Funchal is the capital city of the Madeira archipelago which consists of four islands; the inhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, and the uninhabited islands of Desertas and Selvagens. This archipelago forms the autonomous region of Portugal. Located on Madeira Islands southern coast, Funchal is the best area to stay as a 'base' when visiting the island as there is so much to do in the city, it's in close proximity to a lot of the islands main attractions (i.e. popular hikes and sights) and is a common pick-up destination for transfers and tours. We spent a month on Madeira, using Funchal as a home-base where we rented our accommodation, and it couldn't have been more perfect.
Events and Festivals in Funchal:
Something to know before visiting is that the center of Funchal is very community-driven. There are so many large events, particularly during the summer, and you should know about them so you don't miss out! They offer weekly fireworks and concerts during the Atlantic Festival, parades and exhibits during the Flower Festival and beautiful vintage car shows during the Auto Parade & Classic Car Revival festival. The community even gathers together in parks along the promenade to watch football games on a big projector screen. You truly feel apart of the local culture when visiting and these events are incredibly fun.
As there is so much to do in Funchal, here are the top things to do in Funchal broken down as a 3-day itinerary for travelers who (1) only have a few days to explore the city and are looking to make it count or (2) are looking for fun things to do in Funchal on days you aren't out exploring the rest of the island.
Funchal 3-Day Itinerary
Day One
On your first day, you'll stay in the center near the coast and spend your time wandering the picturesque streets while shopping, visiting historical sights and getting to know the local food and drinks.
Overview:
Parks & Gardens (Parque de Santa Catarina, Jardim Municipal do Funchal, Praça do Povo)
Popular & Eventful Streets (Avenida Arriaga, Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas, Rua de Santa Maria, Avenida Do Mar/the Funchal Promenade)
Historical Sights (Funchal Cathedral, Forte de São Tiago)
Food and Drinks (Poncha, Black Scabbardfish with Banana)
Walking tour itinerary: (Google maps walking route at the end!)
Since I don't know where exactly in Funchal your accommodation will be (duh!), wake up and grab some coffee or tea with a pastel de nata. This is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry with a crispy outside and creamy filling - it is so delicious and the thought is making my mouth water as I write this!
1) After having probably 3 pastel de natas because once you take one bite you wont be able to stop, head to Parque de Santa Catarina where this walking tour begins. It's a beautiful large park on a hill with stunning views, lawn areas, a large pond with swans and ducks, and two cafes. Sit and grab another coffee since you have a long day of exploring ahead of you! Walk around the park, look at the stunning views, and then head to Avenida Arriaga.
2) Avenida Arriaga has a multitude of restaurants and often has unique locally-made art displays lining the sidewalk. Just off of this street, take a detour to stroll through Jardim Municipal do Funchal. This park is tropical and refreshing with some handmade jewelry and accessory stands. Continue back on Avenida Arriaga and stop inside of the Funchal Cathedral (Sé Catedral do Funchal) - just make sure there's not a wedding or ceremony going on first as this cathedral often has events taking place. Keep walking until you get to Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas, which you'll turn onto.
Avenida Arriaga during the Flower Festival
3) Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas is a lively shopping and cafe-filled street with a ton of ice cream and desert shops! Continue on and cross the large intersection to begin exploring tens of tiny, narrow and beautiful side streets - especially don't miss walking on Rua de Santa Maria.
4) Rua de Santa Maria
What makes Santa Maria particularly unique is that it is historically one of the oldest streets in the art district - there is a multitude of art galleries & exhibits and nearly every single door on this street is hand painted with a beautiful image by both local and global artists.
Not necessarily on this street (though you can if you'd like), but rather in this general area, you'll grab some lunch. Have an aperitif, and for your meal you have to get Black Scabbardfish with Banana as it is a delicious Madeiran deep-sea delicacy and no visit to Funchal is complete without tasting it! I tried the black scabbardfish at 'Santa Maria Restaurant' located on Rua de Santa Maria and it was amazing there. The scabbardfish pairs very well with Madeiran wine such as a glass of Verdelho.
5) After wandering these streets and having some good lunch, you'll head to see Forte de São Tiago. It is a yellow fort along the coast that was built in the early 17th century to protect from pirate attacks. Madeira suffered from an extreme amount of brutal pirate attacks in the 16th and 17th century, so the fortress was very important to protect the islands inhabitants. Entrance is free - it's pretty tiny and won't take much time to walk through. When you're done, there's a small restaurant in the courtyard of the fortress. Try and get a table near the windows that overlook the ocean and have a drink before heading to the last stop.
6) Lastly for the day, you'll head down Avenida Do Mar/the Funchal Promenade until you get to Praça do Povo. It is a beautiful park in front of the Funchal Marina where festival events and concerts often take place. There is a large group of food trucks and a line of food & drink stands, a few of which sell delicious poncha. Poncha is a traditional Madeiran alcoholic drink made from aguardente de cana, honey, sugar, and either orange juice or lemon juice. The flavor is sweet and tangy and it is stronger than it tastes, so take it slow!
If you're visiting in the summer it's nearly guaranteed something will be going on in the park. It's a bustling area in the evening and though you don't have a direct view of the sunset from Funchal, the sky turns beautiful colors. Grab dinner at a restaurant along the promenade or from one of the food trucks/stands.
Google Maps Walking Route
Here is a walking route I created on google maps that you can follow if you'd like! Be sure to explore all the little side streets that surround points 'D' and 'F'!
Day Two
On day two you'll go up the mountain to explore the higher points of Funchal for beautiful views of the city.
Overview:
Cable cars
Botanical gardens
Toboggan rides
Ride the cable cars (Teleférico do Funchal) that are located on Avenida do Mar for panoramic views of the coastal city! It takes around 20 minutes to get to the top with an incline of 3,200 meters (prices listed below). Once you’re at the top, you'll be in Monte.
Things to do in Monte:
There are two botanical gardens, and each use separate cable cars to get there. From Teleférico do Funchal off of Avenida do Mar you'll be taken directly next to the Monte Palace Botanical Gardens.
You can, from a different set of cable cars near Monte Palace Botanical Gardens, take another cable car to a different set of gardens called Jardim Botânico. This second cable car station is called Teleférico Jardim Botânico. I personally don’t think it would be worth it to visit this second garden on a second cable car. The Monte Palace gardens on it's own is incredible! You walk through a tropical paradise past statues, ponds, flowers, flamingos, and breathtaking views of the ocean. It's so beautiful and you don't need to visit two (especially if you're trying to be budget-friendly), but can if you'd like. The gardens are perfect for spending a few hours.
There is also a small bar in the Monte Palace gardens where you can grab some poncha or aperol spritzers (or just a cold water) with a beautiful view. There are restaurants and cafes in Monte that have beautiful views as well so I highly recommend having some lunch while you're up there.
Pricing (as of 2024):
Teleférico do Funchal (From Avenida do Mar in central Funchal to the top of the mountain near Monte Palace Botanical Gardens)
Adult - One way €12,50; Round trip €18.00
Child (7-14) - One way €6.50; Round trip €9.00
Children (0-6) - Free
Adult - €15.00
Child (<15) - Free with adult supervision
Teleférico Jardim Botânico (From the top of the mountain near both the Teleferico do Funchal & the Monte Palace Botanical Gardens, to Jardim Botanico)
Cable Car Only
Adult - One way €9.25; Round trip €14.00
Child (7-14) - One way €4.50; Round trip €7.00
Children (0-6) - Free
Cable Car and Botanical Gardens Entry Combo Ticket
Adult - One way €15.50; Round trip €20.00
Youth (13-14) - One way €11.50; Round trip €14.00
Child (7-12) - One way €7.50; Round trip €10.00
Children (0-6) - Free
Botanical Gardens Entry Only
Ages 12+ - €7.50
Ages 6-12 - €3.00
<6 - Free
Riding the toboggans is the most famous way to get back down the mountain. The toboggan ride is where you sit on a wicker sledge and have two "Carreiros" drive/push you down the steep mountain roads for 2km from Monte towards central Funchal. "Carreiros" are what the men who operate the sledges are called. The ride starts from the hill next to the Monte Palace gardens and you can watch them from the bar inside the garden. I had so much fun seeing them speed by!
The toboggans are quite expensive at €27.50 for one person, €35 for two and €52.50 for three, but they are definitely such a unique and fun way of commuting back to Funchal. They are cash only so if you plan on using this method of transportation make sure you have enough! Also if you are doing this don't forget to only get single-trip cable car tickets on your way up.
Day Three
Funchal (and Madeira as a whole) has one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. On your third day you're going to take to the seas! It's time for a boat day followed by relaxing and swimming at the beach.
Overview:
Boat Tour, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Snorkeling
Beaches
Praia do Almirante Reis
Praia de São Tiago
Praia do Toco
1) Boat Tour
Taking a boat tour is a must when in Funchal. All of the tours leave from the same place, which is the Funchal Marina. The boat companies have stands at the marina that are open during the day to buy in-person tickets, including for same-day tours based upon availability. I highly recommend booking in advance which can be done at the stands or on websites such as Get Your Guide and Viator.
Most of the boat tours are designated for spotting marine life and advertise as dolphin and whale watching tours, but they also usually include stops for swimming and snorkeling. You just have to remember you aren't guaranteed to see any marine life as the boat tour operators can't control the animals movements! They have 'spotters' all over the nearby ocean that are in constant communication with the captains of the boat, but since you're only on the tour for a limited period of time unfortunately (like me) you may end up not seeing a single marine animal; nonetheless I still had a great time!
How could you possibly be upset when you're out on a gorgeous catamaran with beautiful views of the island, sipping drinks and anchoring off the coast to snorkel. For the tour I booked, we had unlimited alcohol and a variety of snacks included; not all tours have this so check the details of your tour before booking. I went on this tour with 'VIP Dolphins' and I highly recommend it. There are so many other companies, but I prefer a limited amount of people with refreshments. I saw a lot of other boat tours going by near us and they looked extremely crowded while I was sitting comfortably on the front of a very nice catamaran!
2) Beaches
There are a few options of beaches you can visit. First is the main beach off of Avenida Do Mar called Praia do Almirante Reis. It's a small pebble beach and the view from the jetty with the light-tower is beautiful, especially at night. The water is calm here, it's surprisingly never crowded and is a great spot to tan, picnic and swim.
Another nearby option is Praia de São Tiago which is a small concrete & pebble beach right in front of Forte de São Tiago. There is a beach bar here called Santiago Beach Bar with refreshing cold drinks.
A third option is a hidden cliffside beach, which I recommend going just to explore because it's not the best place to spend the whole day. It's called Praia do Toco and is a beautiful old fisherman's beach. This one is a little tricky to get too, as you'll have to put 'Path to Praia do Toco' into your google maps and continue on the street until you find the stairs that descend down the cliffside.
Make some great memories in Funchal and enjoy Madeira Island!!
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