What to do in Funchal? Our 10 must-see activities and visits

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What to do in Funchal: 10 things you absolutely must do

Here is a selection of activities and places not to miss during your stay:

1. Go to the Mercado dos Lavradores

This market is the living heart of Funchal. Open since 1940, it attracts locals and visitors alike. You'll find an explosion of colour with tropical fruit (passion fruit, apple banana…), stalls of exotic flowers such as the bird of paradise, and an area dedicated to fish where the famous Madeira black scabbardfish is the star.
Wandersand tip: go early in the morning to enjoy the authentic atmosphere and avoid the crowds. Try the exotic fruit, but beware: prices are often higher than in neighbourhood markets.

2. Explore the Madeira botanical garden

Perched on the heights, the Monte Palace Madeira garden of 35,000 m² is home to more than 2,000 plant species from around the world. Its special feature? Its perfectly ordered flower beds draw magnificent patterns when seen from above. As a bonus, the view over Funchal and the ocean is splendid.
Wandersand tip: combine the visit with the cable car ride, which will drop you almost at the entrance to the garden. Allow about 2 hours for the visit.

Other gardens to visit: 

• the Parque do Monte, a public garden on the heights of the town
• the Funchal Botanical Garden with its mosaic of flowers, nestled in the Quinta do Bom Sucesso estate.  
• The Quinta Jardins do Imperador, a former manor surrounded by gardens.

3. Take the Funchal cable car

This modern cable car links the centre of Funchal to the village of Monte, flying over the town, the red roofs and the gardens. For info, the journey lasts only about fifteen minutes, not to be missed for its incredible panorama.
Wandersand tip: sit on the sea side for the best view. Remember to take a return ticket (learn more)

4. See the Monte church and its cemetery

Located at 550 metres above sea level, the church of Nossa Senhora do Monte is a major pilgrimage site. It houses the tomb of Charles I, the last emperor of Austria, who died in exile in Madeira in 1922. The adjoining cemetery is peaceful, with a magnificent view of the bay.
Practical info: the church is right at the exit of the cable car station.

5. Dare to take the traditional toboggan ride (Carreiros do Monte)

It's Funchal's most unusual experience: a 2 km descent through the streets, in wicker baskets mounted on runners, guided by two men dressed in white and wearing straw hats. This tradition dates back to the 19th century, when residents used to travel down to the town centre this way.
Practical info: allow about €35 for two for the 2 km descent (about 10 min). The start is next to the Monte church, reached by cable car or by bus from the centre of Funchal (lines 20, 21 or 48). The finish is at Caminho do Monte nº82/84. Activity available from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

6. Funchal Cathedral (Sé)

Built in the late 15th century, it is one of the few period buildings still intact on the island. Its carved wooden ceiling, made of Madeira cedar inlaid with ivory, is a masterpiece. It is located in the heart of Funchal's historic centre. After this visit, go for a stroll along the nearby Avenida Arriaga.

7. The CR7 Museum

Football fans won't want to miss this museum entirely dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, born in Funchal in 1985. You can see his trophies, his shirts and photos tracing his career. In front of the museum stands a bronze statue of the player, very popular for photos.
Practical tip: the museum is near the marina, easy to include in a walk along the seafront.

8. Discover Fort São Tiago

Built in the 17th century to protect the town from pirates, this bright yellow fort catches the eye from the port. It long served as a military residence before housing a contemporary art museum. From its ramparts, you'll have a breathtaking view of the sea. To complete this visit, we recommend a stroll in the nearby Zona Velha.

9. Go for a walk at Funchal marina

The central point of the town, the marina is lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. It is also the departure point for many boat excursions. In the evening, it comes alive with terraces and the town's lights. Ideal for a break at the end of the day, with a drink on a terrace to admire the sunset.

10. Plan a Madeira wine tasting

It's impossible to visit Funchal without tasting Madeira wine, the fortified wine that made the island famous. Several historic cellars, such as Blandy's, offer guided tours followed by tastings. You'll discover the different styles: dry, medium-dry, sweet…
Wandersand tip: book a tour at the start of your stay to better understand this emblematic product that you'll then find in the local cuisine.

What to do from Funchal: the most beautiful excursions

Funchal is the ideal starting point for exploring the rest of Madeira. Among the most beautiful excursions accessible in a day:

• Cabo Girão:  a dizzying 580-metre cliff, one of the highest in Europe, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 
• Pico do Arieiro: at 1,800 metres above sea level, it is one of the most impressive peaks on the island for spectacular hikes.
• Santana:  a charming village famous for its little triangular houses with multicoloured thatched roofs. 
• Porto Moniz: a place famous for its natural pools formed by volcanic lava, where clear sea water rushes in with each tide.
• Câmara de Lobos: an authentic fishing village with colourful boats, dear to Winston Churchill who painted his watercolours there.
• Levadas: these irrigation channels lined with paths offer magnificent hikes. A UNESCO-listed site.‍
• Câmara de Lobos : an authentic fishing village with colourful boats, dear to Winston Churchill who painted his watercolours there.

How to visit Funchal on foot?

Exploring Funchal on foot is the best way to soak up its atmosphere. Here is a recommended itinerary for a day of discovery if you're wondering what to do in Funchal:

• Start with the old town (Zona Velha): wander through its cobbled lanes, admire the artistically painted doors and discover the traditional cafés.
  
  
• Head back up to the Sé cathedral: the central point of the town, it marks the historic heart.
  
  
• Cross the Avenida Arriaga: this large lively avenue brings together pretty shops, terraces and the municipal theatre.
  
  
• Take a break at the Santa Catarina park: this green garden offers a superb view of the bay and the marina.
  
  
• Head down to the seafront: stroll between the cruise port and Fort São Tiago, perfect for watching the ocean and the harbour bustle.

If you have time during your stay in Funchal, don't miss these other sites and visits: 

• The Church of the Jesuit College
• the Praia da Barreirinha, Praia Formosa to the west of Funchal with its black sand or Praia de São Tiago, not far from the São Tiago Fortress.
• the Igreja do Carmo, a charming little church with colourful walls in the old town with sublime pieces of goldsmithing
• The Church of São Pedro with its tiles.
• The Igreja de Santa Maria Maior (Socorro) facing the Atlantic Ocean, known as the oldest on the island
• The Frederico de Freitas Museum

Note that the centre can be difficult to access for people with reduced mobility or families with pushchairs, as most of the lanes are cobbled, sometimes with steps and slopes, and sometimes even steep. There are also a few staircases.

FAQ – Visiting Funchal

Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions. 

What to do in Funchal when it rains?

Favour indoor visits: museums, wine cellars, the Mercado dos Lavradores or shopping in the galleries of the centre. Visit the Madeira Photography Museum or the Museum of Sacred Art. Other museums in Funchal to visit during your stay: the Quinta das Cruzes Museum for its collection of decorative arts, the Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum and the Madeira Optics Museum with a collection dating from the 18th and 20th centuries.

What to do in Funchal in the evening?

The Zona Velha is lively in the evening with its bars and restaurants. You can also attend a folk show or relax by the sea.

Is Funchal nice? Is it worth visiting Funchal?

Yes, it's a welcoming, flower-filled and dynamic town that combines authenticity and modernity. It brings together culture, gastronomy and spectacular viewpoints, all in a friendly atmosphere.

How long to visit Funchal?

2 to 3 days are enough to discover the town properly. If you want to go on excursions, allow 4 to 5 days.

Where to park in Funchal? 

Parking in Funchal is fairly easy, with paid and free options. The Praça CR7 car park, located under the museum of the same name, is convenient and open every day except Sunday. Paid but affordable, it lets you avoid the narrow lanes and traffic jams of the historic centre. You can also find a few free spaces in the more distant residential streets, but they are limited.

And that's where our article "What to do in Funchal" ends. We hope all these tips will help you plan your stay for a wonderful holiday in Portugal.