Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Funchal?
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 Funchal or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona? 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: Funchal or Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.
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Funchal Prices
Portugal PricesBarcelona Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €116Barcelona €185
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €185. 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 Funchal and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Barcelona €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Barcelona €196
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Barcelona? 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: Funchal Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Barcelona €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival and departure transfers to Funchal and Airport: $18
- Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $21
- Private Transfer Madeira Airport: $30
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Madeira: PR8 -Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve Transfer: $33
- Caniçal Transfer for PR8 Hike São Lourenco: $33
- Airport Transfers Funchal Airport: $35
- Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hike (Morning slot): $36
- Self Guided Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve: $36
- Transfer to PR1 Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Trail: $38
- Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer: $39
- Transfer Sunrise Self-Guided Hike Pico do Arieiro : $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch (optional): $298
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $281
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Calella de Palafrugell: $281
- Private Transfer From Barcelona To Tarragona With a 2 Hour Stop: $260
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to La Roca Shopping Village: $258
- La Roca Village: private Round-Trip Transfer: $257
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Reuse Airport: $239
- Transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $239
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to PortAventura World: $222
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Tossa de Mar: $221
- Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Port Aventura/Salou Arrival Transfer: $211
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Tarragona Port: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Funchal 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 dayFunchal €54Barcelona €58
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:
- Private Walking Food Tour Around Funchal: $33
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $95
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $42
- Flamenco Casa Sors & Guitar Museum with Optional Drink or Dinner: $44
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $54
- Barcelona Food Tour: Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $54
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $54
- Tablao Flamenco Cordobes on Rambla Barcelona with Dinner Option: $57
- Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour: $71
- Wine Tasting and 5 Course Tapas Pairing Dinner: $71
- Barcelona Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience: $78
- Seafood Paella and Mediterranean Tapas Cooking Class: $81
- A vegan/vegetarian food tour in Barcelona: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Barcelona €33
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Sacred Art Museum of Funchal Entry Ticket: $18
- Old Funchal Walking Tour: $20
- Quick & Fun 30-Minute Tuk Tuk Tour with Local Guide: $23
- KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $29
- Funchal Walking Tour: Tradition, History and Flavor: $29
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $29
- Nun's Valley Tour: $32
- SUP Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $34
- Nun's Valley & Pico dos Barcelos Madeira Island Tour: $35
- Tour to Nun's Valley, Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado: $36
- Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $36
- Amazing East Tour : $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Arrival Cruise Port to Sants Station Private: $45
- Barcelona eBike Beach Private Tour to Vineyards & Picnic: $299
- Costa Brava Coves Towns and Winery Private Tour: $197
- Day Sailing Experience, Barcelona(9 Persons): $90
- Luca’s Hidden Old the Gothic and El Born Tour: $24
- Montserrat Guided Tour from Barcelona + Basilica Access : $94
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $238
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $57
- Sagrada Familia Guided Tour: $197
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $61
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Barcelona: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Barcelona €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Portuguese Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $40
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $62
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $63
- Half-Day Wine Tour- Shared: $89
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $93
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $107
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $112
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $119
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $208
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Bar Crawl Old Town Treasure Tramp Adventure: $15
- Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $18
- Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $18
- Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $18
- Pub Crawl Barcelona by EVOLVE The BEST night experience: $24
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $25
- Original Pub Crawl & Tapas Tour: $30
- Wine tasting next to the Sagrada Familia: $30
- Barcelona Markets Tour With Optional Food & Wine Tasting Upgrade: $35
- Winery tour & wine tasting in Penedès region 40min from Barcelona: $38
- Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Funchal Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Barcelona, 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 Funchal or Barcelona?
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 Funchal or Barcelona in the Summer?
Both Barcelona and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Barcelona. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Funchal is a little warmer than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Barcelona. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Funchal
| Funchal | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 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.