Top 10 Things to do in Funchal, Madeira Islands

June 29, 2021 Mikaela Didonna

Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, was declared a city in the 1500s, and became an important point between the old and new worlds. The laid-back city owes much of its historical prominence to "white gold," Madeiran sugar. Today Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker's Market, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around.
Restaurants in Funchal

1. Palheiro Gardens

Caminho Quinta do Palheiro 32, Funchal, Madeira 9060-255 Portugal +351 291 793 044 http://palheirogardens.com
Excellent
55%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 1,165 reviews

Palheiro Gardens

The gardens at "Quinta do Palheiro" are famous not only for the variety of plants that grow there but for the beauty of their setting in the hills to the east of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Madeira has long been called the "Garden Isle" and it seems that almost anything will grow in its fertile soil.The Palheiro gardens are situated at about 500 meters above sea level and were started in 1801 by the original owner the Conde de Carvalhal. He introduced Camellias to the Island, hence our vast collection. The gardens, some 14 hectares (with about 650 species of plants),include the Camellia avenue, Main Garden, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Long Border and the Ladies' Garden where you find the tea house. There is also the Ribeiro do Inferno, a deep valley with treeferns and indigenous plants.

Reviewed By MarleneB261 - Durham, United Kingdom

Absolutely brilliant from start to finish, so many unusual plants and trees, colours and shapes of leaves, well worth a visit, Entrance fee 11 euros. Has a cafe but we didn’t use it, as our men had gone on ahead as they did not want to walk round. If you love gardens it is worth a visit

2. Monte Palace Madeira

Caminho do Monte 174, Funchal, Madeira 9050-288 Portugal +351 291 780 800 [email protected] http://www.montepalacemadeira.com
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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4.5 based on 8,480 reviews

Monte Palace Madeira

Open to the public since 1991, the Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses a huge exotic plant's collection, coming from all over the world, together with swans,duck's and Koi fish. The Monte Palace Museum is an ideal exhibition space nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden. There are three floors, two of which are dedicated to sculptures and the third houses a unique mineral collection gathered from the four corners of the world. Monte Palace Madeira, also includes one of the most important tile collections in Portugal. The tiles exhibited amidst the tropical vegetation represent several ages, coming from palaces, churches, chapels and private houses throughout the former Portuguese empire. We are open everyday except 25th of December. Our prices are: Adults - 12,50€ Children younger than 15 years old: Free Entrance as long as they are accompanied by adults. Check our new facebook page montepalacetropicalgarden

Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom

These are much more than just great tropical gardens: there are sculptures, great displays of tile-work, exhibitions (gem stones and Zimbabwean sculptures, when we were there), koi carp in profusion, a superb display of hundreds of orchids, a romantic Romeo and Juliet balcony and strand, waterfalls and fountains everywhere. A couple of cafes too. Absolutely excellent and really well worth a visit - just remember it’s a lon way above the town and often a fair bit cooler. Thoroughly recommended.

3. Parque de Santa Catarina

Avenida Infante, Funchal, Madeira 9000-015 Portugal +351 291 214 660 https://www.portugaltravel.org/parque-de-santa-catarina-park-funchal
Excellent
47%
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4.5 based on 2,013 reviews

Parque de Santa Catarina

Reviewed By bryanmg141 - Oldbury, United Kingdom

We walked through this park many times during our week at the Casino Park, however, it's a good job we noticed it closed at 8pm! Very picturesque, with lovely views of Funchal, a historic church, statue of Christopher Columbus and a lovely café overlooking the fountains.

4. Blandy's Wine Lodge

Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal, Madeira 9000-064 Portugal +351 291 228 978 [email protected] http://www.blandyswinelodge.com
Excellent
46%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 3,403 reviews

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Acquired in 1840 by Charles Ridpath Blandy, the Blandy's Wine Lodge has always been and is still an integral part of the production of Blandy's Madeira Wine. Located in the center of Funchal, Blandy's Wine Lodge allows visitors to Madeira an opportunity to experience first hand Madeira Wine in the making. Our tours will guide you through some of the history of the wine, its development and evolution, as well as the opportunity to taste the various styles of Madeira. Blandy's Madeira celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, the Blandy Wine Lodges give you a privileged perspective on 200 years of Madeira Wine. The lodge was bought by Charles Ridpath in the mid-19th century and not only was it an extremely valuable property, but was also very useful due to the fact that it was directly connected to the family's town house. Each one of the Lodge's rooms have their own character and due to the differing temperatures and humidity, the wines all have differing ageing profiles based on their location within the lodge. The eastern warehouse holds wine dating back to 1920 and the family's private vintage collection is held within thick stone walls, below the ground floor. The museum holds artefacts that include letters from Sir. Winston Churchill, coins from Blandy's bank and the island's oldest wooden lagar, dating back to the 17th Century. Murals from the renowned German artist Max Romer decorate the tasting room and references from the company's wide range of vintage wines are held in the sala frasqueira. Today the Lodge is the heart of the family's wine business where over 650 casks, tonnels and vats are stored, ageing the finest of the family's wines in the traditional canteiro method.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We did the 45 minute tour; brilliant guide, plenty to see, two different styles of Madeira wine to sample at the end of the tour, with the possibility of paying a very reasonable amount to sample many other wines, which we did! If you then buy a bottle of the wine that you sampled, the cost of the sample is deducted from the purchase price (and an additional 10% deducted if you had done the tour, so we ended up with two nice bottles of Madeira for 16.40 euros. Most helpfully, they give you a voucher to pick up the bottles at the airport after you have gone through security.

5. Telefericos da Madeira

Caminho Babosas 8, Funchal, Madeira 9050-541 Portugal +351 291 780 280 http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/what-to-do/tourist-animation-companies/telefericos-da-madeira--s-a-teleferico-monte
Excellent
53%
Good
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Satisfactory
9%
Poor
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4.5 based on 15,142 reviews

Telefericos da Madeira

Reviewed By 28christine_b - Tadcaster, United Kingdom

We went up on the cable car to monte tropical gardens seem to slow so easy to get onto the cable car very smooth ride lovely views over funchal can see the surrounding countryside and see how high up you are, very easy to get off at the top and walk to monte gardens.

6. Pico do Arieiro

E 202, Funchal, Madeira 9000-900 Portugal +351 912 752 587 http://www.netmadeira.com/webcams-madeira/pico-do-arieiro
Excellent
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4.5 based on 6,633 reviews

Pico do Arieiro

Reviewed By zitronenmimi

If you want to witness the sunrise, be early (minimum of 10-20 min prior to sunrise) to get a good spot and bring some warm clothes, it's high up and if there's wind, it's really cold! If you want to hike afterward, be sure to have proper shoes (sneakers if tight are okay) and be aware that it is part wise really steep but still secure. If you are prepared well, it is a great hike and really really unique!

7. Botanical Garden Cable Car

Caminho Voltas 15, Funchal, Madeira 9060-329 Portugal +351 917 249 010 [email protected] http://www.botanicalgardencablecar.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,045 reviews

Botanical Garden Cable Car

Reviewed By 521Karen - Swansea County, United Kingdom

My husband and I did a return trip which cost us 15 euro each, well worth it!! Amazing views and a lovely visit to the palace gardens at the top , the ride takes about 20 min each way and it’s Amazing! We went before 10 am and there were no ques and we had a car to ourselves.... unlike the Saturday when two cruise ships were docked there and the wait was ridiculous, people were waiting for over two hours, so chose your time wisely, we went on a Monday morning. Palace gardens were amazing , but beware of the walk back to the top when you wander down through, it is very steep, but you can walk off your all inclusive diet ????

8. Santa Maria Street

Rua Santa Maria, Funchal, Madeira 9060-291 Portugal http://www.arteportasabertas.com
Excellent
47%
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Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 836 reviews

Santa Maria Street

Reviewed By VillageGirl - Scunthorpe, United Kingdom

We always make time for a stroll down Rue de Santa Maria when we visit Funchal - it's a vibrant, area with pretty painted doors and lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. There are also a lot of art studios and galleries, something different to look at each time you visit!

9. Madeira Botanical Garden

Caminho do Meio Bom Sucesso, Funchal, Madeira 9064-512 Portugal +351 291 771 310 [email protected] http://ifcn.madeira.gov.pt/quintas-e-jardins/jardin-botanico-da-madeira-eng-rui-vieira.html
Excellent
37%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
6%
Terrible
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4.0 based on 7,798 reviews

Madeira Botanical Garden

A visit to the Botanical gardens provides visitors with the names and origins of the splendid variety of exotic flowers, vegetables, herbs and other useful plants found on Madeira.

Reviewed By piotrm566

this is a very nice garden with plenty of colorful flowers and exotic trees and bushes, very nice and relaxing walk with panoramic view of Funchal, as the garden is located up on a mountain/hill

10. CR7 Museum

Rua Princesa Dona Amelia 10, Funchal, Madeira 9000-019 Portugal +351 291 639 880 http://www.museucr7.com
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.0 based on 1,703 reviews

CR7 Museum

Reviewed By shazbiggin - Rotherham, United Kingdom

If you are football fan this is well worth a visit , all Ronaldo trophies signed shirt, letters and picture sent to him from children beautiful photos and a tv screen with a range of short clips you can watch

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