Funchal

The harbour approach offers an attractive view across the city to the wooded hills above. Depending on the ship's position along the quay, central Funchal is a slightly uphill walk of 15 to 20 minutes. Uneven but attractive paving makes the route unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Major hotels line the coast to the left, including renowned Reid's, where Churchill often stayed and traditional afternoon tea still costs about 30 Euros. Many new 5-star hotels have recently opened in this district.

A dockside taxi into the town centre costs 7.50 Euro per vehicle.

Cruise lines may provide a complimentary shuttle into the centre; otherwise a return ticket costs $9.00.

A new cruise terminal offers gangways, several shops, free WIFI and a tourist-information desk, but no duty-free retail. It can receive only one ship at once, so vessels may instead use the old terminal.

An electric bus calls at the cruise terminal and follows a loop through central Funchal, except on Sundays.

Take a printable map with you.

Funchal is Madeira's capital, with rows of white properties climbing the slopes. It comprises three main areas: the eastern Old Zone or Old Town and its historic buildings; the western visitor hotel quarter, containing Casino Gardens, Quinta das Cruzes Museum and busy Carriera Street; and the city centre between them, where museums include Madeira Wine Institute.

Several attractive webcams show Funchal.

Coastal buses offer an all-day ticket for 6 Euro, while reasonably priced taxis also follow the coast road. The tourist office supplies printed route suggestions.

An open-top, two-deck hop-on, hop-off bus travels around Funchal's most attractive and historic sights. Its circuit lasts one hour and fifteen minutes, with recorded commentary in Portuguese, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. A ticket remains valid for an entire day, allowing unlimited stops. Yellow-line services generally follow a 20 to 30-minute timetable, while the blue line to Camara de Lobos, formerly a small fishing village, is less frequent. Be certain to flag down either bus when reboarding.

Both bus routes call at Teleferico cable-car station for the mountain journey, priced at 16 Euro return or 11 Euro one way. ***NOTE- CABLECAR IS CLOSED UNTIL EARLY APRIL 2026***. An alternative descent is the Monte Toboggan, still used by thousands of visitors each year for a fast ride through narrow, winding streets into Funchal. Two men in traditional white cotton clothes and straw hats push and steer each two-seater wicker sledge on wooden runners, braking with rubber-soled boots. The fare is about 20 Euro pp.

Hiring a car is inexpensive and Madeira is relatively straightforward to navigate. Higher in the hills, however, weather can change rapidly as mist and rain reduce visibility. Some narrow cliff-top roads are also slow-going when you become stuck behind a tour bus. Allow sufficient time for these conditions and for the freedom to pause at viewpoints and interesting villages.

Walking beside the levadas, Madeira's irrigation channels, is another popular way to discover the island. Hundreds of miles of routes follow them, including some demanding sections. Although these waterways are not unique to Madeira, their scale and accessibility are. A short distance from the main roads reveals the island's many aqueducts, their beauty and ingenious design, and the determination behind their construction. The present network spans 2150 km (1350 miles), including 40 km (25 miles) through tunnels...

Madeira is a volcanic island covered with colourful flowers and fruit trees. It measures only 35 miles long by 13 miles wide, but steep mountains and twisting roads make it feel much larger. The rugged landscape means some people in remote villages have never visited Funchal, let alone the mainland. About half the island's population lives in the picturesque capital.

Besides its attractive bay, Câmara de Lobos offers Pico da Torre, Curral das Freiras, Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida and Cabo Girão Skywalk. Câmara de Lobos is accessible by bus from Funchal, 5 km away.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary is among Madeira's most traditional and certainly its largest festivals, held on the 15th of August. Large crowds honour the Virgin Mary of Monte, and visitors on the island can join them. Taking place from 14 to 15 August, it is considered the region's principal religious folk celebration.

Pilgrims also visit the Church of Our Lady of the Mount, Madeira's patron saint, to pray or fulfil vows beside the tomb of Emperor Karl I of Austria. Karl I died at Quinta do Monte in 1922; the property is now Quinta Jardins do Imperador, or Quinta of the Emperor's Gardens. This lively two-day celebration fills picturesque Monte with traditional food and drink stalls and plentiful music.

Most Funchal shopping streets are well-kept pedestrian zones lined with pavement cafés and restaurants. Stores generally remain open while cruise ships are present, although the boardwalk market closes for siesta.

Locally landed Espada, or Scabbard Fish, is served simply grilled with lemon or traditionally battered alongside deep-fried Madeiran bananas. The island is known for bananas. Visit the local "Mercato" in the town centre, which opens mainly in the morning.

Madeira wines are labelled according to one of four grape varieties: Sercial is pale in colour and very dry; Verdelho is golden with a medium-dry taste; Bual is dark gold and medium sweet; and Malmsey, the original grape, creates a sweet wine with a rich chestnut-brown colour.

Fresh fruit juices are among local soft drinks, including maracuja, a particularly enjoyable passion-fruit nectar.

Madeira uses the Euro.

Portuguese is the local language.

Free WiFi zones are clearly marked at many busy locations, particularly around groups of pavement cafés, and are supplied by local government. Ask for directions to "El Teatro" to find one.

The public holiday calendar includes:

Observed dates are: New Year's Day - January 1; Freedom day - April 25; Workers day - May 1; Camões and Portugal Day - June 10; Madeira Day - July 1; Assumption of Our Lady - August 15; Funchal day - August 21; Establishment of the Republic - October 5; All Saints Day - November 1; Restoration of Independence - December 1; Christmas Day - December 25.

Most retailers close on Sundays.

Movable religious feasts are observed across the archipelago.