Budget & Costs
What does Madeira cost?
Madeira is more affordable than mainland Portugal (Lisbon, Porto) and significantly cheaper than other Atlantic islands like the Azores or Cape Verde. Prices are 20–30% below the German level, especially for food, wine, and accommodations. The value for money is excellent.
Typical Prices (Reference 2025/2026)
| Item | Price (€) |
|---|---|
| Espresso (Bica) | 0.80–1.20 |
| Galão (Milk Coffee) | 1.20–1.80 |
| Poncha | 2.50–4.00 |
| Beer (Imperial, 0.3l) | 1.50–3.00 |
| Daily Menu (Prato do Dia) | 7–12 |
| Restaurant (Main Course) | 10–18 |
| Espetada (Beef on Skewer) | 14–20 |
| Fish (Espada com Banana) | 12–18 |
| Hostel / Simple Guesthouse | 20–40 |
| Mid-range Hotel (Double Room) | 50–100 |
| Boutique Hotel / Luxury | 100–250 |
| Rental Car (Small Car/Day) | 20–40 |
| Gasoline (per Liter) | 1.60–1.80 |
| Bus Funchal (Single Trip) | 1.35–3.50 |
| Ferry Porto Santo (Round Trip) | 50–70 |
| Toboggan Ride Monte | 30 (2 Persons) |
| Wine Cellar Tasting | 8–20 |
| Botanical Garden (Entry) | 6 |
Budget Levels
Budget (35–55€ per day)
Madeira is also excellent for backpackers and budget travelers. Hostels and simple guesthouses are available from €20/night, the Prato do Dia (daily special) in local restaurants costs €7–10 including a drink, and the best experiences — Levada walks, sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, Cabo Girão, Santana — are free. The city buses from Horários do Funchal are affordable, and fruit from the market costs almost nothing. A Poncha for €2.50 in the evening — and the day is perfect.
Mid-range (60–120€ per day)
A good hotel or apartment with sea view, rental car (almost indispensable for hikers on Madeira), dining in good restaurants, a wine cellar tasting, and perhaps a whale-watching tour. This is the ideal way to experience Madeira — exploring the island flexibly by car, hiking along Levadas, and enjoying Espetada on a laurel skewer in the evening.
Luxury (150–400€+ per day)
Madeira has excellent luxury hotels: the legendary Reid's Palace (since 1891, Winston Churchill's favorite hotel), the Savoy Palace, or the Cliff Bay. In addition, upscale restaurants, private boat tours for whale watching, winery visits with private tours, and spa treatments. Even in the luxury segment, Madeira is significantly cheaper than comparable destinations in Spain or France.
Tipp
The best saving tip for Madeira: Rent a small car (from €20/day) and eat the Prato do Dia (daily special) in local restaurants away from tourist areas — for €7–10 you get a complete lunch with soup, main course, dessert, and coffee. In the evening, Bolo do Caco and a Poncha — it doesn't get cheaper and more authentic than this.
War dieses Kapitel hilfreich?
