Funchal
Funchal climbs from a harbour into steep hills of gardens, with a lively market, a painted-door old town and a cable car to Monte.
(opens the tour on Viator in a new tab)The city on foot
Funchal is the capital of Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic known for gardens, levada walks and fortified wine.
Its old town and market are close to the harbour; the city climbs steeply above.
What makes Funchal distinctive
- Mercado dos Lavradores
- Painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria
- Cable car to Monte
- Madeira wine
Walking tours in Funchal
Hand-picked guided walks in Funchal, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.
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Old Funchal Walking Tour (opens Viator in a new tab)
A two-hour walk past the landmarks of old Funchal. Tour details: Old Funchal Walking Tour
Guided in English, German, French
From £14Free cancellation
See dates & bookBooked securely on Viator
Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.
More walking tours on GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Funchal is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.
Search Funchal on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
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Main sights
- Mercado dos Lavradores
A market of flowers, fruit and fish.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Mercado dos Lavradores (opens in a new tab) - Zona Velha
The old town and its painted doors.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Zona Velha (opens in a new tab) - Sé Cathedral
A 15th-century cathedral.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Sé Cathedral (opens in a new tab) - Funchal cable car
To Monte.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Funchal cable car (opens in a new tab) - Monte toboggans
Wicker sledges down the hill.
Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Monte toboggans (opens in a new tab)
Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Neighbourhoods worth wandering
- Zona Velha
The old town.
- Centro
The cathedral and shops.
- Lido
A hotel area west of the centre.
Old town and the market
A free self-guided walk in Funchal, from the cathedral to the Mercado dos Lavradores and the painted doors of the old town.
See the walkBest areas to explore on foot
- Seafront promenade
Along the harbour.
- Old town
Rua de Santa Maria.
- Gardens
The municipal gardens.
Practical walking notes
- Terrain
Very steep above the centre.
- Weather
Mild all year.
- Distances
The centre is small.
When to visit
- Spring
The Flower Festival.
- Summer
Warm.
- Winter
Mild; New Year's fireworks are famous.
Getting there and getting around
Arriving
- By air
Madeira Airport is about 20 minutes away.
Local transport
- Buses
Cover the island.
- Cable cars
To Monte and the botanical garden.
Questions travellers ask about Funchal
How many days do I need?
Two days in Funchal, more for the island.
What are levadas?
Irrigation channels with walking paths.
Can I ride the toboggans?
Yes, from Monte downhill.
Other cities in Portugal
Lisbon
Seven hills, yellow trams and views over the Tagus
Discover the city
Porto
A riverside city of tiles, bridges and port-wine lodges
Discover the city
Coimbra
Portugal's old university city
Discover the cityPortugal
Tiled façades, steep lanes and river views at every turn
Explore destinationsSources and review date
- Funchal, Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Funchal, Wikivoyage (accessed 2026-10-28)