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

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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.

Which city is cheaper, Funchal or Sintra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €92, 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 Sintra and Funchal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra €45
    Funchal €41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra €90
    Funchal €82
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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Funchal


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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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra €17
    Funchal €7.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Half-Day Sintra Tour from Lisbon with Transfers: $169
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $51
  • To/ From Lisbon Airport: Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Sintra City Center to Lisbon City Center: $30
  • Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport: $25
  • Lisbon Private Transfer to or from Sintra: $22

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 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra €34
    Funchal €25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

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

  • Sintra Walking Food Tour: $60
  • Lisbon: Sintra Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Scenic Drive: $148

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.
    Sintra €18
    Funchal €12

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To ALGARVE Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA: $485
  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 From LISBON To SINTRA: $373
  • 2 Tours Private /Day 1 From LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON: $261
  • 2 Tours Private/Day 1 From LISBON To FÁTIMA Day 2 LISBON: $373
  • 2H Sintra Tour by Tuk Tuk: $149
  • 3 Tours Private/Day 1 LISBON To SINTRA Day 2 LISBON to FÁTIMA Day 3 LISBON: $498
  • Archaeological Sintra Tour in a Classical car: $56
  • Cabo da Roca and Praia da Ursa Half Day Tour - IncrediblePortugal Private Tours: $92
  • Cascais & Sintra Tour in electric car: $224
  • Discover SINTRA`s hidden gems on our walking tour: $30
  • ECO FRIENDLY TOUR - The Unknown Side of Sintra: $71
  • Economic Tour - Pena Palace (2-4pax): $27

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
    Sintra €14
    Funchal €13

Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:

  • From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting: $91
  • Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour: $117
  • Sintra Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience: $121
  • Full-Day Tour from Lisbon with Wine Tasting: $237

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 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.


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 are around 23°C (73°F), and Funchal is 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 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. Temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Funchal stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 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 temperature in Sintra is usually 12°C (53°F) in January, and Funchal stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 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 are around 16°C (60°F), and Funchal is 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 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)


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Sintra vs. Funchal Travel Comparison

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