Top Things to Do in Funchal: 48 Hours of Fun
Funchal, Madeira’s charming capital, is packed with exciting activities and beautiful sights, perfect for a two-day exploration. Whether you want to take in the lush botanical gardens, sample local wines, or ride the famous cable car to Monte, there's no shortage of things to do in Funchal. This guide highlights the top attractions and experiences, ensuring you make the most of your 48 hours in this vibrant, coastal city.
Day 1:
Start your day with a traditional breakfast at a local café. Try the bolo do caco, a flatbread typically served with garlic butter and grilled meats.
Head to the Mercado dos Lavradores, a bustling market with fresh fruits, vegetables, and local crafts. It's a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture and try traditional Madeiran food. Try the passion fruit, one of Madeira's most famous fruits.
Take a cable car ride to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. This beautiful garden is filled with exotic plants, lakes, and waterfalls. The view from the top is breathtaking, and you can stroll through the gardens to relax and unwind.
After exploring the garden, take the quick way down on a toboggan. The Monte Toboggan Ride is a unique and thrilling experience that involves sitting in a wicker basket and being guided down the steep streets of Monte by two men dressed in traditional white clothes and straw hats. It's a fun way to experience the city's history and culture.
Once you have reached the bottom, Return to the old town and grab lunch at a traditional Madeiran restaurant. Try the espada com banana, a dish of black scabbardfish with banana.
Visit the Madeira Wine Museum and learn about the history and production of Madeira wine, known for its unique flavor. Take a tour and taste some of Madeira's best wines.
Stroll through the old town and explore the winding streets and alleys lined with traditional houses, cafes, and shops. This area is the perfect place to soak up the city's atmosphere and get a taste of the local culture.
Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants along the Lido Promenade. Try the espetada, a skewered meat dish with garlic bread and salad.
End the night with a drink at one of Funchal's bars. The Poncha is a popular local drink with sugar cane brandy, honey, lemon, and orange juice.
Day 2:
Start the day by walking along the Praia Formosa, Funchal's largest beach. Enjoy the ocean views and soak up the sun.
Take a whale and dolphin watching tour and get up close with these amazing creatures. Madeira is one of the best places in Europe to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. You may see bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, and even sperm whales.
Head to a local restaurant for lunch and try the sopa de tomate, a traditional tomato soup.
Head to the Funchal Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Funchal Cathedral is a beautiful 15th-century church located in the heart of the city. It is a prime example of Gothic architecture and is a must-visit attraction for history and architecture lovers.
Take a break and enjoy a cup of Madeira's famous coffee. The coffee is known for its unique flavor, which comes from being roasted with sugar.
Have dinner at a seafood restaurant and try the lapas, grilled limpet shells, or the camarão à la guilho, garlic prawns.
End your getaway in Funchal with live music at a local bar. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
Once you have had a taste of all of the amazing things to do in Funchal, we know you will be back to experience the rest of Madeira for yourself. Let us create a customized itinerary for your next adventure. Some of our most popular itineraries include Taste of Madeira, Madeira Adventure Seeker, The Azores & Madeira, and Madeira & Lisbon.
