Funchal Cruise Port: A Day in Madeira from the Ship

Funchal is one of the most beautiful ports in the Atlantic, with the city climbing steep green hills straight up from the harbour. Ships dock within walking distance of the centre, and there’s plenty to fill a day ashore. Here’s how to spend a day in Funchal from your cruise ship.

Quick answer: ships dock at Funchal’s harbour, a walk of about 10 to 20 minutes along the seafront to the centre. Ride the cable car to Monte and come down on the famous wicker toboggans, visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, wander the painted doors of the Old Town and taste Madeira wine. Or book a tour to the cliffs and levadas. See Funchal shore excursions.

Getting into town

Walk along the waterfront promenade to the marina and the centre. Taxis wait at the pier, and some lines run a shuttle.

A day in Funchal

1. Mercado dos Lavradores: the colourful market with exotic fruit, flowers and fish.
2. The Old Town (Zona Velha): Rua de Santa Maria and its painted doors.
3. Cable car to Monte: from the Old Town seafront up to Monte, with its church and tropical gardens.
4. The toboggan ride: slide back down in a wicker basket sled steered by two men in straw hats.
5. Madeira wine: a tasting at a historic wine lodge in the centre. See Blandy’s Wine Lodge.
6. The cathedral and the gardens along the seafront.

For more, see things to do in Funchal.

Beyond Funchal

• Cabo Girão: one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, with a glass skywalk, a short drive west.
• A levada walk: easy channel walks in the hills. Trails now need booking. See Madeira levada walks.
• Pico do Arieiro: mountain views above the clouds on a clear day.
• Whale and dolphin watching from Funchal marina. See trips.

An island tour with a guide is the easiest way to fit these in. See Funchal tours.

Tips

• Hills: Funchal is steep; use the cable car and taxis.
• Weather: mild all year, but cooler and cloudier in the mountains.
• Allow time to return: mountain roads can be slow.

More: the Madeira itinerary and Lisbon’s cruise port.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars). If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.