Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or Funchal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Funchal can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Funchal?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €123Funchal €93
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Funchal is €93. 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 Setubal and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Funchal €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Funchal €104
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Funchal
Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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.
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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Funchal €9.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $195
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $146
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madeira: Private Monte Tour By Cable Car with Transfer: $108
- Transfers Wheelchair Scooter Transfers Airport / Funchal: $87
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $68
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $65
- Transfer to Hiking Achada Teixeira - Pico Ruivo: $60
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Private Transfers Services: $58
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Funchal Hotels or Address): $54
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport): $54
- Madeira Island Transfers: $53
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Funchal?
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Setubal 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 daySetubal €35Funchal €31
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:
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Afternoon Taste of Traditions Drinks & Food Tour: $48
- Madeeira: Sunset dinner cruise: $59
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Funchal Walking Food Tour: $81
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $87
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Funchal €15
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Horse Carriage Tour on the Mountain in Palmela: $106
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $43
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Évora Tales and Legends Walking Tour from Évora: $54
- Évora With Love Walking Tours: $54
- Évora: Christian Heritage Private Walking Tour: $63
- Évora: Private Walking Tour: $63
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49
- Arrábida Jeep 4x4 tour to Arrábida, the most beautiful beach of Europe: $92
- Arrábida National Park Rock Climbing Experience: $128
- Arrábida Natural Park: Stand Up Paddleboard Tour and Lesson: $53
- Arrábida Nature Jeep Tour: $64
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
- Low Cost Wheelchair Santana Half Day Tour : $108
- Wheelchair Full Day Tour Porto Moniz E Sao Vicente : $190
- “Le tour de Churchill” - From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos: $57
- 4 Days Tour Discovering Madeira: $278
- 4 Hours Adventure Jeep Tour in Central Madeira Portugal: $47
- 4 hours Unique Classic Jeep Tour to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira: $62
- 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $70
- Accessible Half Day Tour Cabo Girão: $120
- Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $157
- Agriculture Green Tour : $92
- All Madeira In 2 Days Tour: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Funchal €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $55
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $65
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $70
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Half-Day Tour to Arrabida from Sesimbra with Wine Tasting: $82
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $151
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $169
- 4x4 Cork Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $174
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- H.M. Borges Winery Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $16
- 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: $55
- 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: $101
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $108
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $157
- Full Day Private Madeira Wine Tour from Funchal: $170
- Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Funchal, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Funchal?
Setubal has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Funchal, 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 Setubal or Funchal?
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 Setubal or Funchal in the Summer?
Both Funchal and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Setubal is around the same temperature as Funchal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Funchal averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Funchal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Setubal usually receives less rain than Funchal. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Funchal in the Autumn?
Both Funchal and Setubal during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Funchal. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the autumn, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 183 hours of full sun.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Setubal usually gets less rain in October than Funchal. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Funchal in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Funchal.
Setubal is cooler than Funchal in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Funchal fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Setubal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Funchal. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Funchal in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Funchal.
In the spring, Setubal is around the same temperature as Funchal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Funchal averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the spring, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 182 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets less rain in April than Funchal. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Setubal
| Setubal | Funchal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 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.