Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sintra or Funchal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Funchal? 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: Sintra or Funchal?
Sintra
Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.
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 Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesFunchal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Funchal €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Funchal is €116. 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 Sintra and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Funchal €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Funchal €104
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Funchal
Looking for a hotel in Sintra 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: Sintra Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Funchal €9.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $298
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Faro | Portimão | Lagos: $292
- Transfer From Lisboa to Albufeira Algarve: $268
- Private San Francisco Transfer: $231
- Transfer From Lisbon To Evora: $149
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $118
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $106
- Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $83
- Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $65
- Cascais Municipal Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Private, Flight Tracked: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $21
- Transfers DE arrival or DE departure to Funchal and Airport: $24
- Private Service Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Mercedes Transfer: Madeira Airport & Funchal: $36
- Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal: $36
- PR8 Ponta São Lourenço Caniçal Self-Guided Hiking Transfer: $37
- Madeira PR1 and Other PR Trail Access Booking Service No Transfer: $42
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $47
- Madeira Private Transfers - Arrival and Departure: $47
- PR13 Vereda do Fanal Mystical Self-Guided Hiking with Transfer: $50
- PR9 Caldeirão Verde Queimadas Levada Self-Guided Hiking Transfer: $51
- PR1 Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer (Morning slot): $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Funchal?
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Sintra 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 daySintra €73Funchal €54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Ericeira Private Tour: 10 Tastings Food Tour: $146
- Boho Chic Picnic Dinner with Water Views: $218
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: $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Funchal €15
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- "Lisbon Essential Tour: Belém, Alfama & Cristo Rei Sanctuary": $101
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk: $65
- 19th Century Photography Experience: $48
- 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $161
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Cascais: $12
- Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Best of Sintra Private Tour with Local Guide & Hotel Pickup: $177
- Best of Sintra, Private Tuk Tuk Tour: $131
- Cascais Coastal EBike Tour: $65
- Cascais Coastal Secrets 90 Minute Cruise with Free Wine and Beer: $45
- Cascais Secret Beach Tour: $188
- Cascais Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.90
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Scenic Route - Nuns Valley Tour: $28
- Nuns Valley Tour: $30
- City Sightseeing Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Funchal : Sunday Market - South East Tour: $34
- Private 1-Hour Funchal City Highlights Tuk Tuk Tour: $36
- Tour - 8 Villages to the East: $42
- Private Funchal Scenic Views & Hidden Streets Tuk-Tuk Tour: $42
- Majestic West Tour and Fanal Forest: $42
- Go West - The most popular tour: $42
- Sunrise Tour at Pico do Arieiro Above the Clouds Experience: $42
- Sunset A Relaxing Experience and Stunning Views: $42
- Full Day Tour of Madeira West: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Funchal €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $83
- Lisbon Region Wine Tour: Mafra & Ericeira + Hotel Pick-Up: $196
- PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $232
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skywalk, Amazing Views & Wine Tasting in Open Roof 4x4 Adventure: $56
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $65
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $65
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $65
- Madeira Tuk-Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting and Honey Cake: $77
- Half-Day Small-Group Wine Tour in Madeira: $83
- Signature Wine Tastings, Skywalk, Nature 4x4 Open Roof Expedition: $106
- Private Guided East Madeira Tour Waterfall and Distillery Visit: $107
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Funchal, we can see that Sintra 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra 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 Sintra Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Funchal?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra 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 Sintra 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 Sintra or Funchal in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Funchal.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Funchal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Funchal averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 227 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Funchal. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Funchal in the Autumn?
Both Funchal and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Funchal. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Funchal. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Funchal in the Winter?
Both Funchal and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit.
Sintra is cooler than Funchal in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Funchal fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 141 hours of full sun.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Funchal. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Funchal in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Funchal.
In the spring, Sintra is around the same temperature as Funchal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Funchal averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives less rain than Funchal. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Sintra
| Sintra | 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.