MarketsFree
Mercado dos Lavradores
Funchal centre
A tiled 1940s market hall with tropical fruit, flowers and a busy fish section.
- Suggested time: 1h 15m
- No booking needed
Monday–Saturday mornings; reduced Sunday hours
Things to do in Funchal
9 places, 5 of them free. Madeira’s hillside capital: old-town lanes, a lively market and a cable car up to lush gardens.
Viewpoints~£12
Funchal Cable Car to Monte
Zona Velha to Monte
A cable car sweeps above rooftops and gardens to the hillside village of Monte.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- Booking recommended
Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00
Hidden Gems~£12
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Monte
A terraced garden of exotic plants, Japanese ponds and Portuguese tiles above the city.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 9:30–18:00
Families~£25
Monte Toboggan Ride
Monte
A traditional wicker sledge ride down steep streets, steered by two runners.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00
Hidden GemsFree
Zona Velha Old Town
Zona Velha
Painted doors, small cafés and restaurants along the narrow Rua de Santa Maria.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
Bars and restaurants open evenings until late
Food & Drink~£12
Blandy’s Wine Lodge
Funchal centre
A historic lodge for tours and tastings of the island’s fortified wine.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- Booking recommended
Monday–Saturday, roughly 10:30–17:30
Must SeeFree
Funchal Cathedral (Sé)
Funchal centre
A 15th-century cathedral with a carved wooden ceiling and a mix of Gothic and Moorish details.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
Daily; hours vary around services
BeachesFree
Lido Promenade and Sea Swimming
Lido
A sea-front promenade with swimming platforms and pools carved into the rocks.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
Open access; some facilities charge entry
ViewpointsFree
Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint
Pico dos Barcelos
A hilltop viewpoint with a sweeping panorama of Funchal bay and the Atlantic.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
Open-air; best in the late afternoon
Planning Funchal?