When it comes to discovering the wonderful island of Madeira, there's no better starting point than Funchal, its capital city. In this blog post, we'll show you the top 10 things to do in Funchal, making it a great place to enjoy during your visit to Madeira.
TOP-10 Best Things to do in Funchal, Madeira
Watch our viral YouTube video bout best things to do in Funchal and get ready for your trip to Madeira Island!
Madeira Farmers Market: Mercado dos Lavradores
Begin your adventure at the Mercado dos Lavradores, a bustling market in the center of Funchal. Here, you can smell delicious food and try exotic fruits that you might have never seen before. You can also purchase some local souvenirs from Madeira here, but be aware, shopping here is a bit pricey. This is a tourist attraction, so you're here for the experience, not everyday shopping.
Madeira Wine Tour in Blandy's Wine
Madeira is famous for its wine, and the best place to try it is at Blandy's Wine Lodge, right in the center of Funchal. Here, you can sign up for a tour where you'll learn about the history of Madeira wine and winemaking. The tour ends with wine tasting, providing a perfect opportunity to try some of the best wines made on Madeira.
Madeira Cable Car: A Moving Panoramic Viewpoint
Take a ride on the Madeira Cable Car to get the best view over the city. The ride takes around 10 minutes. During this time you can admire incredible views of the city. There are often long lines forming in front the cable car station, but the waiting time isn't really so long. Remember to first buy the ticket and then go to wait in the line.
Monte Palace Gardens - A Green Oasis
The Monte Palace Gardens are like a green oasis in the mountains. You can walk around and see lots of different plants, big waterfalls, and some really cool art. And, the views from up here are really, really amazing. The Oriental Garden is definitely our favourite area there. You'll need at least 2 hours to fully explore the whole place.
Toboggan Ride
The Toboggan Ride is one of the most popular attractions on the island. Two drivers take you on a ride in traditional wicker basket sledges down the narrow streets of Funchal.
The downhill journey takes about 10 minutes on a total course of 2 km, reaching speeds of up to 48 km/hour at times. Adventurous yet safe, an ‘old-fashioned’ toboggan ride down from Monte is one of the most enjoyable attractions on the island.
Try Local Food
Don't forget to try Madeira's traditional food. You must taste dishes like espetada (meat on a stick), tuna steak, picado, or prego. Most of the restaurants offer these options on their menu, making it hard to miss.
Get Lost
Spend the afternoon getting lost among the streets of Funchal. Go for a walk in Funchal's old town called Zona Velha. Seeing all the colorful decorations, Portuguese tiles, painted doors, and cool street art feels like being taken back in time. Among the heritage, make sure to check out the old church - Se Cathedral at the main square, Sao Tiago Fort, and Rua Santa Maria – they're really special.
Funchal Promenade
End your day on Funchal promenade, sipping poncha or the typical Portuguese little coffee called Chinesa - a coffee with milk served in a larger teacup.
Try Poncha, Cheers!
Poncha is Madeira's traditional strong drink. We suggest you taste Poncha Pescador or Original to get the real Madeira flavour. Poncha is a fruity rum drink, made out of fresh fruit just in front of you.
Visit Funchal's Lookout Points
To see the best of Funchal, go to the lookout points. Pico Barcelos and Pináculo in our opinion are the best ones, and you'll get amazing views of the city and the sea. It's like looking at a beautiful painting.
Funchal - The City of Festivals
Funchal is also where you can enjoy exciting festivals. The most popular ones are the Madeira Carnival, Funchal Flower Festival, and the Madeira Wine Festival. These start in late winter and spring, and they fill the streets with music, color, and happiness. It's like a big party for everyone!
READ MORE: Madeira's Carnival 2023 with Photos
We show you everything in action, and it's like having a virtual tour guide with you.
Funchal really shows you the beauty of Madeira, making it a perfect place for nature, culture, and good food. So pack your bags, bring your excitement, and get ready to explore the heart of Madeira in Funchal! Your adventure awaits!
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Madeira is such an amazing place to visit, and we still can't believe we've been able to call it home for the past two years. During our stay, we explored all the best spots on the island and tried all the most exciting activities, many of them more than once! This helped us create these comprehensive guides that will help you plan your own trip to Madeira.
