Cidade Turismo
Portugal

Before you go

Your trip to Funchal.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Funchal – Madeira Capital

How to get there

  • Aeroporto da Madeira (FNC) Santa Cruz · 16 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Madeira Airport (FNC) is about 16 km from the center, served by buses and taxis. Confirm before booking.

How many days

Two days for Funchal and the Monte; two or three more for Cabo Girão, Pico do Arieiro, the levadas and a drive around the island.

When to go

All year. From April to October there is usually more sun. The Festa da Flor is in spring, and New Year's Eve features fireworks over the bay.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the center, no; the cable car goes up to the Monte. For the rest of the island, car, taxi or organized tours.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Funchal
  1. Morning
    Market and Sé

    Start at the Mercado dos Lavradores and walk to the Sé do Funchal.

  2. Afternoon
    Monte

    Take the cable car up to the Monte, visit the church and the Monte Palace and descend in basket sledges.

  3. Late afternoon
    Zona Velha

    Walk along Rua de Santa Maria and see the painted doors.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the Zona Velha

    Have espetada and bolo do caco in the Zona Velha.

2 days in Funchal

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Market and center

    Mercado dos Lavradores and Sé.

  2. Afternoon
    Monte

    Cable car, Monte Palace and basket sledges.

  3. Late afternoon
    Zona Velha

    Rua de Santa Maria and Forte de São Tiago.

  4. Evening
    Dinner

    Dinner in the Zona Velha.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Pico do Arieiro

    Go up early to Pico do Arieiro, before the clouds arrive.

  2. Afternoon
    Botanic Garden

    Visit the Jardim Botânico da Madeira on the way back to Funchal.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cabo Girão

    Head to Cabo Girão and its glass platform.

  4. Evening
    Câmara de Lobos

    Dine in Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village near the cape.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Funchal?

Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, the Sé, the Zona Velha and take the cable car up to the Monte.

What are the basket sledges?

Wicker baskets mounted on wooden runners, guided by two carreiros (drivers), that descend from the Monte along steep streets.

How to get from the airport to Funchal?

By bus, taxi or ride‑hailing app; it's about 16 km.

What to eat in Madeira?

Espetada (meat skewers on bay leaf sticks), bolo do caco with garlic butter, black scabbardfish and Madeira wine.

Back to Funchal
Back