Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca or Funchal?
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 Funchal or Playa Blanca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca?
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.
Playa Blanca
Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
-
Funchal Prices
Portugal PricesPlaya Blanca Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €116Playa Blanca €188
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in Playa Blanca is €188. 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 Playa Blanca in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Playa Blanca €81
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Playa Blanca €162
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Playa Blanca
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Playa Blanca €49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hike (Morning slot): $36
- Transfer to Caldeirão Verde Levada Self-Guided Hike Queimadas: $39
- Transfer Sunrise Self-Guided Hike Pico do Arieiro : $39
- Transfer Rabacal 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided: $40
- Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $21
- Self Guided Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve: $36
- Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $73
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $75
- Private Transfer Madeira Airport: $30
- Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $52
- Madeira: PR8 -Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Playa Blanca?
Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca 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
-
Food Meals for one dayFunchal €54Playa Blanca €77
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:
- Private Walking Food Tour Around Funchal: $33
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Playa Blanca €20
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Low Cost Wheelchair Santana Half Day Tour : $179
- Wheelchair Full Day Tour Porto Moniz E Sao Vicente : $208
- Wheelchair Porto Moniz Handicap Tour: $179
- 25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6): $55
- 4x4 Full-Day Tour to Explore Portugal's Scents and Flavors: $69
- 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $77
- 8-Hour Luxury Cruise from Funchal to Ponta de São Lourenço: $2,173
- Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo in Madeira (PR1.2) - Hiking Tour: $55
- Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $173
- Agriculture Green Tour : $102
- Amazing East Tour : $36
- Amazing Sunset (Private tour): $262
Tours and Activities in Playa Blanca
For Playa Blanca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Fuerteventura: Playa Blanca Minicruise to Papagayo: $73
- Lanzarote: Playa Blanca to Marina Rubicón Waterbus Ticket: $13
- Lanzarote: Snorkeling Tour: $65
- Lanzarote: Try Scuba Diving Experience: $112
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Playa Blanca €9.29
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Playa Blanca?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?
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 Funchal or Playa Blanca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Playa Blanca.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Playa Blanca in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Playa Blanca.
In the autumn, Funchal is around the same temperature as Playa Blanca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. In the autumn, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Playa Blanca in the Winter?
Both Playa Blanca and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In January, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Playa Blanca in the Spring?
Both Playa Blanca and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit.
Funchal is cooler than Playa Blanca in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Playa Blanca. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Funchal
| Funchal | Playa Blanca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.