Things to do in Funchal: the old town, the market and the hills
Funchal is a small port city built on a steep slope above the Atlantic, with mild weather all year. The old town, the market and the seafront are walkable, and the gardens and mountain walks sit above it. The one thing to know: almost everything outside the center is uphill, so plan for buses, taxis and the cable car.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the old town and the Mercado dos Lavradores, ride the cable car to Monte, and book one levada walk or mountain tour.
- Where to stay
- The center or Zona Velha to walk everywhere, the hotel zone or Lido for pools and sea views, Monte for quiet and gardens.
- How many days
- Two days for the city, four or five if you want mountain walks and the coast.
- Best time to go
- Spring and autumn for walking, summer for swimming, and late December for the fireworks.
- Book ahead
- New Year's Eve rooms, whale-watching boats, and a guided mountain walk in high season.
- From the airport
- About 16 km east of the city: the Aerobus or a taxi, roughly 20 to 50 minutes depending on the option.
Where to stay in Funchal, in brief
Centre and Zona Velha
walking everywhere
The cathedral, the market, the old town streets and the cable car are all close, and the ground is mostly flat. The catch is evening noise on the old town's restaurant streets.
Hotel zone and Lido
pools and sea views
Large hotels on the cliffs west of the center, with sea-water pools and terraces. It is a bus or taxi ride into town, and the walk back is uphill.
Monte
gardens and quiet
A hill village above the city, reached by cable car or road. Cool, green and calm, but far from restaurants and a long way up from the sea.
Things to do in Funchal
Mercado dos Lavradores
The covered market, with fruit, flowers and a fish hall on the lower floor. Go in the morning, before the fish is gone and the tour groups arrive.
The old town and Rua de Santa Maria
Zona Velha is the oldest part of the city, with restaurants along Rua de Santa Maria and painted doors on the side streets. It is busiest at dinner, and the restaurant touts can be pushy.
Sé Cathedral
The 15th-century cathedral in the center, known for its carved wooden ceiling. Check opening times, as visiting hours around services are limited.
Funchal to Monte cable car
A cable car from the old town up to Monte, with views over the harbor and the red roofs. It climbs about 550 meters, so bring a layer for the cooler air.
Monte Palace and the Botanical Garden
Tropical gardens on the hillside above the city, with views back down to the sea. Allow half a day, and expect slopes and steps inside.
Levada walks
Walks beside the old irrigation channels run through forest and along cliffs. Some are flat and easy, others have drops and tunnels, so choose by your own comfort with heights and take a torch where it says so.
A few days ahead in high season for a guided walk
Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
The island's high peaks, above the clouds on a clear day. Weather changes fast, trails close after storms, and the main ridge path is steep, so check conditions and go with a guide if you are unsure.
A few days ahead for a guided tour
Whale and dolphin boat trips
Boats leave from the marina and the waters off Madeira are known for dolphins and some whales. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the sea can be rough.
A day or two ahead in summer
Madeira wine tasting
Wine lodges in the center offer tours and tastings of the fortified wine the island is known for. Book a tasting rather than a long tour if you are short of time.
Seafront walk and Lido pools
A promenade runs west along the coast to the Lido, where there are sea-water swimming pools. Funchal has no big sandy beach, and the pebbly shore is rocky underfoot.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Funchal can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Funchal, and which to pick- Rooms for New Year's Eve4 to 6 months ahead
The fireworks over the bay draw many visitors, and rooms with a view go first.
- A guided mountain or levada walkA few days ahead
Guides know which trails are open, and some walks are hard to reach without a car.
- Whale-watching boats1 to 2 days ahead
Small boats fill in summer, and trips are canceled when the sea is rough.
What to skip in Funchal
- Restaurants with touts on Rua de Santa Maria
Staff who stand on the street calling you in are a sign of a tourist menu. Walk the length of the street and choose by the menu and the crowd.
- Walking uphill in the midday heat
The climbs are steeper than the map suggests. Take a bus or taxi up, and walk down if you want the exercise.
- A day trip that tries to see the whole island
Madeira's roads are slow and the weather changes between coasts. Pick one part, such as the west or the north, and give it the day.
Best time to visit Funchal
Funchal is mild all year, with daytime temperatures of roughly 19 to 26 degrees. Spring and autumn are good for walking, and the gardens flower from April. July to September is warmest and best for swimming, but the hills feel steeper in the heat.
Winter is cooler and wetter, with more rain in the mountains and some trails closed after storms. The island puts on a large New Year's Eve fireworks show, and late December is among the busiest and dearest times to come.
- From Madeira airportThe airport, named after Cristiano Ronaldo, is about 16 km east of the city. The Aerobus runs to the center in about 30 to 50 minutes, and a taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- On footThe old town, the market, the cathedral and the marina are within 10 to 20 minutes of each other on mostly flat ground. Anything above the old town is uphill.
- BusesBuses serve the hotel zone, Monte and the nearby villages, and are slow on the hills. Check the last bus back before you go out for the evening.
- Taxis and the cable carTaxis are the easy answer to a steep street or a late return. The cable car to Monte is a sightseeing ride as much as transport.
Funchal in three days
- Day 1
Walk the old town and the cathedral, then go to the Mercado dos Lavradores. Have dinner in Zona Velha, away from the touts.
- Day 2
Take the cable car to Monte, visit the gardens, and ride or walk down. Finish with a Madeira wine tasting in the center.
- Day 3
Take a guided levada walk or a mountain tour, or a boat trip to look for dolphins.
Day trips from Funchal
- Câmara de Lobos and Cabo GirãoA fishing village and a high cliff viewpoint west of Funchal, reached by bus, taxi or a tour in about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Pico do Arieiro and Pico RuivoThe high mountains, about an hour by road. Go on a clear morning and check trail conditions first.
- Santana and the north coastGreen valleys, cliffs and old thatched houses, best done by car or on a full-day tour. Allow a long day.
Funchal: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Funchal?
Two days covers the old town, the market and the cable car. Four or five let you add levada walks, the mountains and a boat trip. Funchal itself is small, so the extra time goes on the island.
Is Funchal worth visiting?
Yes, if you like gardens, walking and mild weather more than beaches. The city is small and steep, and the best of Madeira is in the hills and on the coast around it.
Is Funchal hilly?
Very. The old town and the center are mostly flat, but the city climbs steeply from the sea. Plan to use buses, taxis or the cable car for anything uphill, and pack comfortable shoes.
What is the best time to visit Funchal?
Spring and autumn for walking, July to September for swimming, and late December for the New Year's Eve fireworks. Winter has more rain and cooler days.
Is there a tourist tax in Funchal?
Yes. As of October 2026, guests pay €2 per night for up to 7 nights, and children under 12 are exempt. The council approved a rise to €4 from January 2027, so check when you book.
What is there to do in Funchal on a Sunday?
The cable car, the gardens and the seafront walk all run. The Mercado dos Lavradores is closed on Sundays, so plan the market for another day.