Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Varenna? 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 Varenna?
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.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Varenna €164
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Varenna is €164. 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 Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Varenna €86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Varenna €172
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Varenna? 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 Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Varenna €34
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 Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna 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
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Food Meals for one dayFunchal €31Varenna €53
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Varenna €34
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 Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Varenna €23
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 Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Varenna?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Varenna, 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 Varenna?
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.
Should I visit Funchal or Varenna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Varenna. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Varenna during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Varenna. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Varenna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Varenna. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
In the autumn, Funchal is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Varenna. Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Varenna in the Winter?
Both Varenna and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Varenna. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Varenna in the Spring?
Both Varenna and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.
Funchal is a little warmer than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.
Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Funchal usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Funchal
| Funchal | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.