The ocean sparkles in the morning sun as we take our first steps into the heart of Funchal. This city, nestled between mountains and sea, feels like a mosaic of colours, scents and stories. It’s a place where past and present go hand in hand. Today, we’re setting out to explore the vibrant Funchal!
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, was founded in 1424 by Portuguese explorers. It quickly grew into an important port. Thanks to its location in the Atlantic Ocean, Funchal played a major role in trade, especially in sugar and later wine. Today, Funchal offers a mix of heritage and modern flair. These are our highlights of Funchal:
Our walk begins in Zona Velha, the oldest district of Funchal. Here, the streets are narrow and the buildings weathered by time. Yet the atmosphere is anything but old-fashioned. Zona Velha is buzzing with life. Rua de Santa Maria is perhaps the most famous street in the district. Here we encounter a true spectacle of colour and creativity. Almost every door boasts a work of art. Some are modern and abstract, while others tell a story.
We take the time to admire the doors. Each time we are surprised anew. The reason for this cheerful creativity? A few years ago, the district had fallen into disrepair. Then the initiative arose to paint the doors. This gave Zona Velha a renewed start. Now the district is once again full of life. In the streets, we find cosy cafés, atmospheric restaurants and charming shops.
A short walk brings us to the Sé Cathedral. This is one of the oldest buildings in Madeira. It was built around 1514. As soon as we enter the cathedral, we feel the tranquillity that this place exudes. The wooden ceilings immediately catch our attention. They are made of local dragon’s blood wood. The wood has a warm, dark appearance. It contrasts beautifully with the rest of the lavish interior.
As we walk along the altar and side chapels, we see artworks and relics that reflect the island’s history. At the time of our visit, just before Christmas, the church is beautifully decorated. Everyone marvels at the large nativity scene with artistic figures and many poinsettias. Wonderful to see!
The cable car ride to Monte is an adventure in itself. We slowly float upwards. Meanwhile, we get an increasingly better view of the city, the harbour and the sea. Once at the top, we arrive at the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, a place that feels almost fairy-tale-like.
The garden seems to embrace us with its lush greenery. We follow paths that lead us past waterfalls, ponds and thousands of exotic plants. In the ponds, we see beautiful fish, and flamingos balance on one leg. The colourful display of flowers is overwhelming. From orchids to camellias, every plant seems to be in the perfect place.
But Monte Palace is more than just a garden. We also discover an impressive collection of statues and artworks, ranging from African sculptures to Portuguese tiles. We learn a lot about the history of Portugal in the garden. A series of 40 panels tells the story of the country through the centuries.
In addition, the garden has a special museum. On the ground floor, we admire an impressive collection of minerals. The two other floors are mainly furnished with modern art. From the elevated museum, the view of the garden is spectacular.
From the botanical garden of Funchal, we walk up to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte. The church is the spiritual heart of the Monte district. Upon arrival at the foot of the imposing staircase to the church, we take a moment. As we admire the whitewashed façade and elegant double towers, we turn around. A breathtaking view of Funchal Bay greets us.
Inside the church from 1748, a surprisingly understated but atmospheric interior awaits. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte is dedicated to Mary, the patron saint of Madeira. Her statue stands prominently behind the altar, a place of devotion for many. The church is also the final resting place of the last Emperor of Austria, Charles I. He lived here in exile and died on Madeira.
Tip: On 15 August, there are special festivities in and around the church to celebrate the Assumption of Mary. A unique experience to witness in Funchal.
From Monte, we don’t choose the cable car to go back down. We want to experience one of the most famous tourist attractions of the district. That’s why we opt for a ride with the toboggan. The idea sounds a bit strange at first: the toboggan is a wicker sled steered by two men. But as soon as we sit down, we immediately feel the charm of this traditional way of travelling.
The sled glides smoothly over the asphalt, while the men in white suits and straw hats steer the sled. It goes fast, but never too fast. Along the way, we enjoy the view. The men have to work hard to skilfully guide us through the winding streets. It’s no wonder the soles of their shoes wear out incredibly quickly. At every intersection, there’s a traffic controller to ensure that regular traffic lets us pass safely. At the bottom, we thank our drivers for the ride. We may have experienced a very touristy excursion, but it was fun to experience.
In the heart of Funchal, we find the Mercado dos Lavradores, the famous market hall where the colours and scents almost overwhelm us. The first thing that catches our eye are the flower sellers. They are all wearing their traditional outfits. When I ask an old saleswoman if I can take a photo of her, she refuses. Our guide explains it to her in Portuguese, and suddenly she’s full of pride. She grabs her bunch of keys, opens a drawer and takes out a gold medal. She recently received it as a reward for years of service in the market hall.
Further on are the fruit stalls. We taste exotic fruit that we’ve never seen before. A seller offers us a piece of dragon fruit and tells us about the fruits that grow on the island. We move on to the fish section, where freshly caught fish are glistening. It’s a spectacle to see how the fishmongers fillet and promote their wares. The market is a real melting pot of colours, sounds and flavours.
Tip: Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores early on Friday or Saturday morning. Then the market is even more colourful and spectacular with more traders. The local population also does their shopping there then.
No visit to Madeira is complete without a stop at Blandy’s Wine Lodge. Here we learn all about the famous Madeira wine. As we walk through the centuries-old cellars, we see wooden barrels that are often decades old. The scent of maturing wine fills the air.
During the tasting, we discover the different styles of Madeira wine. Each glass has its own unique character. Our guide explains how the wine was already popular with European royal courts centuries ago. Of course, we buy a bottle of Madeira to take home. We don’t have to take it with us now. We can pick up the bottle at a tax-free shop at the airport when we fly back. That’s convenient!
From refined wine, we move on to a real local favourite: poncha. In a local café cum grocer’s, we see how the bartender uses a wooden pestle to mix honey, lemon and aguardente (rum). The smell is immediately enticing. We take a sip and are surprised by the powerful yet fresh taste. As we sip our glasses, we get into conversation with a few visitors. They tell us that poncha is the best medicine against colds.
At the front of the shop, it’s bustling at the grocer’s. The women are shopping for the special Christmas cake. Every family has its own recipe for this ‘Bolo de Mel’. The ladies are neatly waiting their turn with their shopping list full of ingredients. The queue stretches far outside the shop. Meanwhile, the ladies chat away the time.
The Igreja do Colégio is perhaps one of the most impressive places we see today. From the outside, it looks like a fairly simple church, but as soon as we step inside, we’re surrounded by an explosion of gold and colours. The ceilings are decorated with paintings depicting stories from the Bible, while the altar shines in all its splendour. What makes this church special is the combination of Portuguese and local influences. Every detail seems to have been made with love and craftsmanship.
For us, the ideal way to explore Funchal is through a Food & Wine Tour. Our guide takes us to hidden gems in the city, where we enjoy local dishes. We taste all kinds of delicious snacks. From chocolates to cookies, delicious fruit and other local specialities. Of course, we drink poncha somewhere and sip a delicious glass of Madeira.
Every bite tells a story. The passion of the cooks, the local ingredients and the unique mix of Portuguese and island influences make this a delightful culinary journey. On the way from one taste sensation to another, the guide tells numerous interesting facts about the city.
A boat trip on the ocean is certainly not to be missed when visiting Funchal. It’s the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Unfortunately, our planned sea safari fell through: the stormy wind made it impossible to set sail. We would have loved to experience this. The chance of seeing dolphins is enormous. Regularly, a group of dolphins appears and plays around the boat. Even more impressive is when a whale comes into view.
Funchal buzzes with festivals all year round. The city knows how to party, and you notice that immediately. One of the highlights is the Flower Festival in spring. The streets fill with colourful flower parades, dancers and impressive floral artworks.
In December, Funchal is transformed into a magical Christmas paradise. Everywhere sparkling lights, festive decorations and there’s a cosy Christmas market. Don’t miss the nativity scene in the Sé Cathedral, as well as the spectacular fireworks on New Year’s Eve. That fireworks display is even considered one of the most beautiful in the world!
But there’s more. Think of the Carnival. Or the Wine Festival in September, where you can taste Madeiran wines and see traditional dances. Each festival brings a different atmosphere, but they all let you feel the warmth and hospitality of Funchal. Celebrating is clearly in the blood here!
Funchal has a diverse range of museums. Start, for example, at the Madeira Story Centre, an interactive dive into the island’s past. For art lovers, there’s the Museum of Modern Art ‘MAMMA‘ with an impressive collection of Portuguese art. The CR7 Museum, dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, also attracts many visitors. Born in Funchal, the footballer is an icon for the island. Furthermore, you can enjoy a collection of religious art in the Sacred Art Museum. Or visit the Museu Quinta das Cruzes, a beautiful manor house with an extensive collection of antiques.
After a few days of exploration in Funchal, it’s clear to us: every season is ideal to visit Funchal. Funchal is a city where you can easily entertain yourself for a few days. And it’s also an excellent base to explore the rest of Madeira. We hope to come back soon to experience one of the festivals!
Funchal is the capital of Madeira. This Portuguese island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco.
You reach Funchal via the international airport Cristiano Ronaldo, with direct flights from various European cities. From the airport, it's about half an hour to Funchal. If you want to explore the island further, a rental car is ideal.
Funchal is a lively city with various highlights. Colourful markets, historic buildings, beautiful churches, lovely gardens and a cosy centre create a special atmosphere in Funchal. In addition, there's a special festival in the city every month.
You certainly shouldn't miss the Monte Palace botanical garden when visiting Funchal. The cable car journey there offers beautiful views. In addition, Funchal has three beautiful churches: Sé Cathedral, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte and Igreja do Colégio. The old district Zona Velha is famous for its beautifully painted doors and cosy cafés. With a food & wine tour, you can taste the famous Madeira wine, poncha and other local specialities. Also, be sure to visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, the covered market. Finally, a boat trip to spot dolphins and whales should not be missed.
If you want to explore all the sights of Funchal at your leisure, you can easily spend two to three days in the city. In addition, Funchal is an excellent base to explore the rest of Madeira.
Funchal is a fantastic destination all year round thanks to its mild, subtropical climate. Temperatures usually vary between 16 and 25 degrees, making it never too cold or too hot. December is also a beautiful period, thanks to the festive Christmas lights and the spectacular fireworks during New Year's Eve in Funchal.
We can certainly recommend these restaurants:
These accommodations are highly rated by guests:
We visited Funchal at the invitation of Interface Tourism Group and Madeira Promotion Bureau. We have independently and objectively compiled the content of the blog based on our own impressions.
Book special tours with our partner GetYourGuide here. We earn a modest commission for your booking at no additional cost to you. The commission helps us maintain this travel blog.