Things to Do in Funchal, Madeira (2026 Prices)

Funchal, Madeira’s sunny capital, climbs up a natural amphitheatre from the Atlantic, with gardens bursting with flowers, a colourful market, painted doors in the old town and a famous wicker toboggan ride down the hill. Here are the best things to do in Funchal, with 2026 prices.

Quick answer: take the cable car to Monte (€16 one way), see the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (€18), ride the toboggan down (€30 for one, €40 for two, cash only), browse the Mercado dos Lavradores, wander the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria and taste Madeira wine at Blandy’s. Add the Cabo Girão skywalk (€5) and Câmara de Lobos nearby.

Monte

The cable car

Fly over the rooftops from the seafront up to Monte in about 15 minutes, with amazing views. €16 one way or €22 return; half price for ages 7–14, free for under-7s.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Terraced gardens full of exotic plants, koi ponds, Asian pagodas, azulejo panels and a mineral collection. €18, free for under-14s with an adult. Allow 2 hours.

The Monte toboggan

Funchal’s most famous ride: sit in a wicker basket sled while two carreiros in white with rubber-soled boots steer you down the steep streets. Since May 2026 it costs €30 for one person, €40 for two or €60 for three, cash only, Monday to Saturday. It ends partway down the hill at Livramento, so take a taxi or bus onward.

Also at Monte: the Nossa Senhora do Monte church, with views over the city.

In the city

Mercado dos Lavradores

The busy market hall with exotic fruit (try the passion fruit varieties and the “monstera” fruit), flowers and a fish market full of black scabbardfish. Go in the morning, and be aware that some fruit sellers charge tourist prices for tastings.

Zona Velha and Rua de Santa Maria

The old town’s doors are painted with colourful artworks, part of a project to bring the area back to life. Lots of restaurants and bars too.

Blandy’s Wine Lodge

Learn about Madeira wine in historic lodges in the centre, with tours from about €10.50 and tastings of vintages. See wine tours.

The cathedral and the seafront

The Sé has a beautiful carved wooden ceiling. Then stroll the marina promenade and the gardens of Santa Catarina park.

CR7 Museum

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal. Fans can see his trophies at the museum by the marina (about €5), next to his statue.

Botanical Garden

Formal gardens and the famous patterned flower beds, with great views. Reach it by a second cable car from Monte or by bus.

Swim in the sea

Funchal has few beaches, but there are excellent sea-water pool complexes: the Lido and Ponta Gorda, and the natural rock pools at Doca do Cavacas.

Near Funchal

• Câmara de Lobos: a colourful fishing village 15 minutes west, where Churchill painted. Try a poncha (rum, honey and lemon).
• Cabo Girão skywalk: a glass platform 580m above the sea on one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. €5 since 2026, free for under-12s.
• Whale and dolphin watching: 2–3 hour trips from the marina, about €50–90. See whale-watching trips.
• Levada walks: see Madeira levada walks (book your slot first).

Food

Try espetada (beef skewers cooked on bay-leaf sticks), black scabbardfish with banana, bolo do caco (garlic flatbread), limpets and, of course, a glass of Madeira wine. See Funchal food tours.

Where to stay

The Lido area is great for pools and sea views, the centre and Zona Velha for restaurants. See places to stay in Funchal.

Plan the rest of your trip with our Madeira travel guide, or browse Madeira tours.

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