Say Olá to Funchal: Exciting Things To Do in This Tropical Garden City
Wedged between the blue Atlantic and green volcanic mountains, sunny Funchal is a dream destination.
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With its eternal spring climate and lush gardens, Madeira’s capital offers a city break unlike anywhere else. Soak up the natural beauty in Funchal’s botanic gardens, or spend lazy days wandering through the OId Town, where you can dine in local restaurants and browse the stalls in the farmers’ market. Our travel experts at Plum Guide know the city inside out, and can even recommend the best wine to try (1893 Cossart Gordon Malmsey Vintage). To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve collated the very best things to do in Funchal in our guide below.
Explore the Old Town
Historic buildings in the streets of Funchal, Madeira
One of the best places to start your Funchal explorations is the Old Town. Let yourself get happily lost amongst the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets. This historic district has maintained its traditional Madeiran character, with many of the buildings dating back to the 15th century. One of the most important ones to visit is the Sé Cathedral, with its whitewashed exterior and gilded altarpiece. Popular with both worshippers and tourists, this stunning building is a must-visit for lovers of fine architecture. From here, take a ten-minute walk to the Santa Clara Convent to admire its beautiful glazed tiles and Gothic tomb. While you’re in the Old Town, be sure to visit Rua do Aljube, Rua da Carreira and Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas for a spot of shopping and alfresco dining.
Blue Altitude
Admire the art on Rua da Santa Maria
Street art on a building as part of The Art of Open Doors project in Santa Maria, Funchal
Also in the Old Town is Rua de Santa Maria, one of Funchal's oldest and most colourful streets. This pedestrianised lane is famous for its painted doors which is part of the Arte de Portas Abertas (or 'Art of Open Doors') project, a street-art initiative which came about as an effort to revamp sections of the Old Town following the tropical storm in 2010. There are over 200 works of art by local artists, most of which are found on Rua de Santa Maria. On each door is a unique design and theme, covering everything from local flora and fauna to historical events and landmarks. While you're here, pop into the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of the Conception with its striking bell tower and lavish Baroque interiors. The street is close to the Mercado dos Lavradores where you can pick up some lunch.
Palm Trees & Sparkling Seas, Plum Guide home in Madeira, Portugal
Shop at Mercado dos Lavradores
Colourful fruit & veg stalls with shoppers at the Mercado dos Lavradores farmers' market, Funchal
One of the most popular attractions in the Old Town is the Mercado dos Lavradores, or the local farmers market. Located in the Santa Maria area, the market is the best place to soak up the bustling atmosphere and sample the island’s best produce. The market building dates back to the 1930s and is a blend of Art Deco and Modernism. Six days a week you’ll find vendors selling an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, fish and meat, as well as traditional Madeiran crafts like leather and wicker goods, which make for unique souvenirs. One of the most interesting aspects of the market is that local tradition is still upheld here, and you’ll notice many of the women wearing bright and colourful Madeiran costumes.
Harbour the Sun, Plum Guide home in Madeira, Portugal
Stroll along Funchal’s waterfront
If you’re in need of a more relaxing activity, wander down to Funchal’s waterfront. Avenida do Mar is the main promenade, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars where you can grab a drink and enjoy the wonderful sea views. If you’re travelling with the family, this is a great place to bring the kids as they can run around and play amongst the sculptures, fountains and grassy areas along the way. If you happen to be visiting during the Flower Festival (held at the end of April), you’ll get to see huge floral displays, exhibitions and groups of dancers performing here.
Take the Monte Cable Car to Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Monte palace tropical gardens with view of Funchal town, Madeira
One of the most popular things to do in Funchal is to ride on the cable car up to the neighbourhood of Monte. The ride takes around twenty minutes, giving you plenty of time to admire the breathtaking views of the city and coastline. Just beside the cable car station is the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, a truly magical haven of over 100,000 plant species. Decorated with gorgeous 15th and 16th-century azulejos depicting scenes of important historical events, the winding paths lead you through tropical plants and vibrant flowers, with plenty of benches where you can sit back and gaze at waterfalls and ponds filled with colourful koi fish. Also found within the gardens are the Museum of Contemporary African Sculptures and the Secrets of Mother Nature Mineral Museum, the latter showcasing over 300 precious and semi-precious stones.
Island Dreaming, Plum Guide home in Madeira, Portugal
Soak up nature at Madeira Botanical Garden
For more nature, take a second cable car from Monte through the João Gomes Stream Valley up to the Madeira Botanical Garden. Set into the hillside above Funchal, you can imagine how special the views from up here are. The garden boasts over 2,000 plants from around the world, spread out across themed sections. Some highlights include the Succulent Garden, with its collection of cacti and succulent plants, and the Orchid Garden, which features some of the most beautiful orchids of all colours and sizes. Within the garden is the small Natural History Museum, where you can see collections of birds, fossils, rocks, minerals, invertebrates and other vertebrates. The Louro Bird Park is also located here, where rare birds from around the world show off their brilliant colours.
Wonder at Igreja Do Monte
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte church in Funchal, Madeira
While you’re in Monte, it’s worth swinging by Igreja do Monte. Built on the site of a 15th-century hermitage, this 18th-century church is one of the most famous religious landmarks in Madeira. It’s a stunning example of Baroque architecture, with its white and grey facade and symmetrical bell towers. The interior is equally stunning, with elaborate decorations and a magnificent altar. Its pipe organ was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest in the whole of Portugal. With over 3,500 pipes, it’s renowned for its melodic sounds. If you’re visiting in August, don’t miss the church’s annual festival celebrating the Lady of Monte, the patron saint of Funchal. Follow the procession, where a statue of the Lady is carried through the streets, concluding with a spectacular fireworks display.
Enjoy a thrilling wicker toboggan ride
Need to get back to Funchal? Sure, you can take the cable car back down. But a better way of doing it is via a wicker toboggan ride. This is an old Madeiran tradition – local residents would scoot down the hillside to get to the main town quickly. Today, it’s become a unique tourist attraction that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Once you’ve climbed into a wicker sled, men dressed in traditional white outfits will push and steer you 2 kilometres downhill to the Carro de Cesto road. It’s a high-speed, hair-raising ride but completely worth it for the one-of-a-kind experience.
Catch the views from Pico do Arieiro
The Pico do Arieiro peak in Madeira island, Portugal
If you’re searching for an easy day trip from Funchal, we highly recommend Pico do Arieiro. At 1,818 metres above sea level, this is Madeira’s third-highest peak. If you have a car, take the scenic drive along the road that winds up through the mountains for breathtaking views of the island’s terrain. Alternatively, take a cable car ride to the nearby Pico das Torres viewpoint for incredible photo opportunities. For those keen to get active, the mountain provides fantastic hikes. Many trails start at Pico do Arieiro, including the hike to Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs, lush valleys and verdant forests, the views are worth the challenge. Looking for something a little different? Grab a warm layer and visit at night, as the peak is one of the best spots for stargazing.
Sip on Madeira's wine
Oenophiles looking for things to do in Funchal shouldn’t miss out on sampling the island’s famous sweet wine. Made from grapes growing in vineyards spread out across the slopes of Madeira’s volcanic mountains, the wine undergoes a unique production process which involves heating and oxidising the wine to give it a distinctive nutty, caramelised flavour, allowing it to age for decades. There are plenty of wine cellars to visit in Funchal, but we recommend Blandy’s Wine Lodge. Dating back to the 17th century, this is one of Madeira’s oldest wine cellars, where you can learn about the winemaking process and taste the various bottles. Each year during the harvest season, Blandy’s Wine Festival offers educational and entertaining activities all related to vinho.
