9 Wonderful things to do in Funchal, Madeira

WHERE TO STAY IN FUNCHAL

Since Funchal is the capital of Madeira, the city has no shortage of excellent accommodation options that cater to all sorts of travellers, budgets and travel styles.

Whether you’re after a cheap sleep in a hostel, a luxurious boutique hotel with a rooftop pool, or an elegant seaside resort, there are plenty of excellent options to choose from.

To help you find your perfect stay, these are my suggestions on where to stay in Funchal:

1 | TAKE PART IN A TRADITIONAL TOBOGGAN RIDE

Who would have thought that sliding down the steep streets in a wooden sledge would become such a popular activity in Funchal, still the Toboggan ride in Monte managed to have done just that.

Made from timber and wicker, these traditional sledges have been transporting people from Monte to Funchal since as early as the 19th century, and luckily for us, this tradition is still very much alive today.

Driven by two carreiros; wearing traditional white uniforms and a straw hat, this iconic journey down is extremely fun and one of the many highlights for those travelling to Madeira.

But this might not be for the faint of heart, as sliding down the winding roads is a somewhat eerie experience, especially if you’re afraid of heights.

However, since these carreiros have been operating these sledges for many years, it’s completely safe, so there’s not much to worry about.

2 | SAMPLE A TOP-NOTCH BURGER AT DELI BURGER D’MAR

To me, there are only a few things more satisfying than stumbling upon a good burger joint after an active day of exploring.

So, when I passed Deli Burger D’Mar, I simply couldn’t resist stopping by.

With more than 15 unique combinations on the menu, plenty of thoughtfully selected toppings, and the option to create your own burger, this eatery is basically a burger lovers paradise, and definitely a must-try for anyone visiting Funchal.

I opted for the Cosmo burger; two beef patties stewed in onions, melted cheddar, pickles, crispy bacon plus big house sauce in a nicely toasted home-made bun, and was blown away by the rich and distinct flavours.

So, if you’re anything like me, and love a good burger from time to time, do yourself a favour and treat yourself to what I believe to be the best burger in Funchal.

3 | TAKE A STROLL AROUND MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES

One of my favourite ways to get a feel for a city and its people is by roaming around the local market in search of a delicacy or produce.

Nestled in the lively streets of the historic Santa Maria area is Mercado dos Lavradores, an average-sized covered market where you find plenty of market stores selling all sorts of local produce, including fruits, vegetables and fish to name but a few.

While all products found here are of tremendous quality, there was one section that particularly caught my attention, namely the exotic fruit section.

Though I’m entirely sure you stumble upon fruits you’ve never seen before, I’d highly advise not to sample every tempting looking piece of fruit – Mercado dos Lavradores is somewhat notorious in terms of prices.

If you have all sorts of fruit cravings after your visit to Mercado dos Lavradores (which makes sense), make sure you visit one of the street vendors instead, as they often offer the same fruits at a friendlier price.

Another thing worth noting is that Mercado dos Lavradores is closed during the weekends.

5 | TAKE A WALK THROUGH FUNCHAL OLD TOWN

Wandering through the streets of Funchal Old Town, was in many ways one of my favourite things to do in Funchal.

The old town is charmed by several 15th-century buildings, cobblestone streets, and picturesque time-worn houses and is deemed to be of significant historical and architectural value.

Some of my favourite landmarks in Funchal Old Town include:

Corpo Santo Chapel | This 15th-century Gothic-style chapel reflects remarkable workmanships and stands proud in the heart of Funchal Old Town.

Sao Tiago Fort | Initially built to protect the coast from pirates in the 16th century, the Sao Tiago Fort now houses a museum and a trendy restaurant with a lively terrace.

Painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria | The Painted Doors Project in Rua de Santa Maria are hard to miss and without question one of the best things to do in Funchal Old Town – more on that later.

6 | RELAX POOLSIDE AT VILA BALEIRA

If you’re anything like me and aim to get the most out of your trips, you may realize that there’s often not much time left to spend an afternoon relaxing at the pool.

However, when I had the pleasure to stay with Vila Baleira, I decided it was time to change this somewhat tiring habit. Of course, I still managed to make the most out of my trip – if not more.

During my time at Vila Baleira, I’ve spent several afternoons at their relaxing rooftop terrace with pool, often while enjoying a good book with a refreshing Poncha in hand.

While there’s plenty to see and do on the island, taking some time to chill after a day of explorations was essential and actually one of my favourite things to do in Funchal.

If you also want to recharge properly after your activities, Vila Baleira provides all the features to satisfy your needs, plus their minimal-style rooms are pretty awesome too.

8 | BEHOLD THE FUNCHAL CATHEDRAL

Situated smack-bang in the centre of Funchal is the enchanting Funchal Cathedral, locally also known as The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Sé.

Built in the distinctive Manueline and Gothic style, the Funchal Cathedral dates back as far as the 16th century and is one of few structures that survived the early colonization of Madeira.

What’s even more impressive, is that the cathedral was built with blocks made from volcanic rocks that came all the way from the cliffs of Cabo Girão, about 20 minutes West of Funchal.

Since early 1910, the Funchal Cathedral has become a National Monument, which also made it become the most important religious building on Madeira.

Today, this symbol of Portugal’s thriving ‘Age of Discovery’ remains a centrepiece in town, attracting the likes of hundreds of visitors every day.

9 | JOIN A DOLPHIN AND WHALE WATCHING TOUR

Given Madeira is located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, the island has become a popular island for those looking to see wild dolphins and whales.

Every day, lots of boats leave Funchal harbour in search of dolphins, whales and turtles, giving their visitors a chance to see Madeira’s rich and diverse marine life in their natural habitat.

Though it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll encounter these majestic creatures, it is pretty common to catch a glimpse of dolphins during your trip out at sea. Whales however are a different story, as they are much rarer to see and occur only at specific times of the year.

With a bit of luck though, you’ll see several species of whales, including Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales as well as more rare species such as the Sei Whale, Humpback Whale, and Minke Whale to name but a few.

Since a Dolphin and Whale watching tour has become one of the most popular things to do in Funchal, there are heaps of tour companies that venture out at the ocean.

For that reason, I believe it’s important to find a tour operator that is specialised in ethical tourism practices and nature conservation.

If you’re keen to join a tour, make sure you check out this 3-hour catamaran tour, as it is handled by a company that takes the preservation of Madeira’s ocean life serious.

WEATHER IN FUNCHAL | BEST TIME TO VISIT FUNCHAL

Given Madeira is situated just off the coast of Africa, the island enjoys a subtropical climate, meaning there’s comfortable weather year-round.

However, Funchal truly comes alive during the summer months of June, Juli and August, when the days are long, the weather warm and there’s barely any rainfall.

But to me, the best time to visit Funchal is during the shoulder months of May, September and October, when the weather is still warm, yet it’s far less busy in comparison to the peak summer months.

Also, winters are very mild, making Funchal a perfect destination for those after a winter getaway.

HOW TO GET TO FUNCHAL

PLANE | The Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport is located 30 minutes from Funchal and hosts both European and international flights, so you will probably looking to enter the country here.

For flights to Funchal, I would advise looking into Skyscanner. Not only is their website easy to use, but they offer a wide range of different airlines too – plus it’s easy to find good rates.

BUS | From the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, it is rather easy to get to the city centre of Funchal town by both public or private buses.

The Madeira Aerobus operates between the airport and Formosa beach, with several stops in the hotel zones of Madeira. A one-way journey will cost you €5,- per person and a return ticket comes at €8,- per person. For the latest time schedule see here.

If you’re after some extra comfort, opt for this air-conditioned private airport transfer instead. This option isn’t only more comfy, it’s also a great value for the money, especially if you’re travelling with a group. More information and availability here.

CAR | If you’re planning to cruise around the island – which you should, I would highly recommend picking up your rental right after you have landed on Madeira.

If you haven’t sorted out your rental car yet, make sure you explore the options at Rentalcars.com. Not only do they offer a broad selection of cars, but they provide excellent service and extra insurance options too.

From the airport, it takes only 30 minutes to get to Funchal, where you will find plenty of parking options.

One side note though, parking costs can run very high, so I recommend finding accommodation with private parking instead – scroll back to my accommodation suggestions to see some of the available options.

STAY SAFE ON MADEIRA | TRAVEL INSURANCE

Since travelling on Madeira is all about hiking and nature, I recommend everyone to sort out good travel insurance before setting out on their own adventure.

Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury during a hike, a stolen camera, or an accident on the road.

For travel insurance, I use Heymondo, as they offer full covid-19 coverage, as well as a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Make sure you check it out – readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy too. Additionally, I also recommend World Nomads.