How Much Does Funchal Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Funchal offers a diverse pricing landscape, making it accessible for budget-conscious hikers and luxury-seeking resort travelers alike. While daily expenses are generally lower than in major hubs like London or Paris, the island's unique geography means costs for transportation and specialized activities can add up. Visitors should expect daily budgets to range from $68 / €58 for solo budget travelers to $571 / €485 for those opting for high-end luxury. The local economy is geared toward tourism, so while a casual 'Prato do Dia' remains affordable, premium experiences like the famous New Year's Eve fireworks or botanical garden entries carry a higher price point. Understanding the balance between paid attractions and free natural wonders is key to managing costs in this subtropical destination.
Is Funchal expensive to visit?
Funchal is a moderately priced island destination, with daily costs ranging from $68 / €58 for budget travelers to $571 / €485 for those seeking a luxury resort experience.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Funchal
$68
per person /day
$206
per person /day
$571
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $205 | $618 | $1,713 |
| 5-Day Trip | $341 | $1,030 | $2,854 |
| 7-Day Trip | $478 | $1,442 | $3,996 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to cover the mandatory municipal tourist tax of roughly $16 / €14 per week and the $5.3 / €4.5 maintenance fees for popular hiking trails. This buffer also accounts for the 'couvert' charges and the high cost of full-coverage car insurance required for the island's steep, 30-degree mountain inclines.
How Does It Compare?
See how Funchal stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Funchal
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Standard price for a 'Prato do Dia' (dish of the day) in local cafes. | $14 €12 |
| Mid-Range 3-Course Dinner (Per Person) Average cost per person excluding wine and service. | $26 €23 |
| Domestic Beer (0.33L Coral) Local brand 'Coral' is the standard. Craft beers will cost ~$5.89 / €5. | $2.94 €2.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Aerobus Single Ticket Direct shuttle between the airport and Funchal city center/hotel zone. | $7.65 €6.5 |
| Funchal-Monte Cable Car Return One-way tickets cost ~$15 / €13. Children (7–14) pay ~$11 / €9 for a return. | $21 €18 |
| City Bus On-board Fare Purchase directly from the driver. Using a rechargeable GIRO card drops the price to ~$1.71 / €1.45 per trip. | $2.35 €2 |
| Ride-Hail (Bolt/Uber) Short City Trip Bolt is generally more available and cheaper than traditional taxis in Funchal. | $7.65 €6.5 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury 5-Star Hotel Night (Average) Market average for high-end resorts like the Savoy Palace or Belmond Reid's Palace. Prices spike significantly during New Year's Eve fireworks. | $438 €372 |
| Mid-Range Hotel Night (Average) Reflects standard 4-star hotels in the Lido or Sé districts. | $254 €216 |
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Santa Maria Hostel) Located in the Old Town (Zona Velha). High-end dorms can reach ~$47 / €40. | $34 €29 |
Activities (7)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Monte Toboggan Ride (Sledge for 2) A single person pays ~$32 / €28. Cash is the preferred payment method. | $41 €35 |
| Monte Palace Tropical Garden Entry Children under 15 are free when accompanied by an adult. | $21 €18 |
| Cabo Girão Skywalk Fee Free for residents and children under 12. | $5.89 €5 |
| Levada Trail Access Fee (PR6/PR9) Applies to the most popular trails (25 Fontes and Caldeirão Verde). Booking online in advance is required. | $5.3 €4.5 |
| Blandy’s Wine Lodge Essential Tour Includes a 45-minute tour and two tastings of Madeira wine. | $16 €14 |
| Botanical Garden Cable Car Return Connects Monte to the Botanical Gardens. One-way is ~$12 / €10. | $18 €16 |
| Porto Moniz Natural Pools Entry Valid for the volcanic pools with infrastructure (lifeguards, showers). | $3.53 €3 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Funchal ranges from inexpensive local lunches at $14 / €12 to mid-range three-course dinners averaging $26 / €23 per person. Local beverages are quite affordable, with a domestic Coral beer typically costing $2.94 / €2.5, though craft options and imported spirits will command a premium.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
A Bica
$9.42–$14 / €8–€12Zona Velha (Old Town) · Local chain
Try the 'Prego no Bolo do Caco' (steak sandwich on local bread) for ~$7.65 / €6.5.
Padaria Petit
$3.53–$8.24 / €3–€7City Center · Bakery
Great for a quick breakfast of coffee and 'Pastel de Nata' for ~$2.94 / €2.5.
O Calhau
$12–$18 / €10–€15Near the Cathedral · Local food type
Their lunch menu usually includes a main dish and drink for ~$13 / €11.
Snack-bar O Corujinha
$5.89–$12 / €5–€10Monte · Local chain
Perfect stop after the cable car before the toboggan ride.
Chalet dos Prazeres
$8.24–$14 / €7–€12Mercado dos Lavradores · Food court
Avoid buying the exotic fruits outside; eat the cooked meals inside for better value.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is most cost-effective via the local bus system, where a GIRO card reduces the on-board fare from $2.35 / €2 down to $1.71 / €1.45. For airport transfers, the Aerobus offers a reliable shuttle for $7.65 / €6.5, while ride-hailing services like Bolt provide short city trips for approximately $7.65 / €6.5.
Accommodation Overview
The accommodation market is split between the historic Zona Velha, where hostel dorms start around $34 / €29, and the Lido hotel zone dominated by four-star hotels averaging $254 / €216 per night. Luxury seekers can expect to pay roughly $438 / €372 per night for five-star coastal resorts, with prices rising during the flower and firework festivals.
Accommodation Budget in Funchal
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a rechargeable GIRO card for city buses to lower the per-trip cost from $2.35 / €2 to $1.71 / €1.45.
- 2 Look for 'Prato do Dia' (dish of the day) signs at local cafes like A Bica or Padaria Petit for a full meal around $14 / €12.
- 3 Opt for the GIRO 24-hour pass if planning multiple bus trips across different zones in Funchal.
- 4 Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores for the atmosphere, but buy fruit at local supermarkets like Pingo Doce to avoid inflated tourist prices.
- 5 Enjoy a Blandy’s Wine Lodge Essential Tour for $16 / €14, which provides history and two tastings for less than the cost of a premium cocktail.
- 6 Walk the promenade from Funchal to Câmara de Lobos to enjoy coastal views without paying for a taxi or tour boat.
- 7 Bring your own reusable water bottle; the tap water in Funchal is high quality and safe to drink, saving roughly $2.35 / €2 per bottle.
- 8 Book popular levada trails like PR6 or PR9 online in advance to secure the mandatory $5.3 / €4.5 access permit.
- 9 If traveling as a pair, share a Monte Toboggan sledge for $41 / €35 rather than paying the $32 / €28 single-rider rate.
- 10 Use Bolt for mountain trips where bus schedules are infrequent, as it is often cheaper than traditional taxis for short distances.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Jul, Aug
+30-50%
Nov, Jan, Feb
-25-35%
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Funchal is the 'Island of Eternal Spring'. May (Flower Festival) and December (NYE Fireworks) are the most expensive times. Shoulder months like June and September offer the best weather (22–25°C / 72–77°F) for ~$177 / €150/night.
Events to Watch
- ● Flower Festival (May): +40% hotel rates
- ● New Year's Eve (Dec 31): Fireworks attract massive crowds, prices double
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the colorful Santa Maria Street art in the Zona Velha.
- 2 Swim at Praia Formosa, the largest public black sand and pebble beach on the island.
- 3 Visit the Sé Cathedral (Funchal Cathedral) to admire its intricate mudéjar-style ceiling.
- 4 Walk through Santa Catarina Park for panoramic views of the Funchal harbor.
- 5 Window shop and soak in the sights at the historic Mercado dos Lavradores (entry is free).
- 6 Hike the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula for dramatic volcanic cliff views.
- 7 Visit the Jardim Municipal (City Garden) to see exotic flora and the local duck pond.
- 8 Watch the sunset from the Miradouro das Neves viewpoint east of the city.
- 9 Walk the cobblestone streets and harbor front of the traditional fishing village, Câmara de Lobos.
- 10 Explore the exterior and public areas of the Fortress of São Tiago.
- 11 Visit the Chapel of Corpo Santo in the Old Town to see 16th-century architecture.
- 12 Take a self-guided tour of the many public Miradouros (viewpoints) scattered around the Monte district.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Whale and Dolphin Watching (Catamaran)
Madeira is one of the best places in Europe to see marine life; sightings are very frequent.
Fine Dining at William Restaurant
Michelin-starred dining with panoramic views over the Funchal bay.
Full Day West Island Jeep Tour
The only way to access remote off-road peaks and valleys without a rental car.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Funchal
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Funchal and what they cost
Porto Moniz & Seixal
$53 / €45 by Minibus Tour
$3.53 / €3
$77 / €65
Santana & Pico do Arieiro
$53 / €45 by Minibus Tour
Free
$71 / €60
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
High in hotels and city restaurants; low for mountain snacks, toboggans, and some market stalls.
Service is usually included. Rounding up is common in cafes (~$0.59–$1.18 / €0.5–€1); 10% is appreciated in upscale restaurants.
Use Multibanco (MB) network ATMs for no local fees. Avoid Euronet machines which charge ~$4.65–$5.83 / €3.95–€4.95 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $5.89–$11 for 5GB (7 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 at Funchal airport for 30GB data.
WiFi: Excellent in Funchal city center and public gardens; non-existent on mountain levada trails.
A local SIM from MEO or NOS at the airport provides the best coverage for GPS on mountain roads.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Funchal.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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