15+ Incredible Things to Do in Funchal, Madeira

Located just off the coast of Northern Africa, Madeira is a Portuguese island paradise!

With breathtaking natural settings and vibrant colors, such as the crystal blue waters of Seixal or the lush green mountains of São Vicente, travelers from all over the world visit the inviting landscapes of Madeira, hoping to experience a little slice of paradise. My trip to Madeira in late August was unforgettable!

Madeira’s capital city, Funchal, is a great home base for your exploration around the beautiful island paradise.

Whether you’re a market addict, searching for local fruits and Madeira wine, a nature-lover hoping to hike to the best viewpoints in the city, or an off-the-beaten-path adventurer wanting to venture beyond the capital to magical forests and serene landscapes, Funchal is a great place to start your journey!

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Here’s my curated guide to the best things to do in Funchal!

15+ Incredible Things to Do in Funchal, the Capital of Madeira

1. Catch a Ride on the Funchal Cable Car

Imagine a whimsical gondola ride up the emerald green hills of Funchal…

The Funchal Cable Car will take you on a journey up these beautiful hills, to the top of Madeira! The gondola ride is the perfect way to get a view of the glowing orange roofs and the cerulean blue waters of the North Atlantic Ocean! At the top of the hill is a small neighborhood called Monte, the location of the island’s largest (and most beautiful!)  botanical garden, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden!

2. Explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Home to exotic plants from all over the world, Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a paradise within the island paradise of Madeira.

The tropical garden has over 100,000 species of plant life, and a few nonnative bird species including swans and flamingos. You could spend all day exploring the garden, it’s incredible!

3. Visit a Local Farmer’s Market

Madeira’s unique climate makes for perfect conditions for growing fruits and vegetables!

At Mercado dos Lavradores, there’s an abundance of local and exotic fruits. Additionally, you can watch as fishermen prepare their fresh catches for the market every morning! Be sure to haggle for a fair price! Because many tourists visit the farmer’s market, vendors will oftentimes raise the prices! Haggling is important. Additionally, small grocers in Funchal Old Town will oftentimes sell similar produce for a cheaper price!

4. Enjoy Pastéis de Nata

The one thing you NEED to try (besides Madeira wine!) when you visit the Portuguese island of Madeira is Pastéis de Nata, a delectable, flaky egg custard pastry!

When I first tried this Portuguese delicacy in Lisbon, I couldn’t stop thinking about how delicious it was. I loved it so much, I made it a mission to get one every morning for breakfast in Madeira! You can’t travel to Portugal without trying this incredible pastry!

5. Explore Funchal Old Town

“Zona Velha”. Funchal’s historic Old Town is full of charming characters, beautiful art, and delicious Portuguese restaurants! This is a great place to stay when you visit the archipelago’s capital city!

6. Embark on a Free Walking Tour to Learn about Funchal History

Before visiting the breathtaking island of Madeira, I spent some time exploring the hilly streets of Lisbon. One of the highlights of my time in Lisbon was learning about the city’s unique history via a free walking tour. I enjoyed the walking tour in Lisbon so much, I decided to book a similar walking tour of Funchal old town!

There are over 600 years of history woven into the lush green landscapes of Madeira. I highly recommend booking a guided tour of Funchal old town to learn about the complex history of Madeira!

NOTE: If you book a *free* walking tour, it is recommended to tip your guide €10 to €20 depending on how well you enjoy the tour. Despite the fact that these tours are “free”, tipping is highly encouraged!

7. Eat like a Local!

During our time in Madeira, we ate so much delicious Portuguese food!

However, if there’s one specific restaurant that you should visit when you travel to the island, it’s A Bica. Recommended by our tour guide, restaurant A Bica is a local favorite, serving traditional Portuguese dishes and fresh fish, for an affordable price! Don’t fall for the tourist traps, visit A Bica! 

8. Rent Snorkels and Swim in the Ocean

One of the main reasons we chose to splurge on a luxury stay at The Cliff Bay Hotel in Funchal was because the hotel offered private ocean access and snorkeling!

Because Funchal is a port city, there is limited access to beaches. One of the nearest beaches is Machico Beach, a short drive from Funchal. However, at our resort, we had the opportunity to snorkel among the rocky cove set beneath the cliff on which the hotel sits. Through our rented snorkels, we saw a plethora of fish and sea urchins! The water was cold, but swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean was an awesome adventure!

9. Afternoon Tea at Cliff Bay

If your Madeira itinerary allows for an afternoon of relaxation and ocean views, I highly recommend booking afternoon tea at The Cliff Bay Resort (or other resorts!). For part of my Madeira island adventure, I decided to splurge and stay in a luxury five-star resort on the cliffs of Funchal. The Cliff Bay is a beautiful hotel with seaside views and ocean access.

Afternoon Tea at The Cliff Bay Resort is a great way to relax and unwind after exploring Funchal old town. And at a reasonable €25/person, the Cliff Bay offers one of the best bang-for-your-buck luxury afternoon tea experiences in Funchal!

10. Madeira Wine Tasting

Shortly after its discovery in the early 1400s, Madeira was established as an agricultural oasis due to the fertility of the island’s rich volcanic soil. The Portuguese quickly began cultivating sugarcane, then known as “white gold”, which brought immense wealth and attracted settlers, traders, and even pirates. Over time, vineyards flourished as well, giving rise to the island’s world-renowned Madeira wine industry.

It was the process of exportation that matured the famous Madeira wines, giving rise to a new method of cultivating the fermented spirit. To prevent wines from spoiling on the long journey across the sea, neutral grape spirits were added to the barrels. Combined with the movement of the rocking waves and added heat from the long voyage, the wine ripened, creating the rich flavor Madeira wine is known for. 

Today Madeira wine is oxidized with heat to mimic the long journey of a voyage across the sea. 

Wine connoisseurs and history nerds will enjoy a local wine tasting in Madeira!

11. Funchal Toboggan Ride

What might appear to be a whimsical thrill ride in a giant wicker basket is, in fact, a fascinating piece of Madeira’s history. The Funchal Toboggan Ride, a must-do for tourists seeking a thrilling adventure, was originally created in the early 19th century as a practical mode of transportation from the hilltops of Monte to Funchal. 

Residents of the hilltop town of Monte used these carros de cesto (basket cars) to travel rapidly downhill to Funchal, the island’s capital. Pulled by gravity and steered by two skilled drivers known as carreiros, these toboggans glided down steep, narrow roads on wooden runners, making the five-kilometer descent in just about 10 minutes.

With incredible views of the Atlantic ocean and the orange rooftops of Funchal, a toboggan ride is a thrilling activity to add to your Madeira bucket list!

12. Explore Funchal Street Art

If the historic Portuguese architecture of Funchal wasn’t enough, there’s plenty of beautiful street art in Funchal! When I explored the historic old town of Funchal, every corner seemed to be decorated with beautiful street art. A Funchal street art scavenger hunt is one of the best things to do in Funchal, especially for families with kids!

13. Experience Local Events and Festivals

The list of island events on Madeira is as expansive as the vast emerald hills on the island. 

The most notable event is Madeira’s annual wine festival, which commemorates the bountiful vineyards that encouraged growth and prosperity on the island after its initial discovery in 1419. During the annual grape harvest, from the end of August to the middle of September, Madeira pays tribute to the wines that have given the island its global recognition. 

For the Madeira Wine Festival, the city sets up a series of cultural and musical events, dinners, and even a wine lounge! Several of the island’s vineyards hold wine tastings, tours, and events in celebration for the harvest. This premier event attracts wine connoisseurs from all over the world…and I just happened to get lucky when I unknowingly planned my Madeira island adventure during this time!

Other island events include:

• Madeira Flower Festival (May 1st – 25th, 2025)
• European Folklore Week (August 24th – 28th, 2025)
• Carnival (February 11th – 22nd, 2026)

14. Enjoy the Cerulean Sea by Boat

When I arrived on Madeira and I saw the gleaming sapphire water of the Atlantic Ocean, I thought to myself, put me on a boat ASAP ! 

With its rich maritime history and postcard-worthy coastline, Funchal, the island’s bustling capital and centuries-old port, felt like a scene from a sailor’s dream. This charming harbor town has served as the gateway to the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty, and it remains the perfect hub for ocean adventures.

Whether you’re craving a scenic catamaran sunset cruise, a dolphin-spotting expedition, or a romantic luxury sailing expedition, Funchal offers effortless coastal charm, sure to please any type of travelers (especially those who love the ocean!).

15. Hike the Famous Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Trail

With lush emerald mountains, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful views of the turquoise North Atlantic Ocean, Madeira has some of the most beautiful nature in the world!

The archipelago’s abundant natural beauty makes it the perfect place to hike and explore the stunning landscapes!

The most famous hike in all of Madeira is the hike from Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third tallest peak, to Pico Ruivo, the island’s tallest peak. This hike is not easy, but the views are breathtaking and incredible (it’s worth the difficult climb!). Hiking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is one of the best things to do in Madeira!

It takes approximately 4-5 hours to hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. You will traverse ~12km, and climb over 1000 meters. Because I didn’t rent a car during my time on the island, I booked transportation to and from the hike’s start and endpoint through Get Your Guide. 

My favorite part about booking transport to and from the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike was that our driver picked us up at a location near our hotel in Funchal! No rental car necessary.

Our driver dropped us off at Pico do Arieiro, and from there we hiked to Pico Ruivo. After the trek to Madeira’s tallest peak, Pico Ruivo, the driver picked us up and returned us to our hotel. Booking a ride through Get Your Guide was a seamless, stress-free experience that made the hike very enjoyable! We even brought some Portuguese tea cookies and snacks that we bought from a local market with us on our hike (highly recommended!).

16. Explore one of Madeira’s Famous Levada Walks

If you’re looking for less rigorous hiking, Madeira has several “walks” among waterfalls, and through the beautiful landscapes around the island. There are over 3000 kilometers of irrigation channels and aqueducts on the island called levadas, which make for beautiful scenic walks throughout the diverse nature. 

Some of the best levada walks are listed below:

• Levada do Barreiro (PR4, SOUTH): 5.2km, stunning views of Funchal!
• Levada dos Cedros (PR14, NORTH): 7.2km, starts in the enchanted forest (Fanal Forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site)!
• Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6, WEST): 4.3km, one of the most popular trails, known for its beautiful waterfalls!
• Levada do Furado (PR10, NORTH): 11km, one of the oldest levadas in Madeira!

Madeira Hiking Tips:

• Be prepared with necessary hiking gear, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of water! While many of Madeira’s levadas are beginner friendly, several peaks are DIFFICULT! It’s better to be over prepared than underprepared!
• Weather can be unpredictable! Check the forecast often!
• Leave no trace! Madeira is committed to preserving the natural landscapes. Leave the trails as beautiful as you found them!
• Carry maps for trails with no cell service!

17. Enjoy a 4X4 Adventure Tour

My favorite activity in Madeira was a guided 4X4 tour of Northwest Madeira – a journey through the “enchanted landscapes of the island” with Green Devil Safari.

This tour was an affordable, convenient way to see several of the island’s most picturesque towns, without the need to rent a car! On our 4X4 Jeep tour, we got to experience the following northwest villages:

18. See the Santana Houses and Visit Other Small Towns

Santana is known for the traditional Portuguese “Santana houses” with thatched straw roofs and vibrant colors! If you’re renting a car in Madeira or planning a road trip around the island, make sure to stop in Santana to view the picturesque Santana houses! If you want to see Santana houses in the capital city of Funchal, there are a few you can visit at Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

19. Try Poncha, a Traditional Madeiran Drink

No trip to Funchal is complete without sipping on Poncha, Madeira’s traditional drink made with sugarcane rum, honey, and fresh citrus juice. Originally a fisherman’s favorite, this punchy concoction packs a flavorful punch and is best enjoyed at a local bar! It’s more than a drink; it’s a taste of Madeira’s culture!

Enjoy Funchal and the island of Madeira! I can’t wait to go back and explore even more of the island paradise!

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