Funchal walking tour & city guide

The city

The Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal's colorful market, is decorated with azulejo tiles and filled with exotic fruits, flowers and the long, black scabbardfish that is a Madeiran specialty. Nearby, the Old Town's Rua de Santa Maria is famous for its painted doors, each decorated by a different artist, and is lined with restaurants.

Funchal is the hometown of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and a museum dedicated to him stands near the marina. The seafront promenade, the Lido area and the cathedral are all pleasant to walk.

Monte and gardens

A cable car climbs from the seafront to Monte, a hilltop parish with a church and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. The traditional way back down is by toboggan: wicker sledges steered by two men in white uniforms who slide down steep streets, a tradition dating back to the 19th century.

The Madeira Botanical Garden offers views over the city and bay, and historic wine lodges in the center offer tastings of Madeira wine, which can age for over a century.

Exploring Madeira

Madeira is famous for its levadas, irrigation channels with walking paths that wind through forests and along cliffs, and for scenic drives to viewpoints, waterfalls and the natural pools of Porto Moniz. Pico do Arieiro, one of the highest peaks, offers sunrise above the clouds. New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay are world-famous.