The city of Funchal needs no introduction! Funchal is the most emblematic city of Madeira Island and therefore deserves one or two days to visit and enjoy it calmly. That’s why I’m sharing with you a quick guide to visit Funchal.

The city of Funchal is located in the southern part of Madeira island, which is where the weather is usually more pleasant (usually warmer and less cloudy).

In fact, any time of the year is a good time to visit Madeira and consequently Funchal. Madeira’s weather is widely envied as temperatures do not vary that much all year round and is rarely very cold. Anyway, to enjoy the island in its fullness (trails, beaches, natural pools), it is always preferable to visit during the hottest months: May to October. These are also, as you might expect, the busiest months.

There are also some well-known festivities throughout the year that easily justify a visit to Funchal:

• New Year’s Eve Party (31/December) with one of the best firework shows in Portugal
• Flower Festival (May)
• Market Night Party (23/December) at the Farmers’ Market
• Nossa Senhora do Monte Festival (15/August): the biggest religious celebration in Madeira
• Carnival

This city is not huge, but it still has some points of interest. This way, although it is possible to visit the most emblematic places in 1 day, I suggest booking 2 days to a day and a half to visit Funchal.

Moreover, with the exception of two or three places (Monte Palace Garden or Lido Promenade, for example), we easily walk around the city without needing a car.

Funchal is actually connected with some of the main cities in Europe. Here are some examples:

• Portugal (Porto, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada)
• United Kingdom (Manchester, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Leeds)
• France (Marseille, Paris, Lyon, Nantes)
• Belgium (Brussels)
• Ireland (Dublin)
• Italy (Milan)
• Germany (Nuremberg, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, …)
• Austria (Vienna)
• Spain (Madrid, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote)

Accommodation options are not missing in Funchal. I opted for a local accommodation, which was less than 10 minutes walk from Funchal’s historic center.

The accommodation was ASPA – São Paulo Studios. The apartment was very well equipped and even had a kitchen. The apartments are inserted in an old building that has been completely remodeled.

In addition, every day we were also entitled to a full breakfast, served in an outdoor space. The breakfast consisted of fruit juice, coffee, fruit, scrambled eggs and cheese/jam/ jam/butter and also traditional bread/pastries. Additionally, the offer varied throughout the 3 days I stayed there.

The only negative point is the lack of parking. In the vicinity of the accommodation, there were only paid parking spaces.

Nevertheless, there are many options available in Funchal. Check out some of them:

So, without further ado, I leave you with a list of things you shouldn’t miss on a visit to the city of Funchal. And in order to make your life easier, here is a map version with what to visit in Funchal:

If there’s one thing Madeira Island has plenty of, it’s cable cars. The city of Funchal could not be an exception and, for this reason, one of the most spectacular cable car rides on the island is in Madeira’s capital.

The trip takes about 15 minutes (one way) and from there we have some of the most incredible views over Funchal. The cable car is quite high, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone suffering from vertigo or afraid of heights.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The cable car is open every day of the year from 9 am to 5 pm and costs 18€ return or 12,5€ one way. Check out the most up-to-date information here. 

💡 EXTRA TIP: The Cable Car starts near the Old Town and is an excellent option for going up to the Monte Palace Garden.

Located on top of a hill, the Monte Palace Garden is clearly one of the unmissable places in Funchal. In my opinion, the price is a bit excessive for what it is, but the garden is very beautiful indeed.

Covering an area of about 70.000 m2, here we find possibly the most beautiful garden in the city. The garden is very well maintained and there we can observe several exotic plants, as well as some animals that wander around.

The garden can be explored freely, but given its size, there are three recommended routes, the longest being 2h30. Along the various routes, we find sculptures from the four corners of the world that make us travel far.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The adult ticket costs 12,5€ and the Garden is open every day from 9.30 am to 6 pm. You can consult the most up-to-date information here.

Right next to Monte Palace Garden, Nossa Senhora do Monte Sanctuary is worth a visit. The church was built in the 18th century and is dedicated to the city’s patron saint.

This is one of the most picturesque tours one can take in Madeira. “Carreiros do Monte” appeared in the 19th century as a means of transport for the local inhabitants to get from the parish of Monte to Funchal.

The ride starts near Nossa Senhora do Monte Sanctuary and is a great way to get back down to the city of Funchal after a visit to Monte Palace Garden. Adrenaline is guaranteed on this ride as the path is still 2 km long and the wicker sledges can reach speeds of up to 40 km.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: Prices vary depending on the number of people per wicker sledge, being the lowest price 25€. Check out all the updated information on prices and opening hours here.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Even if you choose not to go down Madeira’s famous toboggan ride, this tourist attraction is worth checking out.

Next to Monte Palace, you can take another cable car to the Madeira Botanical Garden (8,25€ one way or 12,75€ round trip).

The Botanical Garden is another beautiful garden in the city of Funchal. It is located in Bom Sucesso Farm (dating back to 1881) and covers an extensive area of 80.000 m2. The visit costs 6€ but there are ticket options combined with the cable car. You can buy your ticket for the Botanical Garden cable car here.

To visit Funchal and not enter the Lavradores Market would be a shame. The Lavradores Market sells fresh produce but is especially known for its tropical fruit stalls.

💡 EXTRA TIP: The Lavradores Market is quite touristy, so you should pay attention to the price charged for the products (especially in the fruit stalls).

Only 600 metres long, Santa Maria Street is probably one of the best-known streets in Funchal with restaurants and souvenir shops every other door.

As you wander down this street, it is also worth appreciating the latest urban artworks installed here: local artists have made several quirky paintings on almost every door of the street.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Are you not just visiting the city of Funchal and would like to know what to visit on Madeira Island? Read my other blog with this complete 6 days Madeira itinerary.

Located in a small square with the same name, Corpo Santo Chapel is a small chapel erected during the 15th century associated with fishermen’s great devotion.

Built during the 17th century, the São Tiago Fortress enchants anyone who passes by. Its yellow walls tell stories and from there we have some of the best views over the bay of Funchal.

Santa Maria Maior Church was formerly located near Ribeira de João Gomes, having been destroyed by the flood that devastated the city in 1803. Thus, the parish seat was transferred to Santiago Menor Church, which became known as the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maior.

And if the weather permits, why not take a refreshing dip at Barreirinha beach? I only want to mention that this is not a beach with fine sand, but rather a bathing complex by the sea, perfect for swimming.

If the weather is not inviting, you can always stay for the views at Largo do Socorro Viewpoint.

Although not located in the Old Town of Funchal, the Town Square is another must-see in this city. Here you will find the Town Hall (whose interior is visitable), São João Evangelista Church and a very old Fountain.

For those who are interested, this is also where one of the oldest museums in the city is located – Sacred Art Museum.

💡 EXTRA TIP: For those with a sweet tooth, in this area of the city you’ll find Fábrica de Santo António, which produces traditional sweets.

Arriaga Avenue is one of the most remarkable streets of Funchal. With the Infante roundabout at one end and Dom Manuel I Square at the other, here we can visit the following places:

• Cathedral
• João Gonçalves Zarco Statue
• Municipal Garden

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you want to learn about over 200 years of Madeira’s wine history, you can visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge. Book your visit here.

Despite its totally different style from the Monte Palace Garden, Santa Catarina Park is another very pleasant green space in the city.

Parallel to Arriaga Avenue, Mar Avenue offers a wide range of places to visit, including:

• Funchal’s Harbour
• “Povo” square
• São Lourenço Palace
• CR7 Museum and Cristiano Ronaldo statue

💡 EXTRA TIP: Take the opportunity to try some of the best ice creams in Funchal at Gelateria Italiana Venezia, located right next to Povo Square.

A little away from the historic centre, the Lido Promenade is mainly a bathing area.

In fact, the Lido Promenade is a pleasant seafront promenade, with various cafés and restaurants close by. From there, you can easily access several bathing complexes, such as Doca do Cavacas or Poças do Governador, for example.

Formosa Beach is the only “real” beach in Funchal (be aware that the beach has almost no sand and is full of pebbles). About 2 km long, this beach (which is actually divided into 4 beaches) is one of the locals’ favourite beaches.

As I mentioned, it is not difficult to visit Funchal in just 1 day. Of course, we will have to give up some of the points mentioned above, but the visit will not be incomplete.

• Morning: Monte Cable Car + Monte Palace Garden + Nossa Senhora do Monte Sanctuary + Carreiros do Monte
• Afternoon: Mar Avenue + Santa Catarina Park + Arriaga Avenue + Town Square+ Lavradores Market + Santa Maria Street + Chapel of Corpo Santo + São Tiago Fortress+ Santiago Menor Church
• Late afternoon: Sunset at Barreirinha Beach

Madeira’s gastronomy is probably one of the best in Portugal. However, curiously, it was not in Funchal that I found the best restaurants. Nevertheless, everything is relatively close in Madeira so I’ll also share some nice options relatively close by:

• [Funchal] A Gruta (€€€): a very nice place right next to the Harbour, where we tried “picado” and a very nice seafood rice with octopus.
• [Funchal] A Bica (€€): simple place, located next to the Lavradores Market. Tasty traditional food at interesting prices.
• [Funchal] Barreirinha Bar Café (€€): a very nice bar right by the sea. The house specialities are “pregos” in “bolo do caco” and hamburgers. It is also worth mentioning the Nikita, which was the best one I drank on this trip.

• [Camâra de Lobos – 10 min drive] O Polar (€): They only serve skewers and barbecue chicken, but the skewers
  are simply divine. In addition, the price is absolutely fantastic.
• [Camacha – 20 min drive] Abrigo do Pastor (€€): Very traditional restaurant with very well-prepared dishes. Excellent value for money and attentive service. We tried the regional skewers and magnificent bean rice as a side dish.
• [Santa Cruz – 18 min drive] A Bilheteira (€): a simple restaurant, but with an excellent “picado” and “prego” in “bolo do caco”.

If you are curious about the local foods and drinks that you can’t miss in Madeira, you should definitely read this blog post to learn more about it.

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