Which place is cheaper, Madeira Islands or Portimao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Portimao or Madeira Islands?
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 Madeira Islands. 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 Madeira Islands?
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.
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Portugal, and The Best Adventure Tours to Portugal.
-
Portimao Prices
Portugal PricesMadeira Islands Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortimao €185Madeira Islands €49,816
The average daily cost (per person) in Portimao is €185, while the average daily cost in Madeira Islands is €49,816. 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 Portimao and Madeira Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortimao €78Madeira Islands €23,804
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortimao €156Madeira Islands €
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php on line 2805
46
Compare Hotels in Portimao and Madeira Islands
Looking for a hotel in Portimao or Madeira Islands? 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: Portimao Hotel Prices and Madeira Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portimao €37Madeira Islands €4,784
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:
- Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $249
- Private Transfer from Josper Grill Steakhouse Dry Aged to Faro (FAO) Airport: $143
- Private Transfer from Hotel da Rocha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $141
- Private Transfer from Hotel Carvoeiro to Faro (FAO) Airport: $111
- Private Transfer from Guia to Faro (FAO) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Ferragudo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $125
- Private Transfer from Estrada da Galé to Faro (FAO) Airport: $101
- Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from Armaçao de Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $125
- Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro Airport (1-4 pax): $144
- Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro (FAO) Airport: $138
- Private Transfer from Aljezur to Faro (FAO) Airport: $278
Is it cheaper to fly into Portimao or Madeira Islands?
Prices for flights to both Madeira Islands 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 dayPortimao €78Madeira Islands €16,907
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.
- Authentic Market & Food Tour in Portimão, Algarve: $90
- Algarve Food Tour in Portimão: $120
- Algarve wine tour and mountain top trip with lunch or dinner at sunset time: $166
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portimao €41Madeira Islands €13,949
Tours and Activities in Portimao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:
- Dolphin Expedition Shared Speedboat tour with Biologist guide: $65
- Kayak Tours to Benagil & Marine caves - From Benagil Beach: $30
- Lagos Portugal Boat Tour : $42
- Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave 90 Minutes Cave Tour: $24
- 4h Private tour in Benagil and Praia da Marinha : $96
- Adventure in Serra de Monchique - 4 Hours: $54
- Algarve - Exclusive horseriding in Portimao (no experience required): $60
- Algarve Buggy Experience: $108
- Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $42
- Benagil Boat Tour with Local Guide : $25
- Benagil Catamaran Sailing Cruise with Lunch from Portimão: $57
- Benagil Cave - Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour (Small groups): $41
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortimao €30Madeira Islands €3,505
Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:
- Wine Tasting and Art Tour: $43
- Vilamoura, Albufeira & Porches: Wine Tasting, Tapas & Music Tour: $66
- Lagos, Portimão & Carvoeiro: Wine Tasting, Tapas & Music Tour: $66
- Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $85
- Sunset with Wine Tasting: $96
- Algarve wine tour and lunch in Silves or time to visit the city: $123
- Algarve wine tour and farmer's lunch at wine estate: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portimao and Madeira Islands, we can see that Madeira Islands is more expensive. And not only is Portimao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portimao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portimao 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 Madeira Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madeira Islands than you might in Portimao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portimao Expensive? and Is Madeira Islands Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Portimao or Madeira Islands?
Madeira Islands has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Madeira Islands, 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.
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.