tourist office funchal

MADEIRA’S no 1 OFFICIAL GUIDE since 1997

• Tourist Offices

Tourist Information Offices

The tourism offices can provide you with useful information about interesting places to see, bus timetables, island maps  and other related services. Once on the island, you can contact the Tourist Green Line by telephone on 800 296 296. They will be able to help you in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, advise you about places to stay, to see, to eat and give you information about cultural events and the major festivals happening at the time. This service operates everyday (including holidays), from 09.00 to 21.00.

Visitors can also go directly to the tourism offices located around the entire island: Airport Tourism Office Open every day from 09:00 to 21:30. Tel: +351 291 524 933 Funchal Tourism Office Arriaga Avenue, nº 16, Funchal. Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00 and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00 to 15:30. Tel: +351 291 211 902 Port of Funchal Tourism Office Gare Marítima da Madeira - Pontinha, Porto do Funchal Open from 08:30 to 11:00 (When there is cruise ship movement) Monumental Lido Tourism Office Shopping Centre Monumental Lido, loja 284, Estrada Monumental  Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:30. Tel: +351 291 775 254 Curral das Freiras Tourist Information Office Estrada Cónego Camacho, Curral das Freiras. (Temporarily Closed) Tel: +351 291 721 183 Ribeira Brava Tourism Office Forte de São Bento Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:30. Tel: +351 291 951 675 Santana Tourism Office Sítio do Serrado Open Monday from 14:00 to 16:30. From Tuesday to Friday 9:30 to 16:00. Saturdays from 9:00 to 13:00. Tel: +351 291 575 162 Porto Moniz Tourism Office Vila do Porto Moniz Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:30. Tel: +351 291 853 075 Porto Santo Tourism Office Avenida Dr. Manuel Gregório Pestana Júnior Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:30. Tel: +351 291 985 244

© COPYRIGHT 1997-2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Information

Emergency services.

National Emergency Number

Regional Command of PSP

Contact: 291 208 400

Madeira Judiciary Police

Contact: 291 215 600

Civil Protection Service

Contact: 291 700 112

SANAS – Sea Rescue Service

Contact: 291 230 112

Maritime Search and Rescue Centre

Contact: 291 213 112

Funchal Municipal Fire Brigade

Contact: 291 222 122

Madeirenses Voluntary Fire Brigade

Contact: 291 229 115

Portuguese Red Cross

Contact: 291 741 115

Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital

Address: Avenida Luís de Camões, Nº57, 9004-514 Funchal

General Contact: 291 705 600

Secretariat of the Emergency Service: 291 705 608

Emergency Information blue line: 808 201 414

External Consultations: 291 705 678 and 291 705 607

Visitors Reception: 291 705 698

Blood and Transfusion Medicine Service: 291 705 750

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service: 291 709 673

Child Development Centre: 291 743 311

Pain Therapy Unit: 291 705 677

Marmeleiros Hospital

Address: Estrada dos Marmeleiros, 9050-495 Monte

Contact: 291 705 730

Dr. João de Almada Hospital

Address: Sítio da Quinta de Santana, 9050-535 Funchal

Contact: 291 780 300

Hospital da Luz

Address: Rua 5 de Outubro, 115 e 116, 9000-216 Funchal

Contact: 291 700 000

Hospital Particular da Madeira

Address: Avenida Mário Soares , Nº143, 9000-783 Funchal

Contact: 291 003 300

Santiago Health Centre – Funchal

Address: Rua Bela de Santiago 17

Contact: 291 208 120

Funchal Bom Jesus Health Centre – Funchal

Address: Rua das Horta, 67

Contact: 291 208 700

Health Centre Agostinho Cardoso – Funchal

Address: Campo da Barca

Contact: 291 207 020

Health Centre of Penteada – Funchal

Address: Ap. N. Cas. Bloco 5 r/c

Contact: 291 705 410

Santo António Health Centre – Funchal

Address: Caminho do Ribeirinho Santo António

Contact: 291 742 042

Health Centre Santa Isabel

Address: Rua do Monte – Funchal

Contact: 291 705 700

Health Centre of Nazaré

Address: Rua do Colégio Militar Nazaré

Contact: 291 764 700

Madeira Medical Center

Address: Rua do Hospital Velho, Nº23 – A, 9060-129 Funchal

Address: Rua das Murças Nº42, 9000-058 Funchal

Contact: 291 207 676

Santa Luzia Clinic

Address: Rua da Torrinha 5, 9054-516Funchal

Contact: 291 200 000

Address: Rua João de Deus Nº12C, 9050-027 Funchal

Contact: 291 229 003

Amparo Clinic

Address: Estrada Monumental, Edifício Monumental Residence, 9000-250 Funchal

Contact: 291 700 070

Arriaga Clinic

Address: Avenida Arriaga, 42B, Edifício Arriaga, Sala 5.5, 9000-064 Funchal

Contact: 291 282 590

IPRO Clinic

Address: Rua João de Deus 12B, 9050-027 Funchal

Contact: 291 232 972

Achada Fisioclinic

Address: Caminho da Achada Nº20A, 9000-208 Funchal

Contact: 291 751 393 / 929 093 025 / 960 311 355

Equilibrium – Physiotherapy

Address: Rua Vale da Ajuda, Bloco D Nº8 R/C, 9000-116 Funchal

Contact: 291 761 766

São Martinho Church Taxi Square

Contact: 291 765 620

Táxis Jardim Municipal Square

Contact: 291 220 911

Market Taxi Square

Contact: 291 226 400

Monte Taxi Square

Contact: 291 782 158

Largo do Colégio Taxi Square

Contact : 291 222 000

Nazaré Taxi Square

Contact: 291 762 780

Piornais Madeira Palácio Taxi Square

Contact: 291 766 620

Santo António Taxi Square

Contact: 291 743 110

Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses Taxi Square

Contact: 291 220 324

Largo António Nobre Taxi Sqaure

Contact: 291 774 474

Gorgulho Taxi Square

Contact: 291 771 610

Rua do Favila Taxi Square

Contact: 291 228 300

Cruz Carvalho Taxi Square

Contact: 291 743 770

Campo da Barca Taxi Square

Contact: 291 227 900

Táxis da Avenida Arriaga Square (near the Sé)

Contact: 291 222 500

Madeira Shopping Taxi Square

Contact: 291 795 149

Radio Service – Madeira Taxis

Health line 24.

(Questions/Information on Influenza A/H1N1)

Contact: 808 24 24 24 24

Children’s Messages” Green Line

(Line for receiving complaints from children or adults on their behalf regarding situations of risk or danger)

Contact: 800 20 66 56

Honorary Consulate of South Africa

Address: Hotel Madeira Carlton, Largo António Nobre Nº1, 9004-531 Funchal

Contact: 291 223 521 / 291 239 711

E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]

Office Hours: Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Germany

Address: Rua do Amparo, Nº26, Edifício Concórdia, Bloco G, 9000-774 Funchal

Contact: 291 707 280

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: By appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Austria

Address: Rua Imperatriz D. Amélia, Nº73, 9000-018 Funchal

Contact: 910 023 200

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Belgium

Address: Rua da Queimada de Cima, Nº28 – 3ºP, 9000-065 Funchal

Contact: 291 771 323

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Brazil

Address: Rua da Carreira, 125, Funchal, Portugal, 9000-142

Contact: 291 627 885

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 .m.

Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica

Address: Casa Escondida Travessa das Rolas No.25, 2705-333 Sintra

Contact: 219 290 581

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Croatia

Address: Avenida Arriaga, Nº42, Ed. Arriaga, 3º Andar, Sala 3.1, 9000- 064 Funchal

Contact: 291 231 673

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Denmark

Address: Rua do Paiol, Nº4, 9000-642 Funchal

Contact: 291 761 997

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 pm and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Slovakia

Address: Edifício Arriaga, Nº42 – C, Sala 5.5, Avenida Arriaga, 9000-064 Funchal

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Slovenia

Address: Avenida Arriaga Nº30, 3º Andar, Sala H, 9000-064 Funchal

Contact: 291 098 132

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Spain

Address: Rua das Mercês Nº41, 9000-224 Funchal

Contact: 291 006 530 / 966 022 204

E-mail: [email protected]

Embassy and Consulate of the United States of America

Address: Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa

Contact: 217 773 300

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Estonia

Address: Rua da Carreira, Nº73, 4ºAndar, 9000-042 Funchal

Contact: 291 100 091

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Finland

Address: Rua 31 de Janeiro, Nº12 – E – 4ºR, 9050-011 Funchal

Contact: 291 227 111

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of France

Address: Avenida do Infante Nº58, 9004-526 Funchal

Contact: 291 200 751

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Greece

Address: Edifício Baía, R/C Estrada Monumental 187, 9000-100 Funchal

Contact: 291 701 510

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of Netherlands

Address: Rua de Leichlingen, Nº5, 2ºAndar, 9000-003 Funchal

Contact: 291 703 803

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Hungary

Address: Rua Dr Pita, 2ºBloco C R/C Esq., 9000-089 Funchal

Contact: 962 733 477

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 pm to 5:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Italy

Address: Rua do Bom Jesus, 14 – 1 Fl. – Direito, 9050-028 Funchal

Contact: 291 223 890

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of Norway

Address: Rua das Maravilhas, Nº 23, 9000-177 Funchal

Contact: 291 741 512 / 291 091 179

E-mail: [email protected]

Honorary Consulate of United Kingdom

Address: Rua de São Bernardo 33, 1249-082 Lisboa

Contact: 213 924 000

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment.

Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic

Address: Avenida Arriaga 75, Marina Shopping loja 247, 9000-533 Funchal Contact: +351 913 093 132 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment

Honorary Consulate of Turkey

Address: Estrada Monumental 187, Loja 1, Bloco Este, 9000-100 Funchal Contact: +351 291 762 218 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., by appointment

Honorary Consulate of Venezuela

Address: Rua da Fábrica, Edifício Galerias do Carmo, 18, 4º Andar – Sala BA, 9050-019- Funchal Contact: +351 291 224 050 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., by appointment

Swedish Embassy and Consulate

Address: Avenida Arriaga 42 B, Edifício Arriaga, 2.º, n.º 4, 9000-064 Funchal Contact : +351 291 231 553 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours : Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment.

Madeira Border and Immigration Service

Address: Rua Nova da Rochinha 1 – B, 9064-509 Funchal Contact: +351 291 214 150 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., by appointment

Contacts and addresses listed in the Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Portugal Directory, Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

More information: www.mne.gov.pt/mne/pt/ministerio/CorpoDiplomatico

Avenida Arriaga Tourist Information Office

Address: Avenida Arriaga 16, 9004-519 Funchal

Contact:  +351 291 145 305

Email: [email protected]

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.| Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Estrada Monumental Tourist Information Office

Address: Estrada Monumental 175, 9000-100 Funchal

Contact: +351 291 620 028

Opening Hours: Every day from 9h30 to 16h

Municipal Tourism Office Farmer’s Market

Address: Mercado dos Lavradores piso 2, 9060-158 Funchal

Email: [email protected]

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. | Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Sundays and Bank Holidays: closed

Câmara Municipal do Funchal Praça do Município 9004-512 Funchal

www.funchal.pt

Farmer’s Market

Parks and Gardens

Funchal’s Ecological Park

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Useful Information

Where to stay

Where to eat

Monte Events

Contact Center CMF

291 211 000

(every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

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Madeira Tourism offices...

Around the island.

Tel: (+351) 291 211 900 - Fax: (+351) 291 232 151 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tourist Office of Funchal Avenida Arriaga, n. º16 9004-519 Funchal Tel: +351 291 211902 Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00hrs; Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 9:00 to 15:30hrs. Tourist Office Monumental Lido C.C.Monumental Lido Estrada Monumental, 284 9000-100 Funchal Tel: +351 291 775254 Open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:30hrs. Tourist Office of Pontinha (Funchal harbour) Gare Marítima da Madeira, Área de desembarque - Piso 1, Porto do Funchal, 9004-518 Funchal Only open upon the arrival of cruise liners, from 8:00 to 11:00hrs. Tourist Office of the Airport Santa Catarina de Baixo 9100 Santa Cruz Tel: +351 291 524933 Open everyday from 09:00 to 21:30hrs. Tourist Office of Ribeira Brava Forte de São Bento 9350 Ribeira Brava Tel: +351 291 951675 Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00hrs, Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30hrs. Tourist Office of Porto Moniz Town of Porto Moniz 9270 Porto Moniz Tel: +351 291 853075 Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:15hrs, Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00hrs (temporary schedule). Tourist Office of Santana Sítio do Serrado 9230 Santana Tel: +351 291 575162 Open on Monday from 14:00 to 16:30hrs; Tuesday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:00hrs; Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00hrs. Porto Santo Tourist Office Av. Dr. Manuel Gregório Pestana Júnior 9400 Porto Santo Tel: +351 291 985244 Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30hrs. Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30hrs. Madeira Tourist Office in Lisbon Avenida 5 de Outubro, 137 A 1050-052 Tel: +351 21 7817257 Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:30hrs (temporary schedule). INFORMATION SOURCE: www.visitmadeira.pt

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Funchal Guide

• Attractions
• Accommodation
• Entertainment

Portugal City Travel Guide: Funchal, Madeira

Funchal , meaning "fennel" in Portuguese is the largest town and capital of Madeira . With a population of around 111,000, Funchal is the sixth largest Portuguese city.

Lying in a natural amphitheater by the sea, squeezed between cliffs and the 1,000 meter high mountains behind, the city is the main place to stay, eat and drink and generally have fun on the island.

Located on the southern coast, the town is the also the major transport hub for getting around the rest of this beautiful island.

Funchal Attractions

The lively capital of Funchal reflects much of Madeira's rich history dating back to its founding in 1424. The main black and white paved square Praça do Município is flanked by many fine buildings including the eighteenth century Câmara Municipal (Town Hall) and the Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art). The museum has a collection of Flemish art from the 15-16th centuries, collected during the island's profitable sugar trade with mainland Europe.

Historic churches in Funchal include the Capela do Corpo Santo , dedicated to São Pedro Gonçalves Telmo (1190-1246), the patron saint of seafarers and fisher-folk, Santa Clara, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte , the Igreja Inglesa and the Santa Catarina Chapel in Santa Catarina Park (Parque de Santa Catarina).

Other places of interest in Funchal are the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmer's Market) - a bustling scene of exotic flowers, fresh fish and local vegetables. Come early in the morning to experience the market at its best.

Blandy's wine lodge is a Madeiran institution and often a must-see sight for tourists, especially Brits, on their holidays on the Portuguese island.

The Blandys are the last remaining family of all the original businesses of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own wine company to this day. The Blandy business began in 1811 and the family have a reputation as modernizers who have been able to keep pace with the ups and downs of the Madeira wine business over the last two centuries and thus remain in control of their original enterprise - making fine Madeira wines. Guided tours of the wine lodge in various languages are available from Monday to Saturday. The tours end with a wine tasting.

The Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) on Caminho do Meio and the Museum of Contemporary Art in São Tiago Fort are two other of Funchal's must-sees.

The garden was formerly the Bom Sucesso Estate owned by the Reid family (of Reid's Palace Hotel fame). It is now administered by the Regional Government of Madeira and opened in 1960. There are several separate parts to the garden. These include an area dedicated to indigenous and endemic plants from not only Madeira but also the Azores , the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Loiro Park within the garden is an aviary with exotic cockatoos, parrots and parakeets.

Funchal and Madeira as a whole have many other fine gardens and parks . These include Monte Palace Tropical Garden , the Orchid Garden (Jardim Orquidea), Quinta Palmeira, Quinta Magnólia, Quinta Vigia and Palheiro Gardens.

History enthusiasts head for the 16th century Sé (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) and the Museu de Fotografia Vicentes at 43 Rua da Carreira, Funchal with a fascinating collection of old photographs of life on Madeira. Football fans make for the CR7 Museum near the marina - hagiographic homage to Cristiano Ronaldo , Madeira's sacred, sporting son made good.

The Quinta das Cruzes , once owned by a rich wine shipping family is full of works of art and priceless antiques. Santa Catarina Park  lies between Avenida do Infante and Avenida Sá Carneiro and offers great views over Funchal. The park boasts large lawns, flower beds full of sub-tropical plants and statues of both Columbus and Henry the Navigator . The relaxing Jardim Municipal do Funchal opposite Blandy's is also worth a visit.

Driving north or travelling on the cable car from Funchal is the hill resort of Monte , which is often compared to Sintra near Lisbon on account of its fine quintas (palaces), churches, gardens and scenic hill-top location. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a favourite destination along with the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte .

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is on several levels and includes ponds and cascades, exotic trees and plants as well as a mineral museum. The garden was established by the businessman and art collector José Berardo (who also founded the excellent Berardo Collection Museum in the  Centro Cultural de Belém in  Lisbon ). The garden includes two authentic Oriental gardens, one Chinese and one Japanese with references to the Age of Discovery that took Portuguese adventurers to both countries.

It is possible to return to Funchal on a unique form of transport - a wickerwork sledge ( carro de cesto ) on wooden runners pushed by two carreiros , or sledge drivers.

Tea at Reid's Hotel overlooking Funchal Bay is a step back in history to savour the traditions of the British aristocracy, who flocked to the island in the 19th century for its mild climate and stayed to foster Madeira's cottage industries of cane furniture, embroidery ( bordados ) and malmsey wine production.

Other famous Brits who have spent time here include former Prime Minsters Sir Winston Churchill who wrote volume four of his memoirs The Hinge of Fate at Reid's and Margaret Thatcher who honeymooned on Madeira at the Savoy Hotel . Captain Cook on The Endeavour in 1768 and George Bernard Shaw to learn to dance were also visitors.

The British are also particularly associated with Madeira wines , which were drunk throughout the old colonies as their taste improved with long sea journeys. Names such as Blandy, Cossart and Gordon are synonymous with the wine and it is possible to visit the wine lodges of D'Oliveiras in Rua dos Ferreiros, Henriques & Henriques in Camaro de Lobos and Blandy's in the Adegas de Sao Francisco (Avenida Arriaga, 28).

Funchal Tourist Office

Posto de Turismo do Funchal Avenida Arriaga, 18 9000 Funchal Tel: 236 161

Getting to + around Madeira

There are flights to Funchal ( Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport ) from Lisbon , Porto , Faro (via Lisbon) and the Azores in Portugal and many cities in mainland Europe (from Amsterdam with KLM, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, London Gatwick, Madrid, Manchester (4 hours), Milan, Munich, Paris) including scheduled, charter and no-frills, budget flights.

British Airways (BA) and TAP Air Portugal fly the 3-hour flight from London. The airport (tel. 291 520 700) is 16 km east of Funchal in Santa Cruz , around 20 minutes by car or taxi .

Car Travel in Portugal

It is possible to drive around the island and through the interior using a hire car or taxi.

Bus Travel in Portugal

There are fairly frequent municipal buses in Funchal and less frequent services to the outlying villages including bus services to Ribeiro Frio, Machico, Faial, Sao Vicente etc. The main bus company on the island is Horários do Funchal which also runs Carros de São Gonçalo services.

Other smaller bus companies are EACL, SAM (Sociedade de Automóveis da Madeira) and Rodoeste. Rodoeste has buses to Porto Moniz, Sao Vincente and points west of Funchal. SAM operates the Aerobus and EACL (Empresa de Automóveis do Caniço) has services to Garajau and other places in the east of Madeira.

There is no central bus station in Funchal. The seafront on Avenida do Mar is a good place to find an Horários do Funchal bus. EACL buses leave from Rua Dom Carlos I. Several Rodoeste services depart from the Hotel Zone (Lido).

Fares for Horários do Funchal city buses are 1.95 € for a single ride or 4.50 € for a one-day pass. A 24-hour Giro 24 card costs 12.50 € and can be used on both city (urbano) and more long-distance (interurbano) buses.

Horários do Funchal Linha Eco electric buses are wheel-chair friendly.

Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation

Featured Hotel in Madeira

Reid's Palace Hotel Madeira Estrada Monumental 139 Funchal, Madeira 9000-098 An historical, world famous legend of luxury first opened for British aristocrats in 1891. Breathtaking views and beautiful sub-tropical gardens. 5 stars.

Book this hotel

Other top end hotels on Madeira include the LTI Pestana Grand Ocean Resort Hotel , with spa, steam baths, saunas and indoor pool, the Pestana Casino Park Hotel & Casino , overlooking the Bay of Funchal, the Pestana CR7 Funchal above the Museu CR7 and The Cliff Bay - PortoBay boasting indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a 2-Michelin star restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

Budget options in Funchal include the 3 star Hotel Monte Carlo , the Hotel Catedral , also 3 star with air-conditioned rooms and terrace and the excellent, value for money Hotel Madeira .

See a full listing of hotels in Funchal and hotels in Madeira as a whole.

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Funchal has a good variety of both local and international restaurants with seafood often a specialty. Espada (scabbard fish) served with bananas should be on visitors' menus. Bolo de caco is a type of local bread made from sweet potatoes.

The island is an exotic fruit lover's paradise: delicious bananas, blueberries, cactus figs, cherries, custard apples, grapes, passion fruit, pears and watermelons are all readily available in season.

Some recommended restaurants are the two Michelin-starred Il Gallo d'Oro (reservations essential) within The Cliff Bay Hotel, William with one Michelin star in Reid's Hotel and Restaurante Gavião Novo on Rua de Santa Maria, known for its excellent locally-caught seafood.

Also well worth visiting are Dona Amelia at Rùa Imperatriz D Amelia 83, the arty Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe and Indian Palace Restaurant for quality Indian food.

Yet more options in the medium price range are Hoyo Hoyo Sabores de Moçambique , Kampo by Chef Julio Pereira and O Americano on Rua da Carreira.

Funchal has a good variety of bars which tend to get lively at the weekends. Cafe do Teatro (next to Municipal Theatre) is well-known. Also sample poncha, a very sweet local alcoholic drink made from sugar cane, orange or lemon juice and mixed with honey. Similar to "punch" in English and claimed to cure the common cold.

Some great bars in town include 23 Vintage on Rua de Santa Maria, Venda Velha for poncha and Living Room on Largo dos Varadouros which is bar, micro club and art space all in one funky venue.

Rua de Santa Maria is a lively street lined with many restaurants and bars plus some notable street art.

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The island of Porto Santo (14 km by 5 km) reached by plane or ferry from Madeira is in stark contrast to its mountainous and lush neighbour 50 km to the south west.

The island has little natural vegetation but does have in abundance the golden sandy beaches which Madeira lacks - a 9 km long stretch to be precise on the south of the island.

The capital Vila Baleira has a museum celebrating Christopher Columbus, who came to the island in 1478 and later married Felipa Moniz Perestrelo, the governor's daughter. There is a scenic look-out point at Portela but the island's main attractions are its tranquility and crystal clear waters.

Funchal to Porto Santo Ferries

Ferries connect Funchal to the smaller island of Porto Santo. The crossing takes about 2 hours, 15 minutes. The ferry is operated by Porto Santo Line .

Book a ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo with Direct Ferries .

Other Places of Interest on Madeira

The more remote northern side of the island has some interesting villages including Porto Moniz to the west and Santana to the east - famous for its picturesque thatched cottages - palheiros . Porto Moniz is known for its natural swimming pools formed by volcanic lava and filled with Atlantic sea water. There is a safe area here reserved for kids.

"Madeira" means "wood" in Portuguese and the laurisilva forest that remains on the northern hills of Madeira once covered the whole island as well as The Azores and the Canary Islands, and was, at one time, widespread in Europe. Laurisilva forest, made up of laurel-leaved, evergreen hardwoods, supports a rich plant and animal diversity including bryophytes, ferns and flowering plants and the endemic Madeiran long-toed pigeon. The forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

A wide variety of leisure activities are available on the island including 45 holes of golf at Madeira's two courses: Santo da Serra Golf Club and Palheiro Golf Club as well as a casino, sailing, fishing, diving, walking and bird-watching.

Whale and dolphin watching is another popular activity on Madeira with a number of companies organizing boat tours where visitors have over a 90% chance of seeing either dolphins or whales year round.

Included on bus tours of the island is a trip to the highest skywalk at Cabo Girão .

Ilhas Desertas

16 km south east of Madeira are the uninhabited islands of Deserta Grande and Bugio which are now a nature reserve for the islands' birds, seals and poisonous spiders. Boats trips to visit the islands can be made in Funchal. 215 km (135 miles) south of Madeira are yet more deserted islands - the Ilhas Selvagens (Savage Islands) which remain a nature reserve of interest to scientists for their colonies of marine birds.

Images of Madeira

Local football teams in Madeira

Club Sport Marítimo Funchal

Founded 1910. Stadium name: Estádio dos Barreiros capacity 8,900.

Marítimo are a fairly solid member of the Portuguese First Division and the team in red and green stripes have reached the heady heights of playing in European competition.

CD Nacional Madeira

Founded 1910. Stadium name: Estádio Eng. Rui Alves capacity 3,000

Nacional were promoted to Portugal's First Division in 2002 and the team in black and white stripes have maintained their status since then and appeared in European competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo , presently playing in Saudi Arabia after leaving Manchester United following successful spells at Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United (again), was born on the island of Madeira and is the island's favourite son. Funchal Airport is now named after him and once had a rather unflattering statue of Cristiano (now replaced by a new version). The CR7 Museum (Museu CR7) displays Ronaldo's trophies won through his glittering career as a footballer for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. The floor of the museum is done in traditional calçada , pavement style. Above the museum is the recommended four star Pestana CR7 Funchal .

The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade. Get more weather information for Portugal

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Funchal

Written by Paul Bernhardt Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Funchal is the vibrant capital of Madeira, a subtropical island in the Atlantic Ocean around 960 kilometers southwest of Lisbon. Framed by a dramatic backdrop of towering, cloud-tipped mountains on the island's south coast, the city unfolds over a series of steep hills and flattened terraces, a landscape that helps define the character of this extraordinary destination.

Funchal has much to offer the visitor. Its wealth of historic monuments range from cherished convents and sturdy sea forts to venerable museums and a cathedral that dates back to the early days of the island's colonization.

Madeira's abundance of colorful and exotic flora is apparent in the parks and gardens that enliven the city's urban fabric. The daily market tempts with ripe, succulent fruit and vegetables and the freshest of fish and seafood.

Wander the Old Town for an authentic glimpse into the past before taking a cable car for a stunning overview of the city - a truly uplifting sightseeing excursion. Later, head for the harborside promenade and marvel as twilight Funchal begins to sparkle as if sprinkled with diamonds.

For ideas on other worthwhile places to visit, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Funchal.

See also: Where to Stay in Funchal

1. Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden)

2. levada walks, 3. madeira story centre, 4. teleférico do funchal, 5. museu da quinta das cruzes, 6. convento de santa clara, 7. mercado dos lavradores, 8. whale and dolphin watching, 9. quinta do palheiro (palheiro gardens), 10. sé (cathedral), 11. madeira film experience, 12. museu de arte sacra (sacred art museum), 13. zona velha (old town), 14. monte toboggan run, 15. jardim tropical monte palace (monte palace tropical gardens), 16. museu cr7, where to stay in funchal for sightseeing, frequently asked questions, what are the best golf courses near funchal, what are the best beach resorts near funchal, what are some other must-see destinations near funchal, map of tourist attractions in funchal, funchal, portugal - climate chart.

About four kilometers northeast of Funchal city center is one of Madeira Island's greatest tourist attractions, the Botanical Garden. Draped over the slopes of the Quinta do Bom Sucesso estate, the garden dazzles with its rich and diverse subtropical flora. Thousands of indigenous plants, trees and flowers share the grounds with other exotic species from around the world.

A manor house that used to belong to the estate's original owners is now the Natural History Museum, which is situated near the entrance. The western edge of the garden affords spectacular views across Funchal bay, and a novel way of reaching the estate is by the Teleférico do Funchal cable car.

Address: Quinta do Bom Sucesso, Caminho do Meio, Funchal, Madeira

Of all the recreational things to do in Madeira, walking the levada footpaths is arguably the most popular activity. Hiking across the island following these narrow man-made irrigation channels is one of the great pleasures afforded to visitors, and there are dozens of these unique channels to explore.

The levadas of Madeira carry water to all four corners of the island, the channels collecting rainwater throughout the year. Maintenance paths run alongside the levadas , providing a network of scenic footpaths reaching into remote parts of the island. Some skirt the coast.

You can tread a path alone, but to get the most out of a hike, it's better to sign up for a guided walking tour. This way, you'll enjoy the company of other like-minded individuals and benefit from the expertise of a seasoned local with expert knowledge of the outdoors.

One of the first things to do in Funchal is visit this excellent museum near the Teleférico do Funchal, which charts the history and culture of the Madeira archipelago in an engaging and highly entertaining manner.

Themed exhibitions are arranged according to periods in the islands' history, and visitors are able to interact with each subject through sound, vision, and other state-of-the-art multimedia technology. There are even special smell boxes that recreate the fragrance of a particular environment. An on-site shop stocks a quirky array of gifts and locally made artifacts.

Address: Rua Dom Carlos I, Funchal, Madeira

Official site: http://www.madeirastorycentre.com/

The Madeira Cable Car is one of Funchal's most popular sightseeing attractions. Passengers are taken on a 15-minute "flight" over the Madeiran capital and up into the surrounding hills. Specially designed cabins afford outstanding 360-degree views of the town below, the dramatic mountain landscape, and a shimmering blue Atlantic Ocean.

At its highest point, the cable car glides 560 meters above sea level. Departing from the esplanade near the Zona Velha, passengers can alight at Jardim Botânico or continue towards Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, the final destination. From here, a novel way of returning to the city center is by the Monte Toboggan.

Address: Caminho das Babosas, Funchal, Madeira

Official site: http://www.telefericodofunchal.com

The Quinta das Cruzes estate crowns a steep rise behind Funchal town center. The lush, verdant grounds encompass an excellent museum housed in a mansion that used to be the family residence of Portuguese navigator João Gonçalves Zarco who, together with Tristão Vaz Teixeira, discovered Madeira in 1419.

The museum displays decorative artworks that poignantly evoke the period in which Zarco lived and provides a suitable introduction to the history behind the island's early pioneers. A tea house set in the landscaped gardens offers tourists light refreshments.

Visitors can combine an excursion to the Quinta with a visit to the nearby Convento de Santa Clara .

Address: Calçada do Pico 1, Funchal, Madeira

Official site: https://mqc.madeira.gov.pt/en/

A short walk from the Museu da Quinta das Cruzes is the serene Santa Clara Convent. Founded in 1476, the convent was last occupied by nuns in 1890. Today, visitors can meander through the simply furnished Upper and Lower Choir rooms before wandering the elegant cloisters, which provided access to chapels and oratories.

The convent's bell tower is noted for its Moorish-style cupola, decorated with a chessboard of blue, white, and gold ceramic tiles. Neighboring the convent is Santa Clara Church, completed in 1493 and equally celebrated for its beautiful and intricate tile work.

Address: Calçada de Santa Clara 15, Funchal, Madeira

One of the most memorable things to do in Funchal is to spend a morning at the colorful and animated farmers market. Located east of the Se , this is the island's largest market, where stallholders sell huge bunches of flowers and a vast array of fresh fruit and vegetables in a handsome Art Deco hall.

An assortment of fish and seafood landed the same day lures shoppers to the basement - tuna and espada (scabbardfish) are favorite purchases. The first-floor is a warren of independent retail outlets specializing in local handicraft, wicker, and leatherwork. The market is at its busiest on Friday and Saturday mornings when farmers bring in their produce from surrounding villages.

Address: Rua Profetas, Funchal, Madeira

Madeira's position in the Atlantic Ocean makes it a prime location for whale and dolphin watching. An excursion to see these beautiful and majestic creatures in their natural habitat is always a memorable activity, and one of the most rewarding things to do in Funchal.

Indeed, a dolphin and whale watching cruise on a luxury catamaran from Funchal provides some wonderful opportunities to observe these playful mammals at close quarters and combines a fun day out with an educational and environmental awareness program.

Madeira whale and dolphin watching operations prioritize the welfare of mammals and other sea life and are run by expert guides. The cruises are suitable for all ages and are especially beneficial for youngsters.

Rich in color and scent, the carefully nurtured Palheiro Gardens are divided into several distinct habitats: The Stream Garden, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Lady's Garden, and the wild and deliberately overgrown Hell's Valley. Tourists from around the world are drawn to Palheiro's astonishing collection of flowers, displays that include rare and delicate orchids and camellias.

The gardens, created by a wealthy nobleman in 1801, are also renowned for their tropical trees, abundance of plant life, and fauna - more than 290 different species of birds have been observed around the estate.

Address: Caminho da Quinta do Palheiro 32, São Gonçalo, Funchal, Madeira

Official site: http://www.palheirogardens.com

Funchal's cathedral was consecrated in 1514 and is a functioning religious building. Its rather austere façade belies a rich interior that features an early 16th-century gilded altarpiece and richly carved sanctuary.

A fabulous ceiling of white cedar with ivory inlay further heightens the ornate Gothic woodwork. Its knotwork style blends Moorish and European architectural elements, and is one of the finest examples of its kind in Portugal.

The cathedral remains a focus of Funchal society, and while it's free to enter, sightseeing should be timed between church services.

Address: Largo da Sé, Funchal, Madeira

Six hundred years of Madeira's fascinating, intriguing, and often turbulent history is brought to vivid life in a 30-minute animated film that takes viewers through the main periods of the island's past.

A stunningly produced audiovisual treat, this mini-documentary tells the struggle of early settlers as they faced revolution, war, famine, and isolation. It also celebrates the islanders' singular resolve in adapting to such a harsh and difficult climate, and their eventual success in transforming a speck of land in the Atlantic Ocean into the idyllic destination it is today.

Screened in continuous sessions with a soundtrack in several languages, the film is an ideal and suitably dramatic introduction to Madeira and its culture and people.

Address: Marina Shopping, Store 223, Rua Conselheiro José Silvestre, Funchal

Official site: http://www.madeirafilmexperience.com

Funchal's Sacred Art Museum enjoys a stately presence in the former bishop's palace, a building dating from 1600. The rich cache of rare paintings and statues, illuminated books, and gold-embroidered vestments are arranged chronologically between the 15th and 19th centuries over two floors.

The exhibits reflect the propensity by Madeiran merchants to spend profits generated from the island's lucrative sugar trade on commissioning works of religious art to secure their salvation in the afterlife.

The palace itself is of considerable architectural merit and the museum makes for a quiet and contemplative diversion.

Address: Rua do Bispo, Funchal, Madeira

Official site: http://www.museuartesacrafunchal.org

As the name indicates, Funchal's "Old Town" is the city's oldest neighborhood and is where some of the earliest streets and buildings are located. An imaginative urban regeneration initiative has seen the doors in Rua Santa Marta and other nearby roads painted by Portuguese and international artists as part of the Arte Portas Abertas (Art Open Doors) project.

The many different and striking designs have effectively created an open-air gallery, where tourists can wander the area at leisure and admire this extraordinary urban canvas.

Location: Rua Santa Marta and environs

Official site: http://www.arteportasabertas.com

Ernest Hemingway once described the Monte Toboggan run as "exhilarating" such was the great writer's sense of amazement after being whisked down a steep hill in a wicker basket.

Originating in the 19th century as a rudimentary form of public transport, the tradition continues whereby passengers seated in a wooden sled mounted on wooden runners are steered downhill by carreiros - two men dressed in white and wearing straw boaters - who use their rubber-soled boots as brakes to negotiate the four-kilometer descent from Monte to Funchal in 20 minutes.

Address: Caminho de Ferro, Monte, Madeira

Easily reached by cable car from Funchal , the luxuriant oriental-styled Monte Palace Tropical Gardens offer tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Funchal.

Set 600 meters above the city, the landscaped gardens are frequented by free-roaming heron, peacock, and black swan, among other wildlife. Plump koi patrol the estate's crystal-clear lakes, the borders of which are decorated with Art Deco scenic panels.

Within the grounds is the Monte Palace Museum, which houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Zimbabwean sculpture found in Europe. Another wing is devoted to an astonishing display of minerals and gems.

Address: Caminho do Monte, Monte, Madeira

Official site: http://www.montepalace.com

A must-see for any football fan and a positive pilgrimage for admirers of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo , the CR7 Museum is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Funchal.

Named after his initials and national team shirt number, the museum is essentially a swanky depository for the numerous cups, winner's medals, man-of-the-match and player-of-the-year awards, and golden boot trophies the Madeira-born footballing superstar has collected throughout his glittering career.

Fan letters from around the world also form part of the exhibition, as well as a display of shirts and other sporting paraphernalia connected to the man many regard as the world's greatest footballer.

Address: Avenida Sá Carneiro, Praça do Mar 27, Funchal

Official site: https://museucr7.com/#

Many of Funchal's main tourist attractions cluster in the Old Town close to the waterfront. Here, you'll find most of the churches and museums and the colorful market. Along the coast to the west is the Porto Bay area and the village of Câmara de Lobos, from which shuttle buses run to the main square. Attractions on the hills above are reached by cable cars, so most locations are handy for sightseeing. Here are some highly rated hotels in Funchal:

• Luxury Hotels : Most luxury hotels sit above the town center but within easy reach. Elegant teas on the terrace, two pools, sea views, and impeccable service make Belmond Reid's Palace a Madeira legend. The stylish modern architecture of boutique Quinta da Casa Branca sits amid gardens, with a beautiful pool. Family-run Quintinha Sao Joao , whose balconies overlook gardens a short walk from the town, has a country house feel (and a pool).
• Mid-Range Hotels: All these midrange hotels are in Porto Bay, within walking distance or a shuttle ride (often free) from the Old Town. Porto Mare Hotel is a full-service resort with multiple pools, set in subtropical gardens next to the seaside promenade. Farther along the coast, Madeira Regency Cliff offers a free breakfast, indoor and outdoor pools, and sea views from every room. Suite Hotel Eden Mar is a resort with multiple pools set in gardens.
• Budget Hotels: In the center of the Old Town near the cathedral, museums, and restaurants, Hotel Madeira has a rooftop pool. Also in the Old Town and with mountain views from its rooftop pool, the small Hotel do Carmo has rooms with balconies. Near restaurants and the bus station, Hotel Orquidea offers basic rooms in the city center, along with free breakfast and views from its rooftop terrace.

Palheiro Golf : A 10-minute drive east out of Funchal is Palheiro Golf Course, one of the top golf courses in Portugal . Set at nearly 500 meters above sea level overlooking the city, this is one of Europe's most beautiful golf courses . The views alone are simply breathtaking!

The 18-hole, par 72 layout was designed by Cabell B. Robinson and makes full use of the hilly terrain.

Play is challenging, with often narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and fast undulating greens requiring patience and accuracy. Lofty plane trees and fragrant Monterey pine provide further, albeit scenic, hazards for the wayward golfer.

The back nine feature one of the toughest holes on the course, the 17 th , approached from a sloping fairway and set on an elevated green. Come in under par at Palheiro, and you'll be left feeling on top of the world!

Address: Rua do Balancal 29, Funchal

Santo da Serra : Not one but three layouts constitute the Santo da Serra Golf Course, set in Madeira's tranquil interior 25 kilometers northeast of Funchal.

Santo da Serra is a 27-hole, par 72 challenge comprising three nine-hole courses: Machico, Desertas, and Serra. The Madeira Island Open is hosted here, played as an 18-hole tournament across the demanding Machico and Desertas golf courses. In fact, the 3 rd and 4 th on Machico are considered signature holes.

While the terrain characterizing the Serra course is a little flatter and more forgiving in places, the layout nonetheless requires a high level of concentrated play.

But you still might get distracted. Santo da Serra wows with its lofty location, and the views for golfers are fantastically panoramic.

But the scenery is not the only thing that can blow you away. The course is subject to variable winds that can play havoc with the score on any hole.

Address: Santo António da Serra, Machico

Saccharum : The double-sided, artificially created sandy beaches of Calheta add a tantalizing dimension to the upscale leisure facilities provided by Saccharum .

Located at Arco da Calheta, a village hugging Madeira's south coast 35 kilometers west of Funchal, the resort, described as a hedonist's retreat, is set in a sheltered bay between the sea and the mountains.

Meliá Madeira Mare : With direct access to Praia do Gorgulho, a small pebble beach fronting the esplanade, the Meliá Madeira Mare resort hotel provides its guests with the option of indulging in some seaside fun without straying too far from their rooms.

The hotel, an eye-catching and contemporary property located on Funchal's Lido, is just a 30-minute walk from the center of town.

Pestana Porto Santo : You'll need to catch a flight or board a ferry to reach the all-inclusive Pestana Porto Santo . The resort is found on Porto Santo, Madeira's sister island, anchored 40 kilometers northeast of Funchal.

The hotel property can truly be described as a beach resort, as it skirts the archipelago's finest beach - a nine-kilometer band of soft, golden sand that draws beachgoers from across Europe.

Curral das Freiras : Hidden away in Madeira's mountainous interior is this beautiful little village nestling in a deep valley, a world away, it seems, from the 21 st -century.

Once a 16 th -century refuge for nuns fleeing from pirate attacks along the coast, Curral das Freiras is no more than an enchanting collection of quaint houses, shops, and cafés.

The small community is dwarfed by a truly awesome environment of precipitous rock, textured by chestnut woods and the tears left by tumbling waterfalls.

Câmera de Lobos : Drive 10 kilometers west out of Funchal, and you'll reach Câmera de Lobos, a picturesque fishing village famous for its association with Sir Winston Churchill.

The great statesman visited often, capturing colorful and vibrant harbor scenes on canvas while puffing on his trademark cigar.

The fishermen's boats are still here, and the destination still exudes vintage charm.

More on Portugal

• Useful Information
• Tourist Offices

Madeira Tourist Offices

The Regional Tourism Department in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, has several information centers for customer care.

Avenida Arriaga nº16

Sé, Funchal

Monday to Friday:

9h00 to 20h00.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays:

9h00 to 16h30.

Phone number:

(+351) 291 211 902

Gare Marítima da Madeira

Área de desembarque - Piso 1 Porto do Funchal

Centro Comercial Monumental Lido

Estrada Monumental, 284

São Martinho, Funchal

(+351) 291 775 254

Santa Catarina de Baixo

Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Sunday to Saturday:

9h00 to 21h30.

(+351) 291 524 933

Forte de São Bento

Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Brava

9h30 to 16h30.

10h00 to 12h30.

(+351) 291 951 675

Machico, Machico

Estrada Cónego Camacho

Curral das Freiras, Câmara de Lobos

Tuesday and Thursday:

9h30 to 15h30.

(+351) 291 721 183

Vila do Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz, Porto Moniz

(+351) 291 853 075

Sitio do Serrado

Santana, Santana

14h00 to 17h30.

Tuesday and Friday:

9h30 to 7h00.

9h00 to 13h00.

(+351) 291 575 162

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31 Things To Do in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Funchal – the capital of the Portuguese Island of Madeira – is a hub of activity and tourist attractions. To help you plan your perfect vacation, we are sharing the Top Things To Do in Funchal, Madeira. 

Our list of Funchal Things To Do focuses mainly on the vibrant port city, but includes some Madeira Island exploration, as well. Plus, we feature top travel tips for planning your vacation to Portugal.

Planning a Trip to Funchal, Madeira

Funchal trip planning can be a big task. In addition to determining what sights to see in Funchal, visitors also need to consider how to get there and where to stay. No worries! We cover the need-to-know info in the Funchal Travel Tips section at the end of the article. 

We also outline an ideal 7-day trip in our One Week Madeira Itinerary , which can help fellow travelers decide how best to spend their time on the island. 

A big part of Funchal trip planning is determining what and where to eat. We love sampling the local fare and detail the best things to eat in our Madeira Food Guide .

As Madeira may not be your only vacation destination in Portugal, you might find these articles to be useful while planning your trip:

• Portugal in 10 Days
• 3 Days in Lisbon (Plus the Best Viewpoints and Most Beautiful Churches )
• Free Things To Do in Lisbon
• Tops Tips for Visiting Sintra  and Belem from Lisbon
• A Perfect Porto Itinerary (and DIY Porto Walking Tour )
• Where To Find the Best Food in Porto and Local Porto Craft Beer
• How To Plan the Best European Vacation

Organize Your Funchal Trip

As you begin to plan your trip to Funchal, organization is key! Use our Travel Planner Printables – to stay on top of all the details of your Madeira trip! 

31 THINGS TO DO FUNCHAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

Now that we have covered the basics of Madeira trip planning, it’s time to dive into our list. Save, Pin or Bookmark this Funchal Travel Guide to plan your trip to Madeira!

#1 Walk the Funchal Waterfront

We are kicking off our list of Top Funchal, Madeira Things To Do with a must-see sight: The Praca do Povo and Waterfront.

A wide, pedestrian promenade stretches for nearly a mile along the Funchal Marina. Highlights of the area are Praca do Povo (People’s Square), a tiered lawn facing the sea (often with a nice breeze) along with shaded benches, alfresco cafes and an assortment of Funchal food trucks.

To the south, the brilliant sea extends to the horizon, with the distant Desertas Islands visible to the southeast. North of the promenade the town of Funchal crawls steeply up the hillside.

Top Travel Tip: The colorful Madeira sign sits in the center of Praca do Povo. It’s one of the fun Funchal things to see and is great for photo ops. Other points of interests include the Nelson Mandela Memorial and Gandhi Statue.

#2 See the Se Cathedral Funchal

The majestic Cathedral of Funchal, Madeira dates to the late 15th century and was officially inaugurated in the year 1514.

The interior is lavishly decorated. In addition to the gilded altars, the church is adorned with paintings, statues and tiles. However, the most outstanding feature of the Se Cathedral is the intricate wood-carved ceiling.

Budget Travel Tip: There is no fee to enter; it is one of the things to do in Funchal for free! 

#3 Admire Funchal City Gardens

Visiting the gorgeous city center gardens ranks as one of the Best Things To Do Funchal, Portugal. These green spaces are exquisitely manicured and bursting with tropical blossoms.

Jardim Municipal do Funchal is an absolute gem, boasting an incredible variety of flowers, plants and trees from around the globe. The garden is a serene and calm space right in the heart of the city. Fun Funchal events are often held at the amphitheater, so be sure to check the schedule during your visit!

Parque de Santa Catarina is another must-see Funchal sight. Walkways weave through this wonderful park, passing flower beds and a central lake. In addition to the flora contained within the park, visitors can enjoy local fauna, too – like ducks, swans and zippy lizards.

One of the local Funchal parks that we often visit is Jardim de Santa Luzia. Marked by a towering chimney that stands as a reminder of the sugar cane industry, the park features a spacious lawn, a kids’ play area and a pleasant café and snack bar.

Insider Travel Tip: But wait, there’s more! The Botanical Gardens Funchal and the Monte Palace Gardens are two other top things to see in Funchal, Madeira – and we detail both attractions later on our list.

#4 Shop at the Mercado do Lavradores 

One of the great things about Madeira Island is the local produce – so it comes as no surprise that one of the top things to do in Funchal is to go to the local farmer’s market!

The Lavradores Farmer’s Market Funchal is the biggest market in the city. It is housed in a 2-story, open-air building dating to the 1940s. Inside, merchants sell tropical fruits, colorful flowers and fresh fish.

Funchal Fruit Sellers

Vendors appealingly display bright and colorful passion fruit, dragon fruit, papayas and bananas – and many offer samples so that you can try the sweet, exotic flavors. Unfortunately, some sellers are notoriously known for overcharging – or even scamming – tourists; we decided to just look, but not buy.

Flower Market Funchal

In the flower market, visitors can see and smell native plants – plus, the flower sellers wear colorfully stripped traditional Madeiran dress.

Funchal Fish Market

Not to be missed is the pungent fish market, where visitors can get a close look at the different kinds of seafood that are caught locally. The ugly black scabbardfish is a Madeira specialty, and thankfully, it tastes much better than it looks!

Top Tip for Travelers: After perusing the goods, head to the rooftop patio café for a refreshing drink or to A Confeitaria on the ground floor for something sweet.

#5 View the Restock Gallery at Armazem do Mercado

A fun little area selling locally made products and displaying works by artists from around the world, Armazem do Mercao is tucked into a quiet space just steps from the Funchal Farmer’s Market.

The space, which also hosts the Restock Art Gallery, is hip and modern. Each of the distinctive shops presents different products – from paintings to plants to used paperback books. Perusing the goods is one of the unique things to do in Funchal.

Top Travel Tip: Armazem do Mercado is a fantastic place to pick up one-of-a-kind Funchal souvenirs!

#6 Find the Painted Doors on Rua de Santa Maria

Rua de Santa Maria is one of the original Funchal streets. In fact, in the 15th century, it was the main thoroughfare – and today, it constitutes part of the Funchal Old Town.

The narrow cobblestone lane is crammed with restaurants offering al fresco dining and shops peddling tourist trinkets. Wandering the street in the evening is especially atmospheric, when tantalizing scents waft down the street and enthusiastic laughter fills the air.

That said, what truly makes walking Rua de Santa Maria one of the unusual things to do in Funchal City is the fascinating painted doors.

In 2010, Funchal introduced the Art of Open Doors Project, a focused effort to revitalize the area. Artists from Madeira and around the world were invited to paint the dilapidated doors with tropical scenes. The result is an open-air gallery of unique street art that led to a reborn district.

Useful Travel Tip: We recommend walking Rua de Santa Maria both during the day (to best see the artfully painted doors) and at night (to experience the jovial atmosphere). 

#7 Marvel at the Funchal Main Square

Praca do Municipio is a must-see Funchal sight. The rectangular space is bounded by some of the most magnificent buildings in the city, namely, Paços do Concelho do Funchal (Council Palace), the Episcopal Palace (now the Museum of Sacred Art) and Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio (Jesuit Church and College). Getting a closer look at these buildings is one of the interesting things to do in Funchal, Portugal.

Pacos do Concelho Do Funchal

The Council Palace of Funchal – or the Town Hall – was built in the middle of the 18th century…and has housed the Funchal City Council since 1868. Visitors are welcome to step inside the grandiose building. The foyer is decorated in unique Portuguese azulejos tiles and the elegant inner courtyard is architecturally stunning. It’s free to enter and the woman who works there is happy to share the history of the building.

Episcopal Palace

The Museum of Sacred Art is housed in the former Episcopal Palace, a building that dates to the 17th century. The vast collection is inclusive of religious paintings and artifacts from the Cathedral treasury. Additionally, visitors can go to the top of the tower for views over the Funchal rooftops. There is a fee to enter the museum and tower.

Colegio dos Jesuitas

The Jesuit College and Church on the northwest side of Praca do Municipio is the most intriguing building on the square. When it was built in the 17th century, the building complex ranked as the largest structure in Funchal. Despite the rather mundane façade, the glittering interior impresses. Don’t miss the nearly hidden room to the left of the altar – and it’s also possible to climb the bell tower for a small fee.

Top Tip: The center of Praca do Municipio features traditional Calcada a Portuguesa pavement. Created using black-and-white limestone tiles, the pieces are arranged to create intricate designs. The mesmerizing mosaic paving is common throughout Funchal (and all of Portugal).

#8 Wander Funchal Old Town

Downtown Funchal represents the historic area of the city – and it’s far and away one of the best places to visit in Funchal, Madeira. We highly recommend spending time just exploring the quaint squares and lively streets.

Some of our favorite places to walk in the Old Town of Funchal are Rua da Carreira, Avenida Arriaga, Avenida Zarco and Rua Dr. Fernao de Ornelas.

A few more beautiful squares to seek out while city sightseeing Funchal are Chafariz Square and Fountain and Praca do Colombo (also called Praca Amarela/Yellow Square).

Specific monuments in Funchal to look for are the Joao Concalves Zarco statue (the navigator credited with discovering Madeira) and the Portas da Cidade (Varadouros Old Gate).

Visitors interested in learning the history of Funchal should consider joining a guided Old City Tour Funchal. On this affordable 2-hour tour , guests are led by a local to the best Funchal historic sights and entertained with personal stories.

Free Tour Funchal Tip: Looking for a Free Walking Tour Funchal, Madeira? Local guides lead travelers through the Old Town on tip-based tours. Find information about these walks on the Free Walking Tours Funchal official website .

#9 Ride a Cable Car in Funchal

The cable cars in Madeira – or telefericos – were originally built to help locals navigate the steep inclines on the mountainous island. Today, however, they serve as Funchal tourist attractions.

In total, there are 7 cable cars around the island – but the cable car in Funchal (sometimes called the Madeira Cable Car) is the most popular for visitors.

The modern Funchal Cable Car opened in the year 2000 – and it was built to replace the defunct Monte Railway (which ceased operations in 1943). The cable car line stretches more than 2 miles, connecting the Praia do Almirante Reis Waterfront to the mountain town of Monte.

Fun Fact: It takes 15 to 20 minutes to ride the cable car from Funchal to Monte. The line features 39 cabins and has the ability to transport 800 passengers per hour.

#10 Visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Touring the tropical gardens at the Monte Palace is one of the fun things to do in Funchal. The sprawling palace gardens, which cover more than 17 acres of hillside land, are simply enchanting. Containing an incredible array of colorful flora and artistic enhancements, we were in awe at every turn.

Walkways wind through the exotic gardens, featuring exhibitions, statues and classic Portuguese ceramic tile work. Not to be missed are Central Lake, Santana Traditional House and the Oriental Gardens, but we recommend making a point of walking the entire grounds (where you may even spot peacocks and pink flamingoes!).

There is a fee to enter Monte Palace, but in our opinion, it is totally worth it. Visitors can easily spend half a day in the gardens and at the on-site museum – and we suggest timing your visit to stay for lunch. Bring your own picnic or dine at one of the cafes (the one at the bottom of the park offers a free tasting of local Madeira wine).

Travel Tip for Monte: There are several ways to reach the palace gardens: cable car, bus, taxi or car – and it’s also possible to walk from Funchal (but the uphill climb is challenging!).

#11 Discover Charming Monte

While the Monte Palace Madeira Gardens are a top attraction, there are a few more things to do in the area that entice visitors to stay just a bit longer.

Monte Churches

The outstanding Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte is not to be missed. Sitting atop a steep staircase, Our Lady of Monte was completed in 1818 after the previous church on the site was reduced to rubble by an earthquake.

The interior is adorned with sparkling chandeliers, gilded altars and blue azulejos tiles – and holds the tomb of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. After the dissolution of the Astro-Hungarian Empire, he and his wife were exiled and sent to Madeira – and he died of pneumonia shortly after arriving.

Two other chapels in Monte worth visiting are the nearby Santa Maria Chapel and the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Parks and Views in Monte

The pretty Monte Park is a local (and free) green space in the community that is fun for a wander. Plus, there are some good photo ops.

Local Shop Monte is an ideal spot for a cool drink with a superb view. Try a Portuguese craft beer or get a fresh-squeezed Madeira juice. They also offer tasty cakes and toasted sandwiches.

Just past Local Shop there is a trail that extends from Monte to the Madeira Botanic Gardens (which are different from the Monte Palace Garden); the hike takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, catch a ride in the sky! The Cable Car from Monte to Funchal Botanic Gardens whisks passengers across the valley in just about 10 minutes.

Basket Ride Funchal

The famous Funchal Basket Ride is an old tradition – and one of the quirky things to do in Funchal. Rather than riding a bus or hopping on the gondola, take a seat in a wicker Funchal toboggan and let the trained Carreiros push and steer you down the active road.

Personally, we decided to skip the toboggan in Funchal – because of the high cost (€35 for two) and that the ride doesn’t actually take you all the way down, requiring nearly an hour trek back into town.

Top Tip: The temperature tends to be much cooler in Monte, which we found delightful on hot and humid days in Funchal. However, the weather can change quickly, so make sure you are prepared with an extra layer or lightweight rain jacket.

#12 Stroll through the Madeira Botanical Garden

The beautiful hillside Madeira Botanical Gardens in Funchal are dedicated to both native plant species and flora from around the world. Highlights include the cactus garden, the ‘choreographed’ gardens, palm gardens, turtle pond and exotic flowering plants. Plus, visitors can spend time in the on-site natural history museum.

Tickets are required to enter the Botanical Garden (but they are about half the price of the entry fee to the Monte Palace Gardens).

With the easy cable car connection, visitors can definitely visit both the Monte Palace Madeira Garden and the Funchal Botanical Garden in the same day.

Money Saving Tip: The cost of visiting both gardens – plus the cable car rides – can add up in a hurry. Travelers planning a Funchal trip on a budget might consider visiting just one of the gardens (we would pick Monte Palace) and using the public bus instead of the cable car. 

#13 Indulge in the Local Madeira Fare

Wherever we travel in the world, we are keen to sample the local food – and Funchal was no exception.

We were quick to notice that food in Madeira is not like Portuguese Food in Porto or Lisbon. The local Funchal cuisine has its own specialties and twists on classic mainland Portugal fare. Both meaty dishes and seafood feature heavily on traditional Funchal restaurant menus.

Funchal seafood specialties include Black Scabbardfish (which they often pair with passion fruit or banana) and Limpets (a shellfish that is grilled and seasoned with garlic, butter and lemon).

Some of the best meat dishes in Funchal are Espetada (skewered, grilled beef), Carne de Vinha d’alhos (pork cubes marinated in a garlic wine sauce) and Bolo do Caco sandwiches (featuring thin steak, lettuce and tomato on special Madeira bread).

Top Travel Tip: Eating out in Funchal is a highlight of traveling to Madeira Island. We detail what and where to eat in our Guide to Madeira Food .

#14 Go Dolphin Watching Madeira: Funchal Cruises

Embarking on a boat trip in search of dolphins is one of the best things to do Funchal! Dolphin activity is frequent around the island and boat trips depart Funchal throughout the day to help visitors get a glimpse of the cetaceans.

We opted to take a Sunset Dolphin-Watching Funchal Cruise with VMT Madeira – which far exceeded our expectations. The affordably priced 3-hour tour includes sailing along the coastline to the east (which is where our crew found an entire pod of playful dolphins) and a swim stop at the base of Cabo Girao Cliff. Plus, VMT offers fairly priced drinks from the on board bar. Funchal Sunset Cruises do book up, so reserve your space in advance !

Pro Tip: The VMT Dolphin and Whale Watching Funchal Boat Trips guarantee sightings. If no sea life is spotted, passengers can join a second cruise free of charge!

#15 Tour the Convento de Santa Clara Funchal

The Santa Clara Convent in Funchal is one of the most historic buildings in the city. Built in the late 1400s, the convent housed Franciscan nuns – mostly daughters of wealthy Madeira families, who believed having a nun in the family improved their religious standing. 

Highlights of a visit to the Funchal Santa Clara Convent are the elegant chapel, fine cloisters, choirs and an example of a nun’s accommodations. Furthermore, the convent hosts sacred art, an extravagant ceiling and an abundance of decorative tiles.

Top Tip: The interior is dazzling, but after a recent renovation, a €10 ticket is required for entry.

#16 Conquer the Hilltop Funchal Fort

In the 17th century, Funchal was a thriving city, but its location left it vulnerable to attacks. In order to defend itself, a number of defensive fortifications were built – including the Fortaleza de Sao Joao Baptista do Pico.

Sitting at 365 feet above sea level, the historic Pico Fort is a Funchal landmark sight. The once mighty bastion, which is free to enter, boasts phenomenal views over the Atlantic Ocean, harbor and Funchal city center.

Additionally, the upper level houses a small museum that details the history of this Funchal Fort.

Travel Tip: The hill fort in Funchal has limited opening hours. Be sure to check current times before trekking up the steep and narrow street!

#17 Admire the Artefacts at Museu Quinta das Cruzes

Visiting the Quinta das Cruzes estate is one of the top things to do in Funchal, Madeira. The original 15th century residence was the home of the island’s founder, Joao Goncalves Zarco – and it has been lavishly expanded throughout the years.

Offering an intriguing glimpse into the history of nobility in Funchal, the Quinta das Cruzes Museum is styled just as it would have been in the 18th century – including fine furnishings, local artwork, tapestries and candelabras. Additionally, the museum features an extensive collection of cameos, jewelry and silver pieces.

There is a small fee to enter the house, but the tranquil gardens and quiet chapel are open to the public for free. The on-site café offers an affordable afternoon tea – and stellar views of the sea.

Travel Tip: There are two nearby sights that are worth seeing after visiting the Quintas das Cruzes Museum. Across the street is the Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu, which houses an eclectic collection of art. Just below Museu Quintas das Cruzes is a small, shaded viewpoint, called Miradouro da Quinta das Cruzes.

#18 Taste Madeira Wine

Madeira’s special wine has long been in production. The origins of Madeira wine can be traced to the 15th century – and the industry was booming by the 18th century. The best places to taste wine in Madeira are in cozy cellar shops, making wine tasting one of the fun things to do in Funchal when it rains.

Usually consumed as an aperitif or digestif, Madeira wine is sweet. Even the dry (seco) and medium dry (meio seco) contain a slightly sweet taste due to the wine’s exposure to heat during the maturating process – and we found the sweet (doce) and medium sweet (meio doce) too syrupy.

Of course, all palates are different, so we recommend sampling several different wines in Madeira to find one you prefer. Every bar, café and restaurant in Funchal offers Madeira wine, but we think it is best to go straight to the source.

Blandy’s Wine Lodge Funchal

The Blandy’s Funchal family proudly proclaims itself to be one of the original founders of the Madeira wine trade. Their lodge in the center of Funchal is an ideal place to get an introduction to the island’s wine.

Visitors can join guided tours or simply visit the old-fashioned bar for a wine tasting.

HM Borges Wine

A historic winery on Madeira Island, HM Borges is located in a 100-year-old building in the bustling Funchal center. Guests can opt to join a short, informative tour, partake in a wine testing or order specific samples by the glass.

Pereira d’Oliveira in Funchal

At the Pereira d’Oliveira shop, visitors are able to enjoy a Madeira wine tasting for free. It’s a great place to taste a few small samples and then buy a bottle of your favorite to take home.

Fun Fact: In 1776, after signing the United States Declaration of Independence, the 56 delegates made a toast…using Madeira wine.

#19 Browse the Livraria Esperanca Book Shop

Another one of the cool things to do in Funchal in the rain is visiting a bookshop – and Livaria Esperanca is a truly unique bookstore.

Occupying multiple floors of a rustic building, Livraria Esperanca is a maze of literature. Not only do books line the shelves, but they are also arranged in hanging displays.

In all, there are more than 100,000 books for sale – and it’s the perfect place to get lost for an afternoon.

Top Tip: While most of the books are in Portuguese, there is a small English selection.

#20 Celebrate a Football Legend at CR7 Museum Funchal

Cristiano Ronaldo is hailed as one of the most famous footballers (aka soccer players) in the world – and he was born and raised in Funchal, Madeira.

The CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo Museum Funchal, which celebrates his accomplishments, sits along the harbor front. Visiting the museum is considered one of the important things to do in Funchal, Portugal…whether you are a fan or not.  

The museum features trophies, medals, jerseys and even his shoes are on display. A bronze statue of Ronaldo (which doesn’t seem to resemble him much at all) stands in front of the museum and his hands (and other body parts) are polished to a shine by fans who touch the statue for good luck.

Football Fan Tip : The Ronaldo Museum and Statue are just a stone’s throw from Ronaldo’s Funchal house. While strictly off limits, fans can get a look at the modern and fortified compound from Rotunda do Porto. 

#21 Dine at Fortaleza de Sao Tiago

Painted an ochre yellow (like many of the historic buildings in Funchal), the Fort of Santiago clearly stands out along the eastern coastline.

Built in the 17th century as part of Funchal’s defensive system, the fort features lookout towers and waterfront views. Most of the fort is inaccessible, but it is still worth visiting to admire the architecture.

Additionally, dining at the fort is one of the romantic things to do in Funchal Old Town. The fine dining establishment, Restaurante do Forte, offers multiple course meals – and can even include a ride in their vintage car.

Pro Travel Tip: Many Funchal guidebooks claim that the Museum of Contemporary Art of Funchal is located within the fort, but it closed in 2015.

#22 Soak up the Sun at Praia da Barreirinha Beach Deck

Looking for the best beaches in Funchal Old Town? Sandy shores are few and far between on Madeira Island and you won’t find any in the center of Funchal. Instead, aim for Praia da Barreirinha, a concrete deck that serves as the best beach in Funchal City Center. It is located just to the east of Fortaleza de Sao Tiago.

An entry fee is required to swim at the Praia da Barreirinha facilities – and for a few euros more includes sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also showers, changing rooms and toilets. 

Pro Tip: While swimming is one of the fun activities in Funchal, sea conditions can change quickly. At Praia da Barreirinha you can jump right in the sea for a refreshing swim under the watchful eye of lifeguards.

#23 Contemplate Artwork at the Franco Brothers Museum

Henrique and Francisco Franco are born-and-bred brothers from Madeira, both of whom excelled as artists. Since 1987, the Museu Henrique e Francisco Franco has shared a collection of their works.

Small and intimate, the Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum displays the brothers’ sculptures, drawings and paintings. Additionally, the museum offers guided tours and workshops.

Budget Travel Tip: There is no fee to visit the art gallery museum – it’s one of the things to see in Funchal for free!

#24 Savor the Views from the Funchal Miradouros

While the hills of Funchal are sometimes challenging, the elevated views are nothing short of spectacular. We think the best place to savor the panoramic sea views are from the lookout points – called miradouros.

We already mentioned Miradouro da Quinta das Cruzes viewpoint, but the best miradouro in downtown Funchal is Miradouro Socorro. Located above Praia da Barreirinha, the viewpoint is a great place to start or end a day in Funchal.

Two other nearby viewpoints are Miradouro da Vila Guida (which requires a steep uphill climb but features a nice garden) and Miradouro do Lazareto (which offers one of the best views of the Bay of Funchal at sunset).

That said, Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos is the most popular. Serving up super views of the mountains and the sea, there is also an onsite cafe and it can be easily reached by bus.

Top Travel Tip: Another one of the Funchal Best Things To Do is to visit churches – and Igreja de Santa Maria Maior that sits just behind Miradouro do Socorro is one of the most beautiful. If the gate and door is open, step inside to see the lavishly decorated interior!

Things To Do Near Funchal

So far, we have detailed the best things to do in Funchal that visitors can find from the city center. However, there are numerous places to see near Funchal that we want to highlight as well. No car? No problem! We share tips on how to reach each destination for those traveling without a car.

#25 Visit Camara de Lobos Fishing Village

Camara de Lobos is a quaint fishing village west of Funchal and a wonderful place to spend a few hours. As the first inhabited town on Madeira Island, Camara de Lobos boasts a renowned fishing culture and is the biggest producer of Madeira wine grapes.

Visitors can easily plan a relaxing half-day trip to Camara de Lobos. Top things to do are to watch the colorful Xavelhas – traditional boats – that bob in the marina. Other things to see in the Camara de Lobos Marina are the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao (a beautiful little chapel just steps from the water) and the life-size Winston Churchill Statue (which marks the spot where he sat and painted during his visit to Madeira).

With a little effort, guests can climb up to the Jardim do Ilheu. The elevated green space overlooks the sea and the astounding Cabo Girao Cliff face and honors the town’s fishermen with a giant boat statue. We recommend bringing a picnic so that you can enjoy lunch with a view.

Below the viewpoint is a long stretch of black pebbly beach, called Praia de Vigario, where visitors can swim (just wear swim shoes !)

Two other points of interest are the Press Museum (Museu de Imprensa da Madeira) that details the history of printing and the Henriques and Henriques Winery, which offers tours and tastings.

Travel Tip: Camara de Lobos can be reached by car, tuktuk tour or bus (and even on foot by ambitious travelers). Just be aware that the bus does not take passengers all the way into the village – a short walk along the coastline (and past a cement factory) is necessary to reach the marina.

#26 Embark on a Madeira Coastal Walk

The southern coastline of Madeira Island is exceptional – and there is a pedestrian path that extends from Funchal all the way to Camara de Lobos. One of the best ways to experience the coastal scenery is to set off on a seaside walk that connects the two destinations.

The route follows the shoreline, passing unique rock formations, black sand beaches and natural swimming pools. A highlight of the trek is the Tunel das Pocas do Gomes – a 100-meter-long tunnel with a cave that opens to the ocean.

Top Travel Tip: It can be a long (and hot) walk between Funchal and Camara de Lobos. We opted to walk just half the route. We started by riding the bus to Camara de Lobos, then after touring the village, we walked back toward Funchal. Shortly after passing through the Pocas do Gomes Tunnel – at Sao Martinho Sunset Viewpoint – we caught a bus back to Funchal.

#27 Swim in the Sea at Praia Formosa Beach

Formosa Beach is the best beach near Funchal – at least in terms of scenic beauty. The beach itself consists mostly of volcanic rocks and some black sand, which is not very comfortable for sunbathing or swimming. Water shoes, a beach chair and sun umbrella will help immensely, but only swim if there are lifeguards on duty.

Another fun activity at Praia Formosa Beach is watching the sunset.

Top Tip: A more comfortable place to swim and sunbath is at the nearby Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools. An entry fee is required to use the pools – and there is an additional charge for sun beds and umbrellas. Alternatively, the Lido Bathing Complex offers a saltwater swimming pool and easy access into the sea for ocean swimming – plus loungers and umbrellas – for one flat fee.

#28 Dare to Look Down from Cabo Girao Funchal

The Cabo Girao cliff, located to the west of Funchal, rises an astounding 1,900 feet above sea level. It is often touted as the highest sea cliff in Europe – and the view is completely mesmerizing.

The best vantage point from Cabo Girao is from the Skywalk – and a small fee is required to take in the view. The Cabo Girao Skywalk is a glass-bottomed platform that extends over the edge of the cliff, allowing visitors to look straight down to the sea crashing on the rocks far, far below.

Travelers can reach the Cabo Girao Viewpoint by car, taxi, as part of a tour or on the Funchal Hop On Hop Off Bus .

Travel Tip: At the base of the cliffs are cultivated plots of land and an isolated beach. At one time, farmers could only reach their crops by boat. However, now a cable car – called the Teleferico das Fajas do Cabo Girao – can be used by locals and visitors alike to travel to the foot of the cliff.

#29 Travel to the Valley of the Nuns

One of the most beautiful places near Funchal is the Valley of Nuns – or Curral das Freiras. Nestled in a valley surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, Valley of the Nuns is a particularly picturesque village and a must-see on your Funchal trip.

While the town itself consists of little more than a smattering of houses, a church and a cemetery; it is famous for its chestnut products. Visitors can order the local delicacy in a variety of forms – from chestnut cream soup to tofu with chestnut puree to chestnut cake.

However, we believe the best thing about Curral das Freiras is seeing the valley from afar – and the Miradouro Eira do Serrado offers the most magnificent view.

We recommend stopping at the viewpoint first and then heading into town. Visitors without a car (and those up for an adventure) can take a bus from Funchal to the Miradouro Eira do Serrado and then hike down to the village (allow about an hour). After wandering through Valley of the Nuns and enjoying the chestnut creations, take a bus from the center of town back to Funchal. Half day tours also visit the viewpoint and village. 

Fun Fact : We heard two theories about how Valley of the Nuns earned its unusual name. The first is that, in 1480, the land was donated to the Santa Clara Convent and the name was given to the town at that time. The other belief, which is a much more tantalizing tale, is that in 1566, nuns living in Funchal fled pirate invaders and hid in the valley – and that is when people started referring to it as Curral das Freiras. Whatever the origin, it’s definitely worth visiting when in Funchal!

#30 Stretch Your Legs on Madeira Hiking Trails

Hiking in Madeira is one of the top island activities – and it’s fairly easy to plan trekking adventures from Funchal. We are highlighting just a few of the best hikes for your Funchal trip.

Balcoes Viewpoint from Ribeiro Frio (Trail PR11)

An easy trail that culminates at an outstanding vista, the Ribeiro Frio to Vereda dos Balcoes hike is a must-do for Funchal visitors! The flat, shaded, out-and-back trail is less than 2 miles roundtrip…and the mountain view is jaw-dropping. Best of all, the trailhead can be reached by car, as part of a tour or by using the public bus.

Ribeiro Frio to Portela Walk ( Levada do Furado – PR10)

The Levadas da Madeira are an ancient – but still functioning – aqueduct system. The island is home to 500 miles of the irrigation channels – and the narrow paths alongside the canals are ideal for walking.

The Levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela is one of the best. Stretching about 7 miles through the Laurissilva Forest (a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site), the slightly downhill hike can be completed in 3-5 hours. The trailhead in Ribeiro Frio can be reached by car, guided tour or public bus.

Vereda da Ponta do Sao Lourenco (Trail PR8)

The wild and rocky landscape of Ponta de Sao Lourenco marks the easternmost point of Madeira Island – and hikers can reach it via the Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourenco trail. The rugged 4.35 mile roundtrip trek is one of the most popular hikes from Funchal. However, be aware that there is zero shade and parts of the trail can be a challenging (especially in the notoriously windy area).

The trailhead is reached by car, guided tour or by Bus 113 (although it’s a rather slow and long bus ride from Funchal!). 

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hiking Trail (PR1)

One of the most challenging – and most rewarding – hikes on Madeira, the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike starts at Pico do Arieiro (the third highest peak on the island at 5965ft/1,818m) and ends at Pico Ruivo (the highest peak on Madeira at 6109ft/1862m). 

Noted for its steep staircases, narrow trails and sheer cliffs, the Madeira Peak to Peak Hike is not for the faint of heart…but the views are out of this world.

Hikers can opt to trek one-way, as travel agencies in Funchal arrange drop off and pick up – and some offer the option to j oin a guided peak to peak tour . Alternatively, visitors with a car can hike the trail out and back. There is no bus service to either peak.

Top Tip Funchal Hiking: Another popular hike is the Levada Rabacal and 25 Fountains Trail – which was on our list, but we simply ran out of time! The hike is only accessible by car or organized tour . 

#31 Set Off on Day Trips from Funchal, Madeira

Funchal is fun to explore – but taking full day trips from the city are an excellent way to experience more of Madeira. Visitors with a car can plan their own multi-stop full day trips, but those without a car should book an organized tour.

In our opinion, the two best day trips from Funchal are the East Tour and the West Tour.

We are highlighting what to see in West Madeira and East Madeira here, but we share detailed info and tips about these places in our 7 Day Madeira Itinerary .

East Day Trips Funchal, Madeira

Sights in the east of the Island of Madeira are simply spectacular and visitors can easily see multiple attractions in a single day.

Top things to see are Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva Forest, the beautiful Balcoes Viewpoint, traditional houses in Santana, the view from Miradouro do Guindaste in Faial, the Portela Viewpoint (including Eagle Rock) and Ponta de Sao Lourenco (the easternmost point).

If time allows, visitors can also stop in Machico to cool off with a swim at the yellow sand beach (imported from Morocco).

Traveling in Funchal without a car? Book this East Madeira Organized Trip !

West Excursions in Madeira, Funchal

A looping tour around the west side of Madeira Island is a fabulous way to spend a day!

Sights to see are Ribeira Brava Village (15th century church and Market), Paul da Serra Plateau (and, perhaps a levada walk), Porto Moniz (famous for natural volcanic rock swimming pools), Veu da Noiva Waterfall, Sao Vicente Village and Encumeada’s Viewpoint.

Both Camara de Lobos Fishing Village and the Cabo Girao Skywalk Viewpoint can be added to the day trip, too (if you haven’t already visited these sights).

Travelers without a car can book this highly rated Organized West Madeira Tour .

Day Trip to Porto Santo from Funchal

Visiting Porto Santo is touted as a top Funchal day trip (but not one that we took during our trip). Travelers can reach Porto Santo – the island just to the northeast of Madeira – by ferry boat or an incredibly short flight.

Porto Santo is best known for having a powdery sand beach – but visitors can also go hiking, biking, snorkeling and kayaking (among many other adventure activities).

Pro Tip: Looking for more guided adventures? Tours range from Canyoning Madeira Funchal Day Trips to 4×4 Jeep Trips. Find the best tours on Viator !

More of Madeira: Funchal Things To Do

Above, we shared our list of the Top Things To Do in Funchal, but there are a few more activities and attractions that we want to highlight.

Funchal Museums

We’ve mentioned a few museums in our list of Things To See and Do in Funchal, Madeira…but we didn’t cover them all! Fellow travelers might want to include visiting one or more of the following museums in Funchal.

Madeira Story Centre Museum: One of the best places to visit in Funchal to learn about the history of the island, the museum details the past via interactive exhibits – plus there is a rooftop terrace restaurant. Small fee to enter.

Museum of the City of Sugar (Nucleo Museologico da Cidade do Acucar): A small museum featuring information and artefacts relating to Madeira’s sugar trade, artwork and culture. Free to enter; audio guide in English.

Madeira Photography Museum: Displays historic photographs and old-fashioned photography equipment. Small fee to enter.

Casa Museu Frederico de Freitas: Historic mansion displaying the former owner’s collection of artwork and tiles (although limited information in English). Small fee to enter.

Natural History Museum (Museu de Historia Natural do Funchal): Housed in the Palace of St. Peter, the exhibitions consist of taxidermied animals and a fragrant garden. Entry is free.

Palacio de Sao Lourenco and Military Museum: Entry into these two museums is a bit confusing (and, thus, we never found our way into either). The small Military Museum features the history of the armed forces and charges a small fee. The Palace is only open at very specific times and registration may be required ahead of time.  

House of Light Electricity Museum (Museu de Electricidade Casa da Luz): A surprisingly interesting museum (especially for engineers and children) that details the history of electricity on Madeira Island. Small fee to enter.

Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias Performing Arts 

A gorgeous performing arts venue boasting excellent acoustics, the intimate Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias dates to the late 1800s. The concert hall still hosts performances – and attending a show is one of the best things to do in Funchal at night.

The concerts in Funchal at Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias range from classical music to orchestra to fado.

More Gardens in Funchal

Funchal is home to an astounding number of gardens and parks. We already highlighted our favorite gardens in Funchal – yet, there are still more green spaces to see!

Two more of the top-rated parks in Funchal are the Palheiro Gardens and Quinta da Boa Vista.

The romantic Palheiro Gardens feature winding paths, a variety of plants, stellar views and a lovely tea house. Tickets are required for entry.

Quinta da Boa Vista specializes in orchids and the owner is typically on hand for a chat. The garden charges an entry fee and also offers plants for sale.

Afternoon Tea in Funchal

Although Afternoon Tea is an English custom, the tradition has gained popularity on Madeira Island.

One of the Best Afternoon Tea Funchal experiences is the luxurious midday affair at Reid’s Palace Hotel. The sumptuous meal features finger sandwiches, scones and cakes – accompanied by tea, of course!

The café at Museu da Quinta das Cruzes offers a lovely Funchal Afternoon Tea with views over the city and at a reasonable price.

Funchal Cristo Rei Statue

Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, the Cristo Rei Statue, with outstretched arms, stands 49 feet tall. Built in 1927, the art deco statue pre-dates the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Cristo Rei Statue in Lisbon .

From the vista, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and southern Madeira coastline. A cable car at the site transports guests from the cliff-topping statue to the quiet beach below.

Visitors can reach the Cristo Rei Statue in Funchal by car, organized tour or by bus (but it requires bit of a trek to get between the statue and the bus stop). 

Funchal Shopping

The city center of Funchal is full of shopping opportunities (Rua Dr Fernao de Ornelas is one of the best shopping streets!). That said, the best clothes shops in Funchal can be found at the La Vie Shopping Mall.

Casino Madeira 

A hotel and entertainment complex, Casino da Madeira is one of the established attractions in Funchal. The modern building – a project of renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer – is a distinctive Funchal icon. In addition to slot machines and table games, there are multiple restaurants, bars and a nightclub.

Funchal Map

Use this link to Google for an interactive version of our City Sightseeing Funchal Map.

Funchal Travel Tips

Now that you know what to see in Funchal and the nearby area, we have a few more helpful travel tips for Funchal, Madeira.

Madeira Tourist Information

The Funchal Tourist Information Office is a good place to pick up free maps and attraction brochures. However, the staff is of little help when it comes to schedules or other practical information.

Best Time To Visit Funchal, Portugal

Funchal enjoys a moderate, Mediterranean climate, making it relatively pleasant to visit any time of year.

Summer in Funchal is the busiest time of year…and also the hottest. While it is great for swimming, the heat and humidity can be brutal while exploring Funchal sights. Plus, summertime sees the most tourists – and prices are at their peak.

Autumn is less busy than the summer swell and no less beautiful (but still hot and humid). Visiting in autumn can be great for both swimming and hiking.

Winter in Funchal is relatively cool, with high temps in the 60s – and on very rare occasions, it is cold enough on the mountain peaks to snow. Yet, you may still see people swimming in the sea.

For the most part, Funchal winters are quiet, except for the month of December, which is festive. Full of twinkling lights and a jolly atmosphere, the party culminates in a raucous New Year’s Eve celebration marked with a massive fireworks display along the harbor.

Springtime can be quite nice in Funchal – as the sun shines and the flowers are in bloom. In fact, the Funchal Flower Festival takes place in May and marks the start of the summer tourist season.

Cruise Ships in Funchal

When planning when to go to Funchal, Madeira, one thing to consider is the number of cruise ships in port. The city can get quite congested when there are multiple cruise ships in port at one time. We recommend consulting a Funchal cruise ship calendar prior to booking your vacation to Madeira.

Getting To Funchal

Madeira Island can be reached by plane or boat (both ferries and cruise ships only dock in Funchal).

Flights to Madeira: Funchal Airport

The Funchal Airport – also called Madeira Airport or Aeroporto da Madeira – is located 8 miles east of Funchal. Flights to Funchal are operated by most major European airlines, several low-cost carriers and numerous vacation package companies. Direct flights are available year-round from Porto and Lisbon in Portugal as well as other top European destinations.

Additionally, travelers can search for flights to Porto Santo – and then either fly or take the ferry from Porto Santo to Funchal.

When looking for the best fares to FNC, we use Skyscanner to search and compare flight options. Before you get started, read all our Tips for Finding the Best Cheap Flights ! 

Getting Around Madeira Island

Earlier in the article, we mentioned that it is not necessary to get a Funchal rental car. Instead, visitors can join organized tours and take the public bus to reach the best attractions.

We prefer using Viator to book Funchal tours – as they offer a multitude of options and reviews to help us better understand what to expect. That said, we toured a lot of Madeira on our own using the Funchal public buses.

Bus Station Funchal

Unlike most capital cities, there is not one central bus station in Funchal. Instead, many buses originate routes near the waterfront – both along Avenida do Mar and near the Teleferico Funchal-Monte cable car station.

Buses in Funchal, Madeira

The bus service in Funchal is quite extensive, and most attractions and many Madeira hikes can be accessed using public transport.

That said, understanding schedules can be a little tricky – as there are multiple bus companies that operate on Madeira. The ones that we found most useful for tourists are: Horarios do Funchal, SAM and Rodeste.

Horarios do Funchal runs bus service in the city and to nearby attractions – like Nuns Valley, Monte and the Botanical Gardens. Horarios do Funchal schedule and ticket info .

SAM is responsible for the buses to Funchal Airport and many of the eastern Madeira attractions, such as Ponta de Sao Lourenco. SAM bus routes and ticket information .

Rodoeste Buses service many attractions on the west side of Madeira, including Porto Moniz. Rodoeste timetables and info . 

Additionally, there is a Funchal Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus that circles the city in 3 different routes. Tickets are available for 2 to 5 days. Get current prices and route info to find out what sights you can see with the Hop On Hop Off Bus in Funchal.

Bus Tickets Funchal

All buses accept cash payments directly to the driver. That said, visitors who plan to ride Horarios do Funchal buses in Funchal will likely benefit from purchasing a Giro Bus Card for 50c and topping up with prepaid trips (which are only valid for Horarios do Funchal urban bus routes).

Best Places to Stay in Funchal, Madeira

As a thriving tourist hub, there is no shortage of accommodation in Funchal. We think the best area to stay in Funchal is in the heart of the city. By staying in the center, it is easy to reach attractions on foot – and much simpler to catch a bus or join a tour to see the rest of Madeira.

Belmond Reid’s Palace Hotel 

The most famous hotel in Funchal, Madeira, Reid’s Palace has hosted celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. The stunning resort features elegant rooms overlooking the sea, multiple swimming pools, a spa, gym, tennis courts and several fine dining establishments. Check rates and availability for your stay!

Barcelo Funchal Old Town Hotel

One of the newer Funchal hotels, Barcelo is ideally located in the city center. Offering stylish air—conditioned rooms, a rooftop pool and bar and an exceptional included breakfast, guests give it rave reviews. Check rates for your stay!

29 Madeira Hostel

Perhaps the best place to stay in Funchal on a budget, 29 Madeira Hostel offers private rooms and 4-bed dorm rooms at affordable prices. Plus, there is a good kitchen and an outdoor garden. We also like the location of the hostel – on the edge of the Old Town, so guests get to experience a more local side of Funchal. Check availability!

Funchal Airbnb

Travelers staying on Madeira for a week or longer might find that the best place to stay in Funchal is in a vacation rental. With more space and a kitchen, it can make a longer stay more comfortable (as long as there is aircon!).

Before booking a holiday apartment in Funchal, read our advice and top Tips for Airbnb Guests . Not a fan of Airbnb? Check out the apartments offered on Booking.com !

What To Pack for Funchal, Madeira

Our final tips are all about what to pack for your trip to Funchal! You can find all of our hacks on our dedicated Travel Packing Tips page. For now, get your FREE Packing Checklist!

Proper Shoes

Funchal is a walkable city – but only with the right shoes! Between the steep hills and mosaic tiled calcada sidewalks, it is imperative to wear shoes that won’t slip.

For most sightseeing, my grippy flip flops were fine – but lightweight sneakers are a better option for longer days of walking. Use our reviews of The Best Shoes for Traveling to help decide which shoes to pack in your backpack or suitcase .

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

The sun is intense in Funchal, so it is imperative to pack sunscreen (and remember to apply it, even on cloudy days!). It can also help to wear a wide-brimmed travel hat – and, of course, pack your favorite sunglasses !

On the other hand, Madeira weather can change quickly, so packing a lightweight rain jacket or travel umbrella is also a good idea.

Mosquitos can be a real problem in Funchal – especially at dawn and dusk. Bring insect repellent to protect yourself from getting those annoying and itchy bites.

Madeira Travel Camera

There is no doubt about it: Funchal is beautiful! In order to capture it properly, we recommend upgrading to a real travel camera .

We use a DSLR Canon Rebel with an 18-135mm lens for all our travels. Not only is it easy to use and takes high quality photos, but it is one of the most affordable cameras for travelers .

Day Pack for Exploring Madeira

While out adventuring, it is best to carry a well-stocked day pack. In Funchal, we used small backpacks to stow all of the items we needed during the day – from our refillable water bottles to sunscreen to bug spray.

Not sure what type of day pack is right for you? Use our guide to the Best Day Packs for Travelers .

Portugal Travel Insurance

Travel is unpredictable, so you may want to insure your trip. If you are looking for a travel insurance policy, consider the great rates and robust coverage at World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Portugal ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more vacation advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

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Madeira intro - Top 10 Madeira - 1 Week ideas - Funchal - Cruise ship - Porto Moniz - Best Beach - Arieiro Mountain - Porto Santo

Discover Funchal, Madeira in 2024: an independent travel guide

Funchal is the likeable capital city of Madeira. It is a historic and characterful city, which sits in a natural amphitheatre, with all districts facing down towards the waterfront and historic centre.

Funchal has an extensive history and an abundance of Portuguese charm, along with a wide variety of tourist attractions, including castles, gardens and cable cars.

Being the largest city on the island, it is also the centre for culture and tourism, and Funchal excels at both of these. There are world-class hotels, fascinating museums, fine restaurants along with buzzing nightlife.

Funchal may have a population over 100,000, but it has a small-town atmosphere, which is very safe and easy to explore on foot. This article will provide an introduction to Funchal, either for your holiday or as a day trip. Related articles: Introduction to Madeira – Madeira top 10 - 1 week in Madeira

Highlights of Funchal

Historic centre of Funchal, with its traditional buildings, ancient cathedral and two forts.

The sledge ride down Monte hill in what is little more than a wicker chair, steered by two men dressed in white

The Jardins tropical, boasting diverse plant life set around delightful water features and imposing statues

An overview of Funchal for tourists

There are three areas of Funchal of interest to visitors; the historic centre and waterfront, the hilltop district of Monte, and the coastal area of São Martinho where the majority of the hotels are situated.

The historic centre includes the main shopping street of Avenida Arriaga, the Lavradores market, Tiago fort, São Lourenço fort, the Se Cathedral and the cobbled streets of the Zona Velha. This area extends around the waterfront which overlooks the harbour and cruise terminal, and is where the majority of a day trip is spent - A suggested day trip and map is provided later in this article.

Monte is situated up in the hills above the city, and has a slightly cooler and wetter microclimate. Within Monte are three wonderous gardens, a beautiful church and the thrilling wicker sledge ride down to the centre of Funchal. Monte is easily combined in a day trip with Funchal, as there is a cable car between the harbour and Monte.

São Martinho is to the west of Funchal and is centred around the pebble beach of Praia Formosa and the Lido swimming complex. This is the area where the majority of the larger-hotels are based, and is a modern district offering great tourist facilities, such as bars, shops & restaurants.

Looking up from Funchal waterfront up to the Fortaleza de São João Baptista

Funchal for your holiday

There are many good reasons to be based in or near Funchal for your holiday. Funchal has the widest selection of restaurants, shops and bars, along with being the hub for all public transport. Being based here means you will always feel close to the buzz of the city - there are many places on Madeira which are beautiful but do feel quite remote and distant from anything.

Funchal has the added bonus of having some of the best weather on Madeira, and has significantly less rain than the north or west, while being sheltered from the strong easterly winds.

Funchal may be a major city, but it is a very safe destination. There is almost no crime or significant issues, and is suitable for families or older visitors.

The area of Estrada Monumental (south São Martinho) has the atmosphere of a resort town, with streets packed with hotels, restaurants and tourist shops, but it is only a short bus ride to the centre of Funchal. Our opinion: When friends or family who are new to Madeira are considering it for a holiday, we always advise them to be based in or close to Funchal.

The Se cathedral in Funchal

Funchal for Cruise ship passengers

Madeira is a popular stop for cruise ships, and Funchal is a beautiful city to moor at. The cruise terminal is right at the centre of the city, and the historic centre can be easily walked to from the cruise port.

Funchal can be easily explored without the need of an expensive tour organised through the cruise company, and for a complete guide for a day trip to Funchal as a cruise ship passenger, please read this guide .

A day trip to Funchal

The interactive map below shows a typical day trip to Funchal. The suggested day would be divided between the historic centre and Monte, with riding the cable car up to Monte and catching the sledge back to Funchal.

Sights of the day trip 1) Avenida Arriaga 2) Praça do Município 3) Se cathedral 4) Palácio de São Lourenço 5) Lavradores market 6) Arte Portas Abertas (along the Rua de Santa Maria) 7) Forte de São Tiago 8) Funchal-Monte cable car 9) Monte Palace Tropical Gardens 10) Jardim Botânico (optional) 11) Senhora do Monte church 12) Monte sledge ride

Advice: The sledge ride ends 2km from the centre of Funchal, and it is either a walk, bus ride (ever 30-40minutes) or expensive taxi. The taxi drivers know they can rip off tourists and will demand as high as €30 for the 10-minute ride. Uber is a much cheaper option. If you would prefer a guided tour of Funchal’s Old Town, these start from €12.90 for a 2-hour tour .

Being the largest city on Madeira means that all of the tours of the island depart from here. An organised tour is the best way to discover Madeira, and these tours provide knowledgeable guides, while removing the hassle of public transport. We have worked with GetYourGuide for the past five years and some of their best tours of Madeira include: • The best of western Madeira, full day coach tour (€29) • Best of the east of Madeira, full day coach tour (€29) • Cliff top Skywalk and Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools small group tour (€55) • Madeira Peaks tour by Open 4x4 (€49)

Sights of Funchal

The gardens.

Madeira is known as the island of the eternal spring and nowhere is this more evident than in the flower gardens found in hills above Funchal.

The most famous is the Botanical Garden, which was created to protect the indigenous plants of Madeiran, and now has expanded to include over 2,500 species. Included in the complex is an exotic bird park, a small Natural History Museum and the much-photographed Jandins Coreografados. https://telefericojardimbotanico.com/room/jardim-botanico/

The patterned gardens of the Jardins Coreografados

The Tropical Gardens are situated up the Monte district, and are the most enjoyable for a day trip. Within these varied gardens are an extensive selection of plants and water features, along with an art gallery dedicated to contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture and sculptures from the Berardo Foundation collection. https://montepalacemadeira.com/

The Tropical Gardens in Monte

Rua de Santa Maria doorway art (Arte Portas Abertas)

The Rua de Santa Maria has been converted into an outdoor art gallery, with the doorways of abandoned buildings being repurposed as permanent art features.

This wonderful project has breathed new life into the area and includes over 200 works of art and murals from local artists. Further details can be found on the project's website: www. arteport asabertas .com/

Insight: This area livens up at night with some of Madeira's best tourist-focused restaurants, and there is a great atmosphere, but the waiters can be very pushy to get customers. If you purely want to see the art visit early in the morning.

The Mercado dos Lavradores

The Mercado dos Lavradores (Workers' Market) is one of the highlights of Funchal. This covered market sells fresh produce and handicrafts, along with having a bustling fish market.

The Mercado dos Lavradores is always a hive of activity and a great location to find a bargain

Discover Madeiran wine

Madeira is famed for its wine, and over 200 years of this heritage can be experienced (and tasted) at the wine cellars of Blandy's Wine Lodge. https://www.blandyswinelodge.com/

Santa Maria de Colombo

Moored in Funchal harbour is a replica of the Christopher Columbus ship the Santa Maria, which provides 3-hour guided tours (€38 / €17.50 adult/child) along the coastline - Ticket can be purchased here .

The replica of the Santa Maria is dwafed by the cruise ships which moor in Funchal’s harbour

Wicker Sledge from Monte

The wicker sledge ride down Monte hill, is the most touristy gimmicky activity of Madeira, but it is unique and fun. Historically the wicker sledges (known as Carreiros) transported goods from the top of Monte to the lower districts of Funchal, but since the 1910s tourists have been the main cargo!

The sledges do not follow special rails but zip down roads, with the drivers using their feet to steer, running to push over the flat sections and spotters keeping traffic safely out of the way. The Carreiros depart from the Nossa Senhora do Monte church in Monte a hillside town above Funchal.

The wicker sledges that slide down the roads

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21 Amazing Things To Do in Funchal, Madeira (Ultimate Guide)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: February 23, 2024

Whether you are visiting the Portuguese island Madeira for a day or for a few weeks, Funchal is one place you definitely have to see. But what are the best things to do in Funchal ? 

Funchal is Madeira’s capital city and the main town. Despite its small size and just over 100,000 inhabitants, it has a lot to offer to any kind of visitor. From historic sites, museums, and botanical gardens to a big variety of activities – you’ll find plenty of inspiration for things to see and do in Funchal.

In this article, I am sharing some of the very best places to see and things to do in Funchal . My selection starts with the most popular places that are  must see in Funchal. So if you’re on a short visit, start with the top of the list. I listed the attractions in the most logical order as you’d visit them starting in Funchal Old Town. Further down below you will also find some fun activities and lesser known things do in Funchal that are nice to see if you have more time.

Please note that this is not a guide for the whole Madeira island. It’s also not a guide for day trips from Funchal  or the beautiful areas to see close to Funchal. This is a city guide focused on the main points of interest in Funchal . Before you go on a day trip outside the city, you really should first see at least some of the main Funchal attractions. No visit to Madeira would be complete without exploring Funchal.

We spent 9 days on Madeira island and visited Funchal several times. So this article is mostly based on our own personal experience and includes some experience-based tips. However, in order to give you the most complete guide to Funchal, I also included several places that are nice to see, but for which we personally had no time.

We were in Madeira with kids and spent more time outside the city, hiking and exploring. If interested, on our blog you can find  more inspiration and tips for your trip to Madeira – take a look!

Without further ado, here is the list of best things to do in Funchal . Read on!

These are the best things to do in Funchal, Madeira:

1. Visit Funchal Cathedral – Sé

Located in the city center, The Cathedral of Funchal (Sé) is one of the main historic landmarks of Funchal. Built in the beginning of the 16th century, at the peak of the Portuguese explorers’ era, Funchal Cathedral is a symbol of power and prosperity.

Not to be missed is the Gothic altarpiece, composed of gilt woodwork, oil paintings on wood, and small sculptures. The wooden cedar ceiling with ivory elements is considered one of the most beautiful ceilings in the whole of Portugal.

Practical information:   Visit is free. The church is normally open every day from early morning until 6.30-7 pm. On weekends, it’s closed for a few hours in the afternoon.

2. Explore the Old Town of Funchal

Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha) is a nice lively place. Most of the city’s shops and restaurants are located in this area. It might get a bit busy when there are cruise ships in town, but it still has a great local feel.

The main shopping streets are Rua do Aljube, Rua da Carreira, and Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas.

If you are looking for a place for lunch, don’t settle for tourist restaurants with pictures on the menu. There are quite some really nice local restaurants that serve great fresh food. We had lunch at Restaurante Armazém do Sal  which is supposedly very expensive, but during the day they had a very affordable lunch menu. The place was packed with locals, but we were the only tourists there.

TIP: If you want to explore the Old Town of Funchal with a local guide and learn more about the city, consider joining this highly-rated Old Funchal walking tour .

3. Admire the Street Art of Rua da Santa Maria

Rua da Santa Maria  was one of our favorite places in Funchal. It’s a perfect example of how a bit of imagination can bring the city to life. This area that has suffered from the flooding is now completely reborn.

A public art program called ‘Arte de Portas Abertas’ (the art of the open doors) has managed to transform an old shabby area of Funchal’s Old Town into a colorful outdoor art gallery. It now displays over 200 works of art, most painted on the doors of the houses of Rua de Santa Maria.

This area was really quiet when we visited Funchal in April and so I consider it one of the hidden gems of Madeira . However, it definitely has the potential to become one of the most popular places to visit in Funchal. Don’t miss it!

4. Visit Mercado dos Lavradores – Farmer’s Market

The Mercado dos Lavradores is a flower, fruit, vegetable, and fish market in Funchal. A short visit to this colorful bustling market is a must-do in Funchal!

The impressive building dates from 1940 and the inside space is organized in several different areas (‘Plazas’), connected by passages and staircases.

The market is open daily (except Sundays and Public Holidays), but is busiest on Fridays when you’ll likely see traditionally dressed ‘flower ladies’ selling the most beautiful exotic flowers.

Beware that the prices at the market are quite high, especially for fruit. On the other hand, you can try fruit you’ve probably never seen before.

We tried several kinds of passion fruit (banana passion fruit was our favorite), a fruit called ‘nespra’, and several others I don’t remember the name of.

We loved this explosion of smells, tastes, and colors and strongly recommend you visit this farmer’s market when in Funchal. Cover your nose and take a peek at the fish market section as well!

5. Enjoy the Views from Monte Cable Car

Visiting Monte has been probably the most popular Funchal attraction for many decades. At the beginning of the 20th century, tourists could reach the mountain by steam train. Nowadays, you can make the same journey and enjoy the scenery from  Monte Cable Car (Teleférico do Funchal). 

The ride from Funchal old town to Monte takes 15-20 minutes one way, giving you plenty of time to enjoy beautiful views of the city and its surroundings. It covers a long distance (over 3,2km (2 miles)) and makes an impressive ascent of 580 m (1,902 ft).

Once in Monte, you have several options. If you have at least half a day, you can visit all of the places mentioned here, otherwise, you’ll have to choose. A popular option is to take the second cable car and visit the Botanical Gardens of Madeira. Alternatively, just next to the cable car station, you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

A bit further down the road, you’ll find the church of Our Lady of Monte. From there you can take a wicker toboggan sled down the mountain. You can read about all these points of interest below.

Even if you don’t visit any of the gardens, Monte cable car is a must-do in Funchal – the views are spectacular!

Practical information: Cable car operates daily from 9 AM to 5.45 PM (hours might differ in high season). You can get tickets for a one-way ride only and also combination tickets with a cable car to Madeira Botanical Garden. For up-to-date practical information, please consult the official website . Normally, you can just get the tickets on the spot as well.

6. Visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is another amazing garden you can visit in Funchal. Since it’s located just next to the upper station of Monte cable car, it’s probably the most visited garden in Funchal.

Featuring over 100,000 plant species with a separate section devoted solely to Madeira’s flora, it’s a garden that is well worth a few hours of your time. If you visit just one garden in Funchal, make it the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is located at the Quinta Monte Palace – a beautiful mansion that in combination with a pond, a little waterfall, and various little structures makes it look like the gardens of some fairytale castle.

Practical information:  The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is open daily from 9.30 AM to 6 PM.

7. Visit Madeira Botanical Garden

Madeira is an island of flowers and Funchal is the city of gardens.  Madeira Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) . This is the biggest garden with the most varied collection of plants from all over the world.

The estate where the Botanical Garden is located dates from 1880 and used to be privately owned. What a garden for one family!

The Botanical Gardens are located high on the hill above Funchal with amazing views as an added bonus. Inside, you will find a big variety of different style gardens, including French and Japanese gardens. Kids loved the cute little Madeira houses and also a small natural history museum.

Practical information: The Botanical Garden is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM and can easily be reached by cable car from Monte (so after you take the above-mentioned Monte cable car to get to the top of the mountain). If you have a car, you can also drive up there, but it’s quite tricky to get to and the parking area isn’t very big.

8. See the Church of Our Lady of Monte

The Church of Our Lady of Monte (Igreja do Monte) is a little 18th-century church just a few steps away from Monte cable car top station and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You’ll have to negotiate some very steep stairs, but it’s well worth it. On a clear day, you can see the town of Funchal, the beautiful coastline, and the mountains.

The exterior of the church doesn’t look very special, but the interior is very well decorated with beautiful paintings and statues. Worth visiting is the tomb of Charles I. He was the last emperor of Austria (and of the Habsburg dynasty) and spent the last years of his life in exile in Madeira.

I read somewhere that you can climb the steps to the roof of the church for beautiful views of Funchal, but the church was just closing when we visited, so I cannot confirm if that’s the case.

9. Take a Wicker Toboggan Sled Ride

Dating from the end of the 19th century, wickerwork is a very important industry in Madeira. Wicker is used for all kinds of objects like breadbaskets or chairs, but also for the world-famous Madeira wicker baskets.

Wicker basket sled ride down the steep streets of Monte is probably the most unique tourist attraction in Funchal. Toboggans are pushed and steered by two runners wearing traditional white costumes and straw hats and can seat two people (three if one of them is a child).

If you are brave enough to try it, you’re in for a dare-devilish ride and an experience of a lifetime.

Toboggan ride in the traditional wicker basket is an old Madeira tradition. In the past local residents used it as a means of transport to quickly get from the village of Monte high on the mountain to the town of Funchal, by the sea. Don’t ask me how they got their sleds back up to the village in those days; nowadays they load the sleds on a small truck that brings them (and the drivers) back to Monte.

The wicker toboggan sled ride in Funchal is an extremely popular and a really touristy attraction. Reviews from tourists are from ‘boring’ and ‘not worth the money’ to ‘the most thrilling ride’ and ‘experience of a lifetime’… So it’s really up to you to decide if you want to give it a try. One thing is for sure – it’s something truly unique that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Practical information:  Toboggan ride starts at The Church of Our Lady of Monte (Igreja do Monte). You’ll need to take a cable car to Monte first. The 2km long descent takes about 10 minutes and brings you to Livramento, so not all the way back to Funchal.

You’ll either have to take a taxi or a bus, or walk back to the cable car (uphill) or down to the city, which is a really long walk. If I remember well, the ride costs 30 EUR for a sled with 2 people (25 EUR if you go alone), and you can also get a picture taken for 10 EUR. You can get the tickets there on the spot, so there’s no need to book anything in advance.

TIP: If you decide to take this sled ride, make sure you first visit all the points of interest in Monte, so that you don’t have to walk back up the hill afterwards.

Some organized excursions of Madeira island also come to Monte and offer the wicker toboggan experience as part of the tour. This is one of the best options – a 4-hour tour that visits the Nuns Valley, Monte, and includes a sleigh ride.

10. Taste Madeira Wine

No trip to Madeira would be complete without tasting some of Madeira’s famous sweet wine. There are several wine museums and cellars in Funchal, but the one that is most worth a visit is The Old Blandy Wine Lodge .

Located in the oldest area of Funchal, Blandy’s Wine Lodge is a place where you can not only learn about the making of the Madeira wine but also taste the various styles of Vinho Madeira. They have been making Madeira wine for over 200 years, so even if you have no interest in the wine itself, this place is well worth a visit.

TIP: Join the food and wine walking tour of Funchal . It’s a great way to explore the city and get to taste some traditional local food and drinks of Madeira.

11. Relax at Funchal Waterfront

Funchal has a beautiful waterfront area . It’s the place where cruise ships dock, boat trips depart, and it was also our first introduction to the city as we parked the car at the big parking garage nearby.

The waterfront area has been recently redone and features a new leisure area called Praca do Povo . It’s a wonderful place to stroll around, watch the boats, and just relax after a busy day of sightseeing. There is a small park and even a bathing area, right in the heart of Funchal.

We loved just hanging around here. It’s a big wide promenade with lots of space for kids to run and nice areas for the adults to relax. There are several places where you can get a cup of coffee or lunch and it’s literally just a few minutes walk to Funchal Old Town.

***All the places mentioned above are the ones that are most worth a visit in Funchal. Below you can find a small selection of other things to do in Funchal if you have more time.

12. Take Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Funchal Hop-on Hop-off bus is a great way to see the main attractions just outside Funchal city center.

You can book a 48-hr ticket, but if you have more time in Funchal, consider a 5-day option which costs just a tiny bit more and makes it possible to easily visit the picturesque village of Câmara de Lobos and the cliffs of Cabo Girão.

Here you can find more information and book your tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus .

13. Afternoon Tea at The Reid’s

Dating from 1890, Belmond Reid’s Palace is one of the most famous hotels in the world with past guests like Sisi (Austrian Empress), Winston Churchill, and Roger Moore to name just a few.

Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can go there for afternoon tea and enjoy the gorgeous panoramic views and superb service of a bygone era. It’s something special to do in Funchal and an affordable luxury experience, but you better book it in advance.

TIP: If you are looking for a really nice hotel to stay in Madeira, Belmond Reid’s Palace is one of the top luxury resorts with fantastic guest reviews. You can check the prices/availability for this hotel here .

14. Madeira Story Centre

Madeira Story Centre is a modern museum showing the complete history of Madeira. From its volcanic origins to the history of Portuguese explorers and pirates, to the development of tourism and the most recent history of the island.

Practical information: This museum is located just next to the bottom station of the Monte cable car. Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. See their website for more info.

15. Jesuits’ College of Funchal

Considered one of the most remarkable buildings of Madeira, the 16th-century Jesuit College of Funchal is also worth a short visit. Part of the buildings now house the University of Funchal.

The college has a wonderful interior with amazing sculptures and paintings and can be visited from Monday to Saturday. For just 1 EUR you can climb the tower and enjoy the views of Funchal.

Rumour has it that the student café has good coffee with delicious custard cakes (pastel de nata) at very low prices.

16. Madeira Film Experience

Madeira Film Experience is exactly what the name suggests. It’s a film that covers the 600 years of the history and culture of the island.

Practical information:  The film takes just 30 minutes and is available in several languages. More information on their website .

17. Visit CR7 Museum

CR7 is a museum dedicated to Madeira’s most famous football player – Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a living legend here and even Madeira’s airport has recently been named after him.

I wouldn’t say that this museum is a must-see in Funchal, but if you are a huge fan and have half an hour to spare, you may want to take a look inside. The museum is not so much about Ronaldo as a person, but rather focused on his achievements. It’s full of memorabilia, trophies, medals & life-size statues of Madeira’s all-time best football player.

If you just want to take a picture with the statue of your hero, you can do that outside as well – no need to go inside the museum just for that.

Practical information: CR7 museum is located at the waterfront. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

18. Santa Clara Monastery

Convento de Santa Clara is a 15th-century working monastery just a bit up a steep hill from the center of Funchal.

The convent is open just a few hours a day (10-12, and not on Sundays). For just 2 EUR you get a guided tour by one of the nuns. We didn’t get here on time, but the reviews online are really positive. People say it’s a true hidden gem of Funchal, well worth a visit.

19. Quinta das Cruzes

Museu Quinta das Cruzes, as well as the gardens, are nice to see if you are looking for more nice things to do in Funchal. The house has a collection of 17-18th century furniture and household items giving you a good idea of how wealthy people lived in Madeira several hundred years ago.

The adjacent gardens can be visited free of charge. They have a strange archeological collection of old gravestones, crosses, gargoyles and other finds coming from old churches and palaces from all over Madeira.

20. Palheiro Gardens

Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro is an English-style park a bit outside the city. Featuring over 3,000 plant species and traversed by avenues planted with camellias and exotic trees, it’s a wonderful garden to visit in Funchal.

These gardens are quite hard to get to without a car and would probably take you at least half a day to visit. So it’s not something I recommend if you have limited time. However, if you are in Madeira for a week or two, you should certainly consider going here.

Practical information: Open daily from 9 AM to 5.30 PM.

21. Venture Outside the City

In addition to Funchal attractions, I really recommend that you also visit the earlier-mentioned fishermen’s village of Câmara de Lobos and the cliffs of Cabo Girão. Both these places are very close to the city (see the hop-on-hop-off bus section above) and are really simple to visit.

If you have a few hours to spare in Funchal, I can also recommend a whale-watching trip – Madeira is a great place to see whales and dolphins.

LEARN MORE: Whale Watching in Madeira

TIP: If you don’t have a car in Madeira, I also suggest these two highly-rated and very popular organized day trips from Funchal: Best of the West of Madeira island and Madeira East Island Tour . These tours are an excellent introduction to Madeira for first-time visitors.

So, this is our selection of the best things to do in Funchal . There are, of course, many other places of interest that are worth a visit in the city.

However, remember that Madeira is much more than Funchal! So what you choose to see and do in Funchal, will highly depend on how much time you have on the island.

If you are looking for more ideas on what to see and do in Madeira, make sure to check our guides to the best hikes of Madeira and the hidden gems of Madeira .

READ ALSO: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Madeira

Where to Stay in Funchal

There are lots of nice hotels in and around Funchal. Depending on what kind of holiday you’re looking for, you can choose from amazing seaside resorts to more simple hotels in the town center.

Here are some of the best-rated resorts in Funchal for all budgets:

• €€€€€€ Reid’s Palace
• €€€€€ Savoy Palace
• €€ € € Hotel Porto Mare – PortoBay
• €€€ NEXT – by Savoy Signature
• €€ Florasol Residence Hotel 

Using the map below, you can also compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Funchal . Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s available for your stay. Check it out!

If Madeira is part of a bigger trip to Portugal, you may want to check out our Portugal bucket list for more inspiration on where to go.

In addition, on our blog, you can find tons of guides and itineraries for a wide variety of other destinations in the country. You can find a complete selection of articles in our Portugal Travel Guide .

More tips for your trip to Portugal:

• Best Towns in Portugal
• Top Lisbon Sights & Attractions
• Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon to Porto
• One Day in Lisbon
• Portugal with Kids
• Top Places to See in Algarve
• Algarve Itinerary
• Best Beaches in Algarve
• Algarve Travel Tips
• Where to Stay in Algarve
• Benagil Cave
• What to See & Do in Lagos
• What to See & Do in Tavira
• What It’s Like to Visit Portugal in April

Travel inspiration for the Azores:

• Best Things to Do in Sao Miguel
• What to See & Do in Ponta Delgada
• Sete Cidades, Azores
• Furnas, Azores
• Where to Stay in Sao Miguel

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

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Tuesday 18th of July 2023

Thank you for this travel guide and suggestions on things to see and do. We are going to Funchal next week and really looking forward to it.

Glad to help, Dipty. Enjoy Madeira!

Maxine Cartz

Saturday 7th of May 2022

Thank you so much for all this fabulous information.

I am visiting Madeira today on a cruise and will certainly use this to structure my day.

Monday 9th of May 2022

Hope you had a great time in Funchal this weekend, Maxine. Enjoy the rest of the cruise and check out our blog for many other destinations. Happy travels!

Sunday 23rd of January 2022

Going with the family in July this year, so taking notes on all you have recommended. Big thank you in advance xx

@Jurga, don’t worry will pack factor 50 xx

Have a great time in Madeira, Jackie! Just be careful with the sun - you can get burned really quickly there in the summer.

Cathy Kimber

Saturday 6th of November 2021

Such a good guide. Going to Funchal soon and will take recommendations from the guide

Monday 8th of November 2021

Glad you found it useful, Cathy. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 17th of March 2021

Looking for a place to retire outside of the U.S. and am seriously considering Madeira. Can you tell me about residential property to purchase, health care options, taxes, etc.? Or, could you recommend where I might find this kind of information?

Monday 22nd of March 2021

Hi Teri, Madeira is a Portuguese island, so you should look for information about Portugal in general - there should be plenty of info online. I'm not sure how easy it is for someone outside the EU to retire in Europe, but everything is possible if you put your mind to it. Unfortunately, I can't help you with any of this. But I would recommend to first travel to Madeira and spend a few months there before starting with any paperwork. It's only when you've lived somewhere for a while that you get a good feeling of how it actually is. It's never the same as simply visiting for a holiday. Good luck!

Funchal Itinerary: How to Spend a Day in Madeira’s Capital

• Last Updated March 17, 2024
• Portugal , Europe

Located in the waters of the Atlantic 360 miles from the Moroccan coast, the Portuguese autonomous region of Madeira can sometimes feel more like a verdant Central American paradise than a European enclave. Partly this is due to the island’s balmy subtropical climate and partly it is thanks to the island’s volcanic origins; its topography of high, jagged peaks and long, plunging valleys covered in banana plantations and mango groves invoke images of Jurassic Park’s Isla Nublar or – if you need a less fictional example – any of Hawaii’s rugged islands, minus the sandy beaches.

The island’s capital of Funchal, on the other hand, is the closest anywhere on the island comes to evoking mainland Portugal. Its wide boulevards are paved with traditional calçada Portuguesa and its narrow cobbled alleyways of whitewashed facades are packed with bakeries dishing out crispy and creamy pastéis de nata.

Nestled on the island’s sun-drenched south coast and ringed by a belt of precipitous peaks, Funchal is home to almost half of the Madeira’s population and as such, is the region’s cosmopolitan and cultural epicentere. Here elegant design hotels and Michelin star restaurants rub shoulders with centuries-old fortresses, cathedrals, and some of Europe’s finest botanical gardens.

This is a city that buzzes with activity from morning until sundown offering more than enough action for a day trip, if not a long weekend away.

Getting to Madeira

There are direct flights to Madeira from multiple UK airports. Jet2 offer flights to Madeira from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle.

Jet2 also have a range of package holidays to Madeira.

Madeira’s airport is located 10 miles east of Funchal and connected by the Aerobus which runs once an hour from the airport to the Lido area (or Hotel Zone) on the west side of Funchal, via the city centre. A one-way ticket costs €5. A taxi to the city centre costs between €25 and €30.

Where to Stay in Funchal

One of Funchal’s newest openings, Hotel Next is the latest offering from the ever-popular Savoy Group’s six luxury hotels that they operate across Madeira. However, the Next offers a twist on stylish and contemporary accommodation, focusing on a younger clientele and taking lessons it learned while opening during the COVID-19 pandemic to implement state of the art, automated features; your entire experience can be operated from a phone app, whether that is setting your room to the ideal temperature before you head back to the hotel, ordering spa treatments and room service, or even activating the ‘do not disturb’ light on the exterior of your suite. Its high-tech credentials and focus on co-working spaces make the hotel ideal for digital nomads and millennials.

However, this doesn’t mean that Hotel next has forgotten the basics. The rooms themselves are stylish and sleek with an updated take on a mid-century modern aesthetic while the hotel is packed with excellent facilities. The poolside Recharge bar and restaurant serves up some of the best food you will find in Funchal – refreshing ceviche and colourful poke bowls of plump tuna steak – all with views out over the ocean, while the rooftop has its own pool and cocktail bar where you will find a DJ pumping out the tunes on a weekend evening.

I was proved with a complementary stay at the Next by Savoy Signature with Jet2Holidays

Getting around Funchal

Madeira’s Capital is anything but flat. With every few hundred metres that it extends beyond its pretty seafront promenade, the Avenida do Mar, it gains more altitude, sprawling outwards into the steep volcanic hillsides that encircle the city like towering amphitheatre terraces. Luckily, most of the main tourist sights are only a short walk from the harbour and the old town, Zona Velha, is easily walkable.

The much visited suburb of Monte, on the other hand, sits 550m above the city but can be reached without straining your legs thanks to the Monte cable car, which transports you there from Jardim do Almirante Reis and provides a panoramic view over the city (9.30am to 6pm, €10 one-way, or €15 return).

A One Day Funchal Itinerary

Funchal rises early, and one of the city’s highlights – the Art Deco and Art Neveau inspired market – springs into life before most tourists have even thought about heading to their daily breakfast buffet. Mercado dos Lavradores, designed by architect Edmundo Tavares and adorned with beautiful azulejos shipped from mainland Portugal, is at its best on Friday and Saturday mornings when the inner courtyard becomes jammed with stalls stacked high with local produce grown on the intriguing terraced fields that occupy Madeira’s steep-sided valleys.

The fruit and vegetables on display are like a living history of Madeira’s mercantile past; the abundant purple passionfruit and pitanga (a small, sweet and sour fruit that resembles a tiny red pumpkin) where both brought over from Brazil while the previously unknown to me custard apple originated in the Andes. Make sure to wander up to the upper section of the market to sample the fruits for yourself, ensuring that you pick up a surprisingly delicious Monstera fruit to sample

Beyond its enormous food harvest, Madeira’s position out in the Atlantic means that fresh fish is a staple come meal time and Mercado dos Lavradores is the place to go to seek out local specialities like tuna and the rather disturbing looking black scabbard fish that resembles a creature from one of Hans Ruedi Giger’s worst nightmares. Even if you don’t intend to buy any fish for yourself, the theatre of the market is worth watching as grizzled, chain-smoking fishmongers slice chunks of bright red tuna with long, intimidating machetes on metal tables.

From the Market, head along Rua Fernão Ornelas and cross Funchal’s central river to reach the city’s beautiful, pedestrianised Cathedral quarter where the purple blooms of jacaranda trees form a colourful canopy over the black and white checkerboard pavements. For those that are particularly taken with the city’s colourful foliage, Jardim de São Francisco, Santa Catarina Park & Jardim Municipal do Funchal offer wonderful displays of trees from Africa and South America and waterways that flow under flamboyant African tulip trees.

There’s plenty to occupy an entire day in downtown Funchal, where the wide, 20th century boulevards and narrow alleyways are jam-packed with picturesque praças – the municipal square with its 18th-century town hall and ornate fountain is particularly beautiful – crumbling forts and elegant old manor houses. Museums appear to be a dime a dozen. While some are best described as esoteric and niche, others are real cultural gems. The Museu de Arte Sacra , sitting beside Praça do Municipio, is the best of the bunch and here you will find priceless masterpieces that were originally acquired by 15th and 16th century merchants as payment from Flemish traders for Madeira’s bountiful sugar shipments.

Museums to Visit in Funchal

If you have longer than a single day to spend in Madeira’s capital and are tired of wandering its picturesque – but hilly – streets, you may want to step inside one of the city’s fantastic museums to gain a deeper insight into Madeira’s history.

It’s hard to spend any amount of time in Madeira without realising that Portugal’s most famous export, the world’s greatest footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo grew up on the outskirts of Funchal. The Island’s airport is named after him, there are multiple bronze statues dotted around the place, and almost everyone you meet will utter his name and regale you with tales of their (often tenuous) connection to him.

Sitting on the Funchal waterfront beside one such statue of Cristiano is the CR7 Museum; a copper-coloured building filled with trinkets and trophies gathered throughout the Ronaldo’s distinguished career. This is a museum that’s strictly for fans as you won’t get a real insight into the man himself, rather it is a glorified trophy room packed with shirts, hat trick balls, and replicas of the dozens of trophies that he has earned through the years.

Where : Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro Nº27 When : Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm

Quinta das Cruzes

Sitting on Funchal Bay and surrounded by an oasis of lush, tropical gardens, this beautiful Madeiran manor house was originally home to João Gonçalves Zarco, the Portuguese captain who discovered Madeira, and now contains an exquisite collection of furniture, sculpture, and decorative pieces gathered together by César Filipe Gomes.

Where : Calçada do Pico, nº1 When : Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5.30pm

Madeira Story Centre

Situated in the heart of Funchal’s old town, the Madeira Story Centre is a modern, interactive museum that narrates the 14 million year-long tale of the island from its Volcanic beginnings to modern-day tourism via sections on Madeira’s discovery development and trading history.

Where : R. Dom Carlos I 27 When : Daily 9am – 7pm

Casa da Luz – Museu de Electricidade

One of the Island’s most niche attractions, the Museu de Electricidade is dedicated to the history of electricity generation on Madeira. Situated in a now-decommissioned power station that remains the headquarters of EEM (the Madeira Electric Company), the museum features interactive exhibits on Madeira’s use of renewable resources as well as a huge hall that is home to the Island’s impressive old diesel generators.

Where : R. Casa da Luz 2 When : Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 12.30pm & 2 – 6pm

Museu de Arte Sacra

Taking pride of place in Funchal’s beautiful Praça do Município, the former 16th-century bishop’s palace now hosts the fabulous Museu de Arte Sacra, home to an enormous collection of religious art, sculptures, and vestments that date from the end of the 15th century to the 19th century and once hung in the island’s once hung in the island’s manor houses and churches.

One of the highlights is the museum’s section of Flemish sculpture, sourced from Mechelen and Antwerp, while the collection of 15th and 16th-century Flemish paintings, aquired by merchant’s in Madeira during the height of the island’s sugar production days, is a must-see.

Where : R. do Bpo. 21 When : Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 6pm; Sunday 10am – 1pm

IBTAM Museum

If you spend any amount of time wandering the streets of Funchal, you are bound to witness women sat in doorways outside of their workshops, carefully embroidering fabric in elegant and intricate designs. Madeira’s hand embroidery is thought by many to be the finest of its kind in the world, passed from generation to generation for over 150 years. IBTAM is the organisation that oversees Madeiran embroidery and this charming museum at their headquarters gives visitors an insight into the island’s traditional textile industry.

Where : Rua Visconde de Anadia 44 When : Monday to Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 5.30pm

Museu Photographia Vicentes

This well-preserved photographic studio, set up in 1865 by Vicente Gomes da Silva and in operation until 1982 is now home to a wonderful collection of over 800,000 historical images that depict Madeiran island life.

Where : Rua da Carreira 43 When : Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm

While in the city centre, it would be remiss not to stop off at one of Funchal’s best architectural sights. The 16th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (or just plain old Sé Catedral to locals) is one of the few structures that has survived virtually intact since the early colonisation of Madeira and was declared a national monument in 1910. Mostly, the cathedral is famed for its ceiling, thought to be one of the most beautiful in all of Portugal.

Coffee culture is big in Funchal, and I am told by a local tour guide that coffee breaks for workers can often spiral into one or two hour affairs with packed tables spilling out onto every one of the city’s cobbled lanes any time of the day. Just be warned that ordering a coffee here isn’t like at home; asking for a cappuccino, latte, or flat white may get you a few funny looks. In Madeira, the locals order a bica (similar to an Italian espresso but milder), garoto (meaning ‘little boy’, this is a bica with milk), Chino (a slightly larger bica, similar to an americano), or a Chinesa (a larger garato).

If you need a caffeine fix, get it alongside a sweet treat at UauCacau , a chocolate shop founded by master chocolatier Tony Fernandes. They offer over 40 different flavours based on products of the island including banana, mango, passion fruit, pitanga, Poncha or Madeira wine. If that doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, then seek out Fabrica Santo Antonio . This quaint old shop and factory with its early 20th-century display cases, scales and counters was founded by Francisco Roque Gomes da Silva in 1893. He was inspired by the large English presence on Madeira and decided that he could make a successful business baking cookies for the Brits to eat with their afternoon tea. With that, Madeira’s first biscuit factory was born. Much of the original machinery (imported from England) is still used today, although the factory has since diversified to create jams, marmalades, sweets and traditional bolo de mel (molasses cake).

After getting your fill of gluttonous baked goods, make your way back towards Mercado dos Lavradores and wander west down Rua de Santa Maria into Funchal’s old town, the ‘Zona Velha’. This jumble of terracotta-roofed buildings sandwiched between the market and the impressive, canary-yellow Fortaleza de Santiago was, until fairly recently, a cluster of run-down fishermen’s cottages and merchant’s buildings but of late it transformed itself into a tourist-friendly dining and nightlife hub.

Part of the resurgence is thanks to the Painted Doors Project , a public art project intended to turn the old town into a significant cultural centre and a permanent art gallery, by commissioning local artists to decorate the doors of houses, shops and restaurants along Rua de Santa Maria.

Rua Santa Maria is awash with restaurants, most of them swelling beyond their premises onto the streets outside. While many are best described as mediocre and tourist traps at worst, there are some gems to be found. One such gem is Restaurant Santa Maria , set within a former primary school and dishing up delicious plates of Madeira’s abundant seafood. Although I may have previously described black scabbard fish as ugly, Santa Maria’s versions served with banana and passionfruit sauce or rolled with bacon and shrimp before being drizzled with mango chutney are both exquisite.

To reach the hillside suburb of Monte – a good 4km / 1.5-hour walk uphill from Funchal’s centre – you’re best catching the cable car (€12.50 one-way or €18 return) from its base station in the Almirante Reis Gardens, giving you a panoramic view over the city’s red rooftops as you make your way from the bustling city centre into the verdant slopes, hills and valleys of its outskirts, with the bright blue Atlantic Ocean providing a backdrop for the entire ride.

Monte, sitting 550m above Funchal and surrounded by lush wooded gardens, was once used as a health resort for Europe’s wealthy, who would come to stroll the tranquil streets and make the most of its favourable climate. You will find several “ quintas ” surrounded by tropical gardens, which formerly operated as luxurious hotels served by a train that navigated the slopes from Funchal to Monte between 1893 and 1930.

One such garden is the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens . Set in the grounds of a former hotel that was once the 18th-century private residence of the British Consul Charles Murray, this 70,000m ² houses an huge collection of exotic plants from all over the globe as well as a sprawling Japanese garden and picturesque lake. It was in the late 80s that the land was purchased in the late 1980s local entrepreneur José Berardo and transformed further, adding rockeries, fountains, sculptures and follies. As well as the gardens themselves, there are a few interesting exhibition spaces such as ‘African Passion’ which displays a collection of over 1000 contemporary Zimbabwean sculptures and ‘Mother Nature’s Secrets’, a jaw-dropping display of one of the finest private collections of minerals in the world.

The journey back to Funchal is even more thrilling than the cable car ride to Monte; a heart-stopping trip through the narrow, winding streets on a wicker toboggan. This is thought to be the oldest form of public transportation in the city, used by the wealthy owners of the neighbourhood’s quintas as a rapid way of transporting both goods and people down to Funchal.

The journey back to Funchal is even more thrilling than the cable car ride to Monte; a heart-stopping ride through the narrow, winding streets on a wicker toboggan. This is thought to be the oldest form of public transportation in the city, originating in the mid-19th century when the carts were used by the wealthy owners of the neighbourhood’s quintas as a rapid way of transporting both goods and people down to Funchal. The design of the carts hasn’t changed much over the last 100 years; they’re typically made of eucalyptus wood and wicker branches from the Curral das Freiras before being fitted with an upholstered seat and two wooden runners – malhares – that are greased with tallow to help them glide on the concrete. in perfect conditions, the speeds of the carts can reach up to 30 mph, guided by two drivers dressed in pristine white uniforms and their signature straw hats.

The carts depart from an area beside the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church and it takes around 10 minutes to ride the 2km route down to Livramento, a little below Monte. From there it is a further 15 to 20 minute walk downhill to Funchal or a short bus ride.

Read More : Carreiros do Monte – Riding Funchal’s Toboggan Run

By this point in the day, you have probably earned a stiff drink and there is no better place to start than the island’s emblematic tipple; Madeira wine. Like Portugal’s other famous alcoholic export, Port, Madeira is a fortified wine, dating back centuries when wines were taken on board merchant vessels as victuals and brandy was added to each barrel to improve its keeping qualities during the long sea voyages. Surprisingly, it was found that the heat and humidity of the ship’s cabins dramatically enhanced the wines and it soon grew in popularity worldwide.

Occupying a former Franciscan monastery, Adegas de São Francisco, Blandy’s Wine Lodge is probably the best place in Funchal to learn all about Madeiran Wine. The Blandy family’s history of wine production dates back to 1811 when John Blandy, along with his brothers Thomas and George, founded his own business as a wine shipper and general trader. Eventually he purchased this property in Funchal due to it having the perfect layout, shape and structure to create a combination of unique temperature and humidity conditions for ageing Madeira wine.

The company is still run by the 6th and 7th generations of the Blandy family, Michael and Chris Blandy, and a fascinating tour of their wine lodge covers the making of barrels at the Cooperage, the transformation of grapes into Madeira wine, a look at their Brasilian satinwood storage vats and a look of the on-site museum. This is followed by the most important part of the tour; a Madeira wine tasting session. Tours last 45 minutes and cost €11.00 per person.

Come evening time, as cruise ship passengers return to their cosy cabins bound for new destinations, Funchal begins to both empty of crowds and come to life. This is the perfect time to wander the beautiful seafront and take in one of the islands famed sunsets as the mighty Atlantic rolls and swells beneath the orange skies. Make your way past the hulking ocean liners that roll and sway in the city’s harbour towards Forte Sao Jose, a former micronation that more recently became an informal cat sanctuary, and onwards to the Design Centre.

Part exhibition centre featuring work by designer Nini Andrade Silva and part fine dining restaurant, the elegant and fancy Design Centre sits high above the city on top of “Molhe” – the Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição – which was once the home of Gonçalves Zarco, an old Portuguese sea navigator.

By the time the sun has set, the locals have come out to play and the historic old town takes on a livelier atmosphere, particularly along Rua Santa Maria, where tables spill out on to narrow cobbles and revelers gather to sup on beer and cocktails. While I mentioned earlier that Madeira wine is the emblematic drink of the island, the locals tend to favour poncha, a deceptively intoxicating mixture of sugar cane liqueur, honey, orange and lemon juice. This potent concoction can be found in most bars on the island, although the best small, traditional poncha bars can be a little harder to located due to the fact that many are nameless. Even asking for local recommendations can be a little confusing when it comes to this tipple, as everyone has their own favourite bar, but Venda Velha in the heart of old Funchal, comes highly recommended, as does the poncha at Pub Number 2 (suggested by our trusty coach driver) in the hotel zone. Just don’t get it confused with ‘The Pub’ across the street, as I did.

Where to Eat and Drink in Funchal

One thing is for certain, you won’t run out of great places to eat in Funchal. The Madeiran capital is packed with restaurants, ranging from Michelin-starred fine dining establishments to hole in the wall bakeries and small snack bars .

Armazém do Sal

Rustic with lots of character and charm, this old-style wood and stone restaurant is one of Funchal’s real gems. The compact a la carte menu is best described as refined and sophisticated.

Where : R. da Alfândega 135 When : Monday to Saturday 12pm – 3pm & 6.30pm – 11pm

Il Gallo d’Oro

Situated in Porto Bay’s five-star Cliff Bay Hotel, the two-Michelin star Il Gallo d’Oro is one of the island’s most prestigeous dining experiences. Chef Benoît Sinthon offers a 7 to 10-course tasting menu made with the best in local ingredients sourced from the island.

Where : Estrada Monumental 147 When : Tuesday to Saturday 7pm – 10pm

Santa Maria

Located on charismatic Santa Maria Street and set in a former elementary school, Santa Maria is a hostel and eatery offering a modern take on traditional Portuguese gastronomy. A Hostel may not scream great food to most people but Santa Maria’s menu is far from the basic sustenance you will find in most European backpacker boltholes; think freshly made sushi, lagareiro style octopus, and black scabbard with banana and passion fruit sauce.

Where : Rua de Santa Maria 145 When : Daily 12pm – 11pm

Belmond Reid’s Palace

Surrounded by lush subtropical gardens and perched above Funchal Harbour, the luxurious Belmond Reid Hotel has been welcomed guests for 130 years. Its elegant afternoon tea of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and homemade pastries is served by waiters in white suit jackets on the pastel pink, checkerboard floored terrace three times a week and is the ultimate indulgance.

If you want to splash out further, the hotel’s Michelin-starred William Restaurant is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 7.30pm and 11pm, although it is recommended that you book in advance.

Where : Estrada Monumental 139 When : Afternoon tea is available Available Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, at 3pm and 4.30pm.

Design Centre

The Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva is situated high above Funchal marina in a building building known locally as “Molhe” – the Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which was once the home of Gonçalves Zarco, an old Portuguese sea navigator.

Nowadays the old fort is home to a store, cafeteria-lounge and permanent exhibition/museum featuring work by Madeiran designer Nini Andrade Silva. The top floor restauraunt is strictly fine dining, with an a la carte menu recreating Madeiran regional cuisine with additional style and flair.

Where : Estrada da Pontinha When : Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 11pm

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Where : Rua da Carreira 108 When : Monday to Friday 9.30am – 6pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am – 4pm

Restaurante dos Combatentes

A simple and unpretentious family-run eatery serving traditional Madeiran favourites such as scabbardfish and espetada in a quaint, antique filled dining room.

Where : R. de São Francisco When : Monday to Saturday 11.45am – 3.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm

Three House

Where : Rua Brigadeiro Oudinot 2 When : Daily 5pm – 10pm

Good beer can be hard to come by in Madeira, mainly due to the fact that Coral appear to dominate the taps of most pubs with their mass-produced lager and stout. Luckily, Fugacidade is one of the few bars on the island catering to craft beer lovers, offering a wide range of styles both on keg and in can, albeit limited to breweries based on mainland Portugal.

Where : R. do Conde de Canavial 22 When : Monday to Friday 8am – 12am; Saturday 6pm – 12am

When is the Best time to Visit Funchal?

Madeira is truly a year-round destination where any month of the year is ideal for visiting. You will find that the island is at its busiest in summer when temperatures often sit in the 24-25 ºC region and rarely drop below the mid-teens. Even in winter, you will find the climate is a rather agreeable 18-20 ºC, however, expect rain, showers and storms until mid-February when clear skies become the norm again.

In my opinion, spring is the perfect time to visit Madeira; This is a time of year when much of the island’s diverse flora is in bloom and April & May both bring long, dry days with plenty of sunshine. This is also a time when the annual Festa da Flor (flower festival) takes place, bringing an explosion of colour to Funchal.

It’s worth noting that both flights and accommodation become more expensive towards the end of December due to New Year’s Eve when people flock here to experience Madeira’s extravagant firework display.

Dave McClane

David McClane is a photographer and travel writer based in Leeds, UK. Since first picking up a camera on a yearlong journey through Central and South America in 2014/2015, He has carefully documented his travels through almost 50 countries.

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La capitale: Culture, Nature et Cosmopolitisme

Située au cœur d'une baie bordée par l'océan Atlantique sur la côte sud de l'île de Madère, Funchal est la capitale et le centre touristique, culturel et commercial de l'archipel.

Marché des Lavradores

Carrinhos de Cesto

Événements

Gastronomie et madeira

Points d'intérêt.

Activités à Funchal

Activités dans la mer Observation des cétacés

Activités dans la nature Madeira tours

Activités dans la mer Natation

Activités dans la nature VTT à Madère

Activités dans la mer Plongée

Activités dans la mer Windsurf

Restaurants à Funchal