What to See in Funchal: 10 Must-Visit Places in Madeira's Capital
Funchal, Madeira's capital, packs colonial markets, subtropical gardens, historic neighbourhoods with street art and Atlantic viewpoints into just a few square kilometres. The must-sees are: Mercado dos Lavradores, the Old Town with its painted doors, the Monte cable car, the wicker toboggans, the Botanical Garden and the Cathedral (Sé). With one or two days you have enough time to walk the centre and drive to the higher viewpoints.
Why Funchal surprises visitors
Madeira isn't just wild nature and levadas. Its capital has its own urban identity: Portuguese Manueline architecture, centuries-old working markets and a food scene mixing Atlantic produce with tropical influence.
Visitors who arrive expecting beaches usually leave talking about something else entirely: the smell of Mercado dos Lavradores, the thrill of the wicker toboggan descent, the views from Pico dos Barcelos at sunset.
This guide takes you through the 10 essential spots in a logical order so you make the most of your time.
Funchal's historic centre on foot
Funchal's tourist core is perfectly walkable. Between Mercado dos Lavradores, the Cathedral, the Municipal Garden and the cable car base station, there's no more than 15 minutes on foot. Start here and save the car for the points further from the centre.
Mercado dos Lavradores: the heart of Funchal
The Mercado dos Lavradores is probably the first stop any visitor should make in Funchal. Built in the 1940s and decorated with typical Portuguese tiles, this municipal market is where local growers sell directly from the island's slopes.
Inside you'll find three distinct sections:
- ✓Flowers and plants: orchids, birds of paradise and heliconias grown on Madeira's hillsides
- ✓Exotic fruit: passion fruit, papaya, pitanga, Madeira banana (smaller and sweeter than imported ones) and custard apple
- ✓Scabbard fish: black scabbard fish (Aphanopus carbo), the island's culinary emblem, sold fresh here every morning
A tip: Friday is the day with the most produce and the best atmosphere, since the market closes later.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 7:00 — 14:00 |
| Friday | 7:00 — 20:00 |
| Saturday | 7:00 — 14:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Free entry.
Funchal Cathedral: Manueline architecture in the centre
Five minutes on foot from the market is the Sé Cathedral, known simply as the Sé. It's Madeira's most important religious building and one of the few well-preserved examples of Manueline architecture outside mainland Portugal.
Built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, it stands out for its cedar wood ceiling with ivory inlays and its dark volcanic stone façade combined with white elements.
- ✓Entry: free
- ✓Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Funchal Municipal Garden: the green lung of the centre
Less than 300 metres from the cathedral, the Municipal Garden is the oldest and busiest park in the centre. Palm trees, magnolias, statues and a small café make this the perfect spot to rest between visits.
- ✓Entry: free
- ✓Open every day
The Old Town: Funchal's most photogenic neighbourhood
The Zona Velha (Old Town) is Funchal's oldest neighbourhood, east of the historic centre and a short walk along the seafront from the tourist core.
Rua de Santa Maria and the painted doors
Rua de Santa Maria is the backbone of the Old Town. What makes this street unique are its painted doors: since 2010, local and international artists have transformed the old wooden building doors into works of art. Today there are over 200 decorated doors, each with a different story.
It's an open-air art gallery, free and accessible 24 hours a day.
- ✓Best time to visit: early morning (before 11am) for photos without crowds
- ✓At night, the street fills with bars and restaurants where you can try Madeiran poncha
Fortaleza de São Tiago: the fort by the sea
At the end of the Old Town, right by the shore, stands the Fortaleza de São Tiago, a 17th-century fort painted bright yellow that contrasts with the blue of the Atlantic. It now houses a contemporary art museum.
The cable car and wicker toboggans: Funchal's most memorable experience
Funchal Cable Car: aerial views to the Monte district
The Funchal Cable Car connects the seafront to the Monte district, around 560 metres above the city. The ride takes about 15 minutes and offers panoramic views over Funchal's rooftops, gardens and harbour.
| Round-trip price | ~€13.50 per person |
|---|---|
| Ride duration | ~15 minutes |
| Approximate hours | 9:00 — 18:00 |
In Monte you can visit the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, a pilgrimage site and the burial place of the last Emperor of Austria, Charles I.
Monte wicker toboggans: Europe's most unusual descent
From Monte, instead of taking the cable car back down, you can descend by wicker toboggan: wooden sledges with metal runners steered by two men (the carreiros) dressed in white with straw hats.
- ✓Price: ~€15 per person
- ✓Duration: 10-15 minutes
- ✓Capacity: 1 or 2 people per toboggan
The tradition dates back to the 19th century and is today one of the most sought-after experiences in all of Madeira.
Madeira Botanical Garden: plants from around the world with ocean views
The Madeira Botanical Garden sits about 3 km from central Funchal, on the city's north-facing hillside. It houses over 2,000 plant species from around the world, with special focus on Madeira's endemic flora. From the upper terraces you get some of the best panoramic views of Funchal.
- ✓Entry: €7.50 per person
- ✓Hours: 9:00 — 18:00 (every day)
- ✓How to get there: your own car recommended, or taxi
- ✓Recommended time: 1.5 — 2 hours
Funchal viewpoints: the best free views
Miradouro do Pico dos Barcelos
The Miradouro do Pico dos Barcelos sits west of central Funchal, at around 355 metres altitude. From here you get a 180-degree view over the whole of Funchal bay, the harbour and the cultivated hillsides.
- ✓Entry: free
- ✓Access: a car is essential
- ✓Best time: late afternoon for sunset over the city
Getting around Funchal: on foot in the centre, by car for the rest
Funchal's historic centre is perfectly walkable. Mercado dos Lavradores, the Cathedral, the Municipal Garden, the Old Town and the cable car base station are all connected on foot in under 20 minutes.
However, several important spots are up the hillside and away from the centre:
- ✓The Botanical Garden is 3 km away and the walk up is tough
- ✓The Miradouro do Pico dos Barcelos has no convenient bus stop
- ✓Monte is also far if you're not coming down by toboggan
For these spots, a rental car makes all the difference. It lets you combine the walkable centre, the Monte cable car, the toboggan descent and the botanical garden in the same day.
Frequently asked questions about what to see in Funchal
How many days do I need to see Funchal?
2 full days is enough to cover all the essentials without rushing. Spend the first day on the historic centre, the Old Town and the cable car. The second on the Botanical Garden and Pico dos Barcelos.
Is it free to visit Funchal?
Most of the centre's attractions are free: the Old Town, painted doors, Cathedral, Municipal Garden and Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint. The main costs are the cable car (~€13.50), the wicker toboggans (~€15) and the Botanical Garden (€7.50).
What's the best time to visit Funchal?
Madeira has mild weather year-round. Spring (March-May) is especially recommended for the Festival da Flor and pleasant temperatures.
Is it better to rent a car in Madeira or get around by taxi?
A rental car is the most efficient option if you plan to leave Funchal. For getting around the centre only, taxis work fine, but add up to more expensive over several trips.
Is Mercado dos Lavradores worth it if I'm not buying anything?
Absolutely. The architecture, the tiles, the atmosphere and the visual spectacle of the tropical flowers and fruit justify the visit even if you don't buy anything. Allow 30-45 minutes and go before 10am.
If you're planning to move around Funchal and the rest of Madeira freely, arrive with your car already booked. Compare prices before landing at Funchal Car Hire and start your route without wasting time.