A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Portimao vs. Funchal for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Portimao or Funchal?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Funchal. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Portimao or Funchal?

Portimao

The second biggest city in the Alrgarve region of Portugal, Portimao sits on the coast where the Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants and is also a popular destination for beachgoers at the Praia da Rocha to the south of the city.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Funchal or Portimao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Portimao is €121, while the average daily cost in Funchal is €75. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Portimao and Funchal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Portimao €62
    Funchal €41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Portimao €124
    Funchal €82
Compare Hotels in Portimao and Funchal

Looking for a hotel in Portimao or Funchal? 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.

Hotels in Portimao


Hotels in Funchal


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: Portimao Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Portimao €30
    Funchal €7.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:

  • Private Transfer from Portimao to Faro (FAO) Airport: $96
  • Private Transfer from Hotel da Rocha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $96
  • Airport Transfer: $94
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer to or from Portimão/Praia da Rocha: $88
  • Transfer Praia da Rocha - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $66
  • Transfer Portimão - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $62
  • Transfer Portimão - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $52
  • Transfer Praia da Rocha - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $52
  • Faro Private Transfer to or from Portimão: $44
  • Faro Shared Transfer to or from Portimão: $38
  • Transfer Portimão - Alamos Golf (Portimão) Pending: $36
  • Transfer Praia da Rocha - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal

Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Madeira: Funchal Shared Transfer to or from Airport: $11
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Madeira Airport to Funchal or Monte: $14
  • Madeira: Private Transfer to or from Palheiro Golf or Choupana: $15
  • Madeira: Private Transfer to or from Camara de Lobos: $15
  • Funchal Shared Departure Transfer: $18
  • Madeira Private Transfer: To/From Funchal Airport: $18
  • Funchal Shared Arrival Transfer: $18
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Funchal to Madeira Airport (FNC): $19
  • Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $19
  • Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal: $21
  • Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport: $22
  • Private Service Airport Transfer: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Portimao or Funchal?

Prices for flights to both Funchal and Portimao 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 day
    Portimao €36
    Funchal €25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.

  • Portimão - Food Tour: $96

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:

  • Madeira Evening Tour with Dinner and Performance: $44
  • Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $45
  • “Petiscos” cooking experience & Market Tour: $70
  • Madeira Sunset by 4x4 with Dinner from Funchal: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Portimao €33
    Funchal €12

Tours and Activities in Portimao

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:

  • 1 Hour - Express tour to Benagil Cave: $28
  • 2 Hours Portimão Walking Tour: $20
  • 2.5-Hour Cruise to Benagil Caves From Portimão: $37
  • 2h30min Private Benagil Caves Tour & Snorkeing & Cliff-jumping with Lots of fun!: $373
  • Afternoon Sailing and Caves Tour from Portimao: $44
  • Algarve Coastline Tour from Portimao jeep and boat tour: $75
  • Algarve Jeep Safari tours: $38
  • Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $44
  • Benagil - Private Tour with Captain - Algarve Cave Captain: $348
  • Benagil Boat Tour with Local Guide: $35
  • Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Boat Tour from Portimao: $37
  • Benagil Caves Tour & Snorkeling & Cliff-jumping - lots of fun and adventure: $50

Tours and Activities in Funchal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.

  • Funchal Jesuits' College Tour: $6.38
  • 3d Fun Art Museum Ticket: $11
  • Historical Walking Tour: $15
  • Wine and Sugar Walking Tour: $16
  • The Mysteries of Funchal Walking Tour: $16
  • Old Funchal Walking Tour: $16
  • Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $17
  • Câmara de Lobos Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $17
  • Camara de Lobos and Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $19
  • São Tiago fortress tour: $20
  • Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 3 in 1: $21
  • Madeira Valley of the Nuns Tour: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Portimao €24
    Funchal €13

Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:

  • Portimão & Carvoeiro: Algarve Wine Tour in a VW T2 Van: $57
  • Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $72
  • Algarve wine tour of two wine estates and lunch at hystorical town of Silves: $112
  • Algarve Wine Tour and Mountain Discovery With Lunch at Mountain Top: $144
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from the Algarve: $207

Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal

Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Funchal City Tour with Madeira Wine Tasting: $15
  • Half Day Traditions and Enchanting Valleys - Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Monte, Madeira Wine Tasting: $49
  • Skywalk & Professional Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour in Open Roof 4x4: $60
  • Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $94
  • Cabo Girão Skywalk+Vineyards+Wine Tasting Tour in Open Roof 4x4+Dolphin Watching: $98
  • Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $166
  • Madeira wine tasting and sightseeing private tour from Funchal: $534

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portimao and Funchal, we can see that Portimao 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 Portimao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portimao than you might in Funchal.


When is the best time to visit Portimao or Funchal?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Portimao or Funchal in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Funchal. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.

In July, Portimao is generally a little warmer than Funchal. Temperatures in Portimao average around 25°C (78°F), and Funchal stays around 22°C (72°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Funchal. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Portimao 25°C (78°F) 
    Funchal 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Funchal in the Autumn?

Both Funchal and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Funchal in the autumn. The temperature in Portimao is usually 19°C (67°F) in October, and Funchal stays around 21°C (70°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. In October, Portimao usually receives less rain than Funchal. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Portimao 19°C (67°F) 
    Funchal 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Funchal in the Winter?

Both Funchal and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portimao in the winter for the shopping scene.

In the winter, Portimao is cooler than Funchal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portimao in January are around 11°C (52°F), and Funchal is about 16°C (61°F).

Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Portimao usually gets less rain in January than Funchal. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Portimao 11°C (52°F) 
    Funchal 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Funchal in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Funchal. Most visitors come to Portimao for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Portimao is generally cooler than Funchal. Temperatures in Portimao average around 15°C (60°F), and Funchal stays around 17°C (63°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Funchal. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Portimao 15°C (60°F) 
    Funchal 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Funchal and Portimao

Portimao Funchal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)


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Portimao vs. Funchal Travel Comparison

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