TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN FUNCHAL
Funchal is the largest tourist, cultural and commercial center of the archipelago of Madeira. It dates back from 1508 and owes its name to a wild herb traditionally know as fennel (funcho), which existed in abundance at the time of its settlement. The city offers a wide range of leisure activities, from visits to museums, monuments and other landmarks, to walks in its beautiful gardens, walks along the Marina of Funchal full of boats, shopping and going out at night to bars and nightclubs.
- Walk around the main streets
- Try the tropical fruits in Mercado dos Lavradores
- Taste the Poncha, typical drink of Madeira, in the bar Venda Velha
- Take painted doors pictures in Rua de Santa Maria
- Get the Funchal Cable Car to enjoy the views
- See dolphins and whales with a boat excursion
- Try the speed with the typical Carros de Cesto
- Explore the curious Montepalace Tropical Garden
- Enjoy the tea time in Belmond´s Reid Palace
- Have a fancy dinner at Nini´s Design Centre
- Rent a Rolls Royce tour at Belmond´s Reid Palace
- Visit by the ferry the near island of Porto Santo
1 – Walk around the main streets
Discover Funchal by walking and lose yourself into the main and narrow streets.
2 – Try the tropical fruits in Mercado dos Lavradores
Must visit to discover all the products of the island, you can ask to the vendors to give a small try to the varied tropical fruits and then buy the ones you most like. Do you know all these fruits? Try them all to find your favorite!
3 – Taste the Poncha, typical drink of Madeira, in the bar Venda Velha
One of the best bars to try the Poncha. At night there is many people with music and nice ambience.
The yummy Poncha at Venda Velha – Video
4 – Take painted doors pictures in Rua de Santa Maria
The historical centre of the city of Funchal, better known as the “Zona Velha” (Old Town), presents the Painted Doors Project, a public art project which transforms this area into a permanent art gallery along Rua de Santa Maria.
5 – Get the Funchal Cable Car to enjoy the views
This cable car will bring you up to the hill to the area of Monte. Each cabin has a capacity of 7 passengers. On the ride up to Monte, you can enjoy the amazing view of Funchal bay and surrounding landscape. The price is 11 euros one way and 16 euros round trip.
6 – See dolphins and whales with a boat excursion
King of the Sea 🐬One of best experiences in my life…And best part was swimming and diving with the dolphins, immerse my head under water and listen to them whistling in the echo of the ocean…
Happy Dolphin Life!!🐬When swimming with them…I did immerse my head into the water…And dolphins were like 2 meters under me…Whistling between them…Seems like talking about something…Maybe about a FlyWithFlowDolphin?🚀🐬
From the boat is also possible and common to she the whales, it was amazing!
The view from the boat is very worth it!
Dolphins in Madeira – Video
7 – Try the speed with the typical Carros de Cesto
Down streets by wooden sledge!🚀Typical from Madeira, the «Carros de Cesto» also known as «Monte Sledges» is a very special form of transport and unique experience! The sledges are made of wicker and wood with two seats. Powered by two carreiros (drivers), wearing white uniforms and straw hats, they control the sledges by making use of their boots as brakes. This journey takes place between Monte and Funchal and is about 10 minutes with a distance of 2 km. The price per sledge is: one person 25 euros, two people 30 euros and three people 45 euros.
After climbing many stairs, the Church of our Lady of Monte.
Feel the Speed with Carros de Cesto – Video
8 – Explore the curious Montepalace Tropical Garden
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a tropical garden located in Monte with about 100.000 plant species from all over the world.
There is also two museums, one dedicated to minerals and another one to contemporary sculpture from Zimbabwe, as well as a Japanese style garden and much more. The price is around 12 euros.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden – Video
9 – Enjoy the tea time in Belmond´s Reid Palace
Fancy experience to enjoy the tea and some food which is served on a clifftop terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
10 – Have a fancy dinner at Nini´s Design Centre
One of the best restaurants of Funchal and one of the most elegants. There is also a design centre like a museum.
11 – Rent a Rolls Royce tour at Belmond´s Reid Palace
Classy Feelings 🎩Amazing to experience a ride in a Rolls Royce through the streets of Funchal, feeling like a princess looking for my dragon🐉
12 – Visit by the ferry the near island of Porto Santo
Porto Santo has mild climate all year around as well as spectacular natural landscapes. This Atlantic island boasts 9 km of beach with fine golden sand, ideal for sunbathing and swimming, also its sand have rare therapeutic properties.