Funchal, Portugal: travel guide
Capital of Madeira — subtropical gardens, Monte toboggan run and cable car, levada walks and a lively old-town seafront.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Madeira
- Nearest airport
- FNC
Top places to visit in Funchal
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Nature · about 2 h · entry EUR 15
Terraced hillside garden with koi lakes, tiled panels and oriental features above Funchal.
Monte Toboggan Run (Carros de Cesto)
Activity · about 0.3 h
Wicker basket sledges steered by carreiros down the steep streets from Monte to Livramento.
Funchal Cathedral (Sé)
Church · about 0.5 h
Late 15th-century cathedral with a Mudéjar cedar-wood ceiling, in the city centre.
Mercado dos Lavradores
Market · about 0.8 h
Bustling 1940s market hall for tropical fruit, flowers, espada fish and scabbardfish.
Rua de Santa Maria (Painted Doors)
Heritage · about 0.8 h
Old-town lane where dozens of doors were turned into artworks under the "Art of Open Doors" project.
Jardim Botânico da Madeira
Nature · about 1.5 h · entry EUR 7
Hillside botanical garden with geometric flowerbeds, endemic flora and bay views.
Nossa Senhora do Monte Church
Church · about 0.5 h
Twin-towered pilgrimage church above Funchal; burial place of the last Habsburg emperor.
Pico do Arieiro
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h
Madeira's third-highest peak (1818m), a road-accessible viewpoint and trailhead above the clouds.
Cabo Girão Skywalk
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h
Glass-floored platform on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs (~580m), just west of Funchal.
Funchal Cable Car (Teleférico)
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h · entry EUR 18
Cable car rising from the old-town seafront to Monte with panoramic bay views.
Forte de São Tiago
Fort · about 0.5 h
17th-century yellow seafront fortress at the edge of the old town.
Things to do
- Levada Walk Guided Hike (Madeira) Adventure · 5 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Monte Cable Car & Toboggan Combo Sightseeing · 2 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Madeira 4x4 Island Tour Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 60 per person
- Dolphin & Whale Watching (Madeira) Wildlife · 3 h · from EUR 40 per person
- Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hike Adventure · 5 h · from EUR 55 per person
Day trips and tours
- Madeira West 4x4 & Levada 8 h · from EUR 60
Where to stay in Funchal
- Sé / City Centre about EUR 110 per night
Central Funchal near the cathedral, market and old town.
- Lido / Hotel Zone about EUR 140 per night
Seaside promenade west of centre with the big resort hotels and lidos.
Hotels
- Belmond Reid's Palace 5-star · EUR 350 to EUR 900 per night
- Castanheiro Boutique Hotel 4-star · EUR 130 to EUR 260 per night
- Funchal Design Hostel 2-star · EUR 24 to EUR 80 per night
- Hotel do Carmo 3-star · EUR 65 to EUR 120 per night
Where to eat
- O Tapassol Madeiran, Portuguese, Seafood · about EUR 24 per person
- Restaurante Gavião Novo Madeiran, Seafood · about EUR 22 per person
- Kampo by Júlio Pereira Madeiran, Contemporary · about EUR 32 per person
- Il Gallo d'Oro Fine Dining, Portuguese · about EUR 190 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Cable Car main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced unmetered taxis
Funchal airport and cruise port
Some drivers quote inflated flat fares to tourists for airport and island trips.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare or insist on the meter before departing; use official ranks.