We have listed in this article the top 10 things to do in Funchal during your stay!
Funchal, the largest city on Madeira Island is an unmissable stop for the visitor.
Funchal is located in the south of Madeira Island and is a small city with a population of barely 100,000 people, but with 40% of the island’s population.
Funchal takes its name from the fennel plant -Funcho in Portuguese- that grew abundantly in the area when it was discovered.
With its warm atmosphere, atypical flora and privileged location by the sea, Funchal never disappoints.
This beautiful city surrounded by hills has a tropical climate with mild temperatures and constant humidity, which offers exotic landscapes.
You will see small white houses on the hillsides, colorful plants and flowers, and cobblestone floors!
Read also our other articles about Madeira:
- Madeira Island Hikes: 7 Best Hikes for All Levels
- Madeira Beaches: The 11 Most Beautiful Beaches of the Island
10 things to do in Funchal – Top highlights and activities
You can wander through the alleys of the center and let your intuition lead you to discover Funchal, as the city lends itself well to that.
With short breaks at the cafes or on the benches, in the company of locals, and visits to some of the major churches, you will discover a city that oscillates between a secular calm and a southern liveliness, which you will certainly notice in the markets.
To make the most of your stay in Funchal, we recommend you not to miss the following things to do in Funchal.
Praça municipo – City Hall Square
It is the central point of Funchal. The square is characterized by its mosaic floor made of gray balsam and white marble and by its central fountain.
Here you will find the College Church, built in the 17th century in the purest Baroque style.
The abundant decoration of the building with its azuelos, marbled and gilded altars are unique.
Next to the Church is the Town Hall. The building is distinguished by its portal and the noble floor with eleven windows.
Enter to admire the azuelos of the interior courtyard as well as the central fountain representing Zeus who came to visit Leda, then transformed into a swan.
It is a harmonious example of late 18th-century architecture.
Inside, there is a huge courtyard covered with tiles and a garden, as well as a fountain decorated with a marble statue.
The fort of São Lourenço
The fort built to defend the city against pirate attacks later became the residence of the civil and military governors of Madeira.
It is considered one of the best-preserved fortresses in Portugal.
In front of the marina is this imposing white palace with green shutters.
The building served as a home for the captains but also as a fortress to protect Funchal from pirates.
In 1836, with the separation of civil and military powers, the palace was divided into two distinct areas:
- The E wing was the headquarters of the commander of the military zone of Madeira.
- The O wing was the official residence of the representative of the Portuguese Republic in the archipelago.
Today, the place houses a collection of interior furniture and a military museum to visit.
The cathedral of Sé
Visiting the cathedral of Sé is one of the things to do when you’re in Funchal.
The cathedral, with its whitewashed roof and volcanic stone portal, may seem simple, but in the 15th century, it was a real achievement!
Its construction was completed at the end of the 15th century.
Inside you can see a magnificent ceiling covered with paintings of Hispanic-Arabic and Romanesque-Gothic influence.
The portal and the cross, considered a masterpiece of Portuguese goldsmithing, were donated by D. Manuel I.
It was the first Portuguese cathedral overseas and its interior is characterized by its richly decorated chapels, especially the one of the Blessed Sacrament, and by its carved wooden frame in the purest Mudejar style!
The Jardim Tropical Monte Palace
Located in the heights of the city, this exceptional garden is the property of a businessman among the rockiest of the country – José Berardo – who in addition to appreciating botany is an amateur of Asian culture.
Part of his collection can be seen in the Cultural Center of Belem.
The park is immense – 70 hectares, which is full of plant species from all over the world, and which have no trouble thriving in the Madeiran climate.
With waterfalls, sculptures, an admirable Asian part, and even a museum, this visit is definitely worth it
Santa Maria Street
Once back in the base part of the city, you will certainly enjoy getting lost in the historical center of Funchal.
In some areas, time seems to have stood still, while in others there is a modern feel with walls covered with beautiful graffiti.
In Santa Maria street, the doors are covered with colorful works of art that will delight street art lovers.
A few steps away, the walk on the seaside is also very pleasant.
The Lavradores Market
If you want to immerse yourself in the local life of Funchal, nothing beats visiting the Mercado dos Lavradores.
When you enter this market, which has been open since 1940, you feel an atmosphere full of life and color.
You can find typical products, all kinds of fruits, and the most emblematic flowers on the island.
Beautiful panels of azulejos decorate the main door, the façade, and the fish market.
The traditional fish of the island like the black scabbardfish and the tuna are displayed on huge granite counters.
You won’t be the only visitor wandering through its colorful aisles, and the solicitations of the vendors can be a bit too much, but that’s part of the local charm.
You will come across many exotic fruits, huge swordfish in the fish section, and flowers in a mess.
Our advice, avoid the lower stalls, too touristy, to climb to the upper floors and enjoy more reasonable prices.
Church of Our Lady of the Mount
Beware the church is uphill and it is the symbol of the small town of Monte.
Rebuilt in 1748, it is the site of an important pilgrimage every year on August 15.
On this date, the town is adorned with thousands of flowers to welcome an impressive number of pilgrims who come to pray or climb on their knees the 68 steps that lead to its entrance.
It is also famous for the presence of the tomb of Charles of Habsburg, the last emperor of Austria.
The church, all in finesse and sobriety, is a haven of peace and meditation.
Santa Clara Convent
The church of Santa Clara (15th century) belongs to the convent of the same name.
Its interior walls are covered with tiles from the 17th century when it was rebuilt.
Try Madeira dishes
Madeira’s gastronomy is particularly interesting such as the onion and tomato soup or the delicious swordfish filet with banana.
Try, the bolo de caco, a sweet potato bread that you will find everywhere!
Finally, Madeira wine is famous and if you manage to find a restaurant that serves the owner’s homemade wine, you will enjoy it.
The beautiful parks
In Funchal, there are many parks where you can take a break and cool off.
To the west is the Santa Catarina Park and the Municipal Garden and to the east is the Almirante Reis Garden.
To note, a small park Rua 31 de Janeiro is located on the former site of a factory. The developers have kept the chimney and some hydraulic elements.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Due to its tropical climate, you can visit Funchal all year round, as its winters are mild and clement.
However, we recommend spring if you like to go hiking and see the local flora in all its splendor.
At the end of April – beginning of May, the Funchal Flower Festival is held – with its colorful parades and numerous events, which alone can justify a trip at this time.
How long should I stay in Funchal?
The visits and activities in Funchal will keep you busy for 3 days without any worries, and even more if you want to take the time to stroll around.
In 3 days you will see all the main activities, and you will start to get the feel of the city.
If you spend a full week or more in Madeira, using Funchal as a starting point for your excursions is a good idea.
This way you can return to the city in the evening and discover its very peaceful nightlife.
How to reach the Funchal city?
To get to Funchal, the easiest way is to come by plane.
Flights to the city leave from the main European cities, and you can easily combine the visit to Lisbon with the visit to Funchal, by taking a flight from the Portuguese capital.
Be aware that Funchal Airport is known as one of the most dangerous in the world.
Don’t panic, this concerns the difficulties encountered when landing because of the winds and it is true that it can be a bit bumpy.
However, nothing that can discourage you from coming!
You can also reach Funchal by boat – it’s long but why not take advantage of a cruise to do it? – but the plane is obviously much more convenient.
Getting around Funchal
The best way to get around Funchal and its surroundings is by car.
Within the city, you will walk, but any excursion will require a vehicle, and renting a car in Madeira is recommended to fully enjoy your stay.
The driving is not especially complicated, but you should be careful on some winding roads and wet roads in places.
With a rental car, you will be free to explore the whole island, without being dependent on buses or organized tours which are sometimes very expensive.
To get around the city and its surroundings you can use the bus company “Horarios do Funchal”, an orange bus with a white stripe.
To take the bus you need a Giro, a magnetic card that costs 0.50 euros and allows you to load a certain number of trips (same principle as in Lisbon).
The trip costs 1.35 euros and if you take more than 10 trips, the trip costs 1.25 euros.
There is also a Giro for 1 day (4.60 euros), 3 days (11.80 euros), 5 days (16.20 euros), and 7 days (21.85 euros).
You can buy this card on a bus or in a kiosk.
Top activities from Funchal
From Funchal, you can practice all kinds of nature activities.
To take full advantage of the landscapes and fauna of the island you can test canyoning and spend a day at sea in search of dolphins.
Here is a small selection of the activities proposed by most of the agencies that you can practice on the island:
- Day trip by boat (from 20 to 80 euros/pers): it is the main attraction of the island. There are several options from the port of Funchal: a day trip to the Deserted Islands (this is what we tried), a 3 hour trip to watch dolphins or 2 or 3 hour trips off the coast to Camara de lobos or to the tip of St. Laurent.
- Canyoning (about 60 euros/pers): the island is famous for its numerous canyoning spots. We tested this very physical activity especially if you have vertigo! Take advantage of your stay on the island to discover this sport in a magical setting!
- Observation of the fauna and flora (about 35 euros/pers): itineraries to discover the richness of the island accompanied by real specialists.
- Bike tour (from 40 to 60 euros/pers): to conquer Madeira’s forest trails!
- Hiking in solo or in group (about 35 euros/pers): for those who want to practice hiking while getting information about the environmental richness of the island.
- Kayak trip (about 35 euros/pers.): a day trip in a group accompanied by an instructor. Most of the agencies propose an outing in the natural reserve of the Pointe de St Laurent.
