Funchal in a Few Hours: A Local’s Guide for Cruise Visitors

Madeira is a popular port of call for cruise ships sailing the Atlantic, with hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers arriving on the island every year.

And we have noticed that many visitors arriving by cruise ship tend to follow a similar itinerary.

They leave the ship, walk or take a taxi to the cable car, go up to Monte, visit the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens, take the famous wicker toboggan ride, make their way back down to Funchal, eventually visit the Farmers' Market… and call it a day.

Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing any of that. Monte is beautiful, the cable car offers wonderful views and the wicker toboggans are certainly an experience you are unlikely to forget.

But Funchal is much more than a checklist of attractions.So, if you would rather experience Funchal than simply see it, here are a few alternatives for spending your precious hours ashore.

1. Discover the stories behind the streets

Yes, we are starting with our own historical walking tours. We are allowed one shameless recommendation, aren't we?

Funchal is a city best discovered on foot, with many of its most interesting stories hidden in plain sight.

On our historical walking tours, we'll introduce you to the city's beginnings: the Portuguese "discovery" of Madeira, its settlement and the events that transformed a small settlement on an Atlantic island into the city you see today.

But history isn't only about dates. We'll also introduce you to some of the people who shaped Funchal, tell you about events that took place in the streets you're walking through and, naturally, throw in a few curious stories and local legends along the way.

Our aim is simple: when you continue exploring Funchal afterwards, we want you to look at the city a little differently.

 2. Follow the smell of biscuits to Fábrica Santo António

There are worse ways to discover a city than by following the smell of freshly baked biscuits.

Fábrica Santo António has been making biscuits and traditional Madeiran sweets since 1893. In fact, it was the first biscuit factory on the island.

The shop has preserved much of its original character, with old wooden counters, shelves and cabinets that make stepping inside feel a little like travelling back in time.

And then, of course, there is the sweets.

One of the things you should try is Bolo de Mel de Cana, Madeira's traditional sugarcane-honey cake. Rich, dark and packed with spices, nuts and dried fruit, it is particularly associated with Christmas in Madeira, although, thankfully, nobody is going to stop you from eating it in March.

Another favourite is Broas de Mel, traditional biscuits made with mel de cana, a dark syrup produced from sugar cane.

For many Madeiran families, both the biscuits and Bolo de Mel are part of Christmas. But the shop has plenty of other temptations too, including ginger and passion fruit biscuits and many other varieties.

You may go in telling yourself you're "just having a look." Good luck with that!

 3. Discover Funchal through a different lens 

One of my favourite museums in the city is the Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente's. And I think it deserves far more attention than it gets. The museum occupies a historic 19th-century photographic studio associated with Vicente Gomes da Silva, who acquired the property in 1865. Today, it preserves the atmosphere and equipment of early professional photography in Madeira.

Inside, you can discover old photographs of Funchal, the island and its people, as well as historic cameras, photographic equipment and the studio itself.

For me, the old photographs are particularly fascinating.They allow you to look at streets you may have walked along only an hour earlier and see what they looked like generations ago. You begin noticing how the city changed and, occasionally, how surprisingly little it changed. 

There is something rather wonderful about standing among enormous old cameras and complicated photographic equipment while remembering that most of us now take hundreds of photographs with a small rectangle we carry around in our pockets.

Progress is convenient.Possibly less romantic, though.

4. Look for souvenirs that actually feel like Madeira

Souvenir shopping in a busy tourist destination can sometimes be… an adventure.

Let's just say that not everything with "Madeira" printed on it necessarily has a particularly deep relationship with Madeira.

If you're looking for something a little different, walk to Armazém do Mercado, only a short distance from the Farmers' Market. This is one of those places that is very easy to walk past without realising what is hidden inside.You'll find a collection of small businesses and creative spaces, with items such as illustrated postcards, flowers, books and art, as well as places where you can stop for a drink or something to eat nearby.

Even if you don't buy anything, it's a pleasant place to wander around for a while and see a slightly more creative and contemporary side of Funchal.

And if you do want to take something home, we'd always encourage you to look for something made or designed locally.

5. See Funchal from above

If you'd like to escape the busy city centre for a little while, head up toPico dos Barcelos Viewpoint.

It's only about a 15 minute drive from central Funchal, but the change in perspective is impressive.From the viewpoint, you'll have wonderful panoramic views over Funchal, the surrounding mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day, it's a great place to understand just how the city has grown between the mountains and the sea.

And, if you've arrived by cruise ship, there's a good chance you'll be able to spot your ship down in the harbour too!

The easiest way to get there is by taxi, Uber or Bolt. You don't need to spend half a day on the excursion. Simply go up, enjoy the views, take a few photos, perhaps have a coffee and head back into the city when you're ready.

It's a particularly good option if you want to see Funchal from a completely different perspective without travelling far from the centre.

6. Discover one of my favourite corners of Funchal

Quinta das Cruzes is one of my favourite stops on our Funchal Essentials Free Tour.

Located just above the centre of Funchal, this historic Madeiran quinta feels remarkably peaceful compared with the busy streets below. And although there is a museum here, I have to admit that it's the garden that keeps bringing me back.

Filled with beautiful plants and trees from around the world, the garden is also home to archaeological remains and some wonderful architectural details, including 16th-century Manueline windows.

It's a lovely place to slow down for a moment, enjoy the surroundings and discover another little piece of Funchal's history.

During our tour, we also talk about João Gonçalves Zarco, one of Madeira's first settlers, and his connection to this site, which became his last residence.

It's not a long stop, but it's one I never get tired of making.

If you join us on the Funchal Essentials Free Tour, we'll discover Quinta das Cruzes together, along with other places and stories you might otherwise walk straight past.

And yes, getting here involves another hill. This is Madeira. We can't protect you from all of them.

You don't need to see everything

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during a cruise stop is trying to squeeze the entire island into a few hours.

Madeira will still be here tomorrow. Your ship, unfortunately, will not.

So instead of racing from attraction to attraction, choose a few experiences that genuinely interest you.

Walk through the city. Stop for a coffee. Try something Madeiran. Visit a small museum. Sit in a garden. Look up at the buildings. Talk to people.

And if you'd like to understand a little more about the city you're walking through, come and join us.

Our Old Town Free Tour explores the history and stories of Funchal's oldest neighbourhood, including the famous Rua de Santa Maria and much more than its painted doors.

Our Funchal Essentials Free Tour takes you through another side of the city, including places such as Quinta das Cruzes and some of my favourite corners of Funchal.

Whichever way you choose to spend your few hours here, don't worry about seeing everything. Experience something instead.

And perhaps leave a few things unexplored. You'll need an excuse to come back, after all.

Lisa