Which place is cheaper, Zagora or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Funchal or Zagora? 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.
A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.
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 Zagora is €47. 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 Zagora in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Zagora? 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:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:
Prices for flights to both Zagora 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.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:
Also in Funchal, 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 Zagora, we can see that Funchal is more expensive. And not only is Zagora much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Funchal is in Europe and Zagora is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zagora would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagora 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 Funchal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Funchal than you might in Zagora.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Zagora Expensive?.
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Zagora, 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.