and Wine Tasting: $49
- 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: $56
- Pub Crawl: $59
- 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: $102
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $109
- Wine Tour by Overland Madeira: $150
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $158
Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:
- Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
- Malta Pub Crawl: $22
- The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
- The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
- Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Valletta, we can see that Valletta 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 Valletta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valletta 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 Valletta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Valletta?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Valletta, 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 Valletta?
Funchal has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Valletta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Funchal or Valletta in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Valletta. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Funchal is cooler than Valletta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Funchal in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Valletta averages at about 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 365 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valletta. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Valletta 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Valletta in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Valletta. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year.
In October, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Valletta. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 21°C (70°F), and Valletta fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. In the autumn, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 221 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Valletta. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Valletta 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Valletta in the Winter?
Both Valletta and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Funchal is a little warmer than Valletta in the winter. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Valletta fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Valletta during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Valletta receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Valletta. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Valletta 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Valletta in the Spring?
Both Valletta and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round.
In the spring, Funchal is around the same temperature as Valletta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Funchal in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Valletta averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Valletta. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valletta receives 247 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Valletta. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Valletta receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Valletta 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Valletta and Funchal
| Funchal | Valletta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 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.