Things To Do in Funchal: Discover Madeira’s Coastal Capital

Sitting on Madeira Island, known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” Funchal offers famously good wine, amphitheater-shaped mountains, breezy weather, and shimmering shores.

Founded in 1421 by João Gonçalves Zarco, a Portuguese navigator, this port city has long been an essential trading point. And though Madeira has fallen under Spanish and British control as well, it’s the Portuguese influence that holds fast, right down to the name of its capital city — “Funchal” comes from the language’s word for fennel, which historically has peppered the jade-hued hills of the island. Today, it’s home to tropical flower gardens, winding cobblestone paths, white-washed buildings, and sumptuous cuisine.

There are so many exciting things to do in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Soak up the fragrance at the Madeira Flower Festival, go wine tasting in the mountains, watch the mango-drenched sunset from the shore, or feast on locally-caught seafood. All of this and much more is within reach thanks to Silversea, which offers cruises to Funchal, complete with onboard experts, planning assistance, and your own private sanctuary in which to rest between excursions.

Trek through the cultural landmarks of Funchal

This stop on a cruise to Portugal is studded with cultural landmarks, from Funchal’s Old Town to the city center. Bring good walking shoes so you can trek from the harbor and explore on foot — I’d also recommend a Portuguese dictionary. 

Here are the most interesting things to do in Funchal, Portugal:

Churches and cathedrals

For centuries, Funchal’s religious sites have offered quiet spaces for art, history, and reflection. Some sit within easy reach of the city center, while others can be paired with a visit to Monte and the hills above the capital.

Built in 1493, the Sé Cathedral is perhaps the most popular among visitors. Featuring late Gothic touches and a Mudéjar ceiling made from local junipers, it’s truly an ornamental marvel.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte

Perched over the city, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte boasts centuries-old goldsmith craftsmanship, local paintings, and the tomb of Charles I — the historic kaiser’s resting place is a must for any World War I history buffs.

Convento de Santa Clara

Built in 1496 as a residence for the local leaders’ daughters, this convent is one of the best things to do in Madeira. Funchal's history, art, and design are present, including 17th-century Hispano-Arabic tilework and traditional wooden ceilings.

Streets and squares

One of the most underrated things to do in Funchal is to treat the streets as attractions in and of themselves. These areas may be explored independently or as part of a guided city experience, including a Silversea Shore Excursion like the Funchal E-Bike Adventure.

Rua de Santa Maria

Named after an old church along the street, this cobblestone lane houses art, shops, and cafes. Along Rua de Santa Maria, painted doors turn the street into an open-air gallery, with shops, cafés, restaurants, and small bars adding to its lively Old Town atmosphere.

Avenida do Mar

Avenida do Mar presents glittering oceanic vistas, historic buildings, and lush plants. It is a natural place for a leisurely stroll, with views of the harbor, passing boats, and the Atlantic just steps away.

Avenida Arriaga

For cultural landmarks, Avenida Arriaga is one of Funchal’s essential streets, lined with gardens, theaters, historic buildings, and monuments. Among its most notable sights is the statue of João Gonçalves Zarco, the Portuguese explorer credited with helping discover Madeira, along with nearby cafés and public spaces that make the avenue a natural gathering place in the city center.

Museums

History buffs, soccer enthusiasts, and art aficionados alike will adore the museums in Funchal, Madeira. These stops may be best suited for guests exploring independently before or after a guided experience.

Casa Museu Frederico de Freitas

This striking building shows lawyer Frederico de Freitas’s art collection, ranging from paintings to sculptures to furniture. The museum is set inside a rose-colored former residence, giving visitors a closer look at both the collection and the atmosphere of a historic Madeiran home. Its rooms also display decorative tiles, ceramics, and objects gathered across centuries, adding another layer to Funchal’s cultural story.

Museu de História Natural do Funchal

From the Palácio de São Pedro address to the locally sourced natural specimen collection, this museum is the best thing to do in Funchal if you want to feel connected to the Madeiran landscape while indoors.

CR7 Museum

Learn more about soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo’s early life and extraordinary career in the place where it all began. Through visual media, hands-on exhibitions, trophy displays, and personal memorabilia, the museum traces his journey from Madeira to the world stage.

Discover the best outdoor experiences and gardens in Funchal

Known for its gardens, mountain views, volcanic coastline, and lush interior, Funchal is a natural gateway to Madeira’s outdoor beauty. Silversea Shore Excursions may include cable car rides to Monte, visits to Monte Palace Tropical Garden or Madeira Botanical Garden, panoramic island drives, and journeys into the Laurissilva forest by 4x4.

Here are the best things to do in Madeira, outside.

Gardens

The gardens in Funchal present a rainbow of flowers and species.

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens

Ride the Teleférico do Funchal for great views and transit to Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, a striking 18th-century space with 100,000 plant species. Consider taking the traditional Monte Sledges down for fun.

Jardins de Palheiro

This landscaped estate dazzles with lakes, centuries-old trees, sweeping Funchal views, and levadas, Madeira’s famous constructed waterways. Wander among camellias, roses, and tropical plants as the gardens unfold in quiet terraces, shaded paths, and vivid bursts of color.

Madeira Botanical Garden

Trees, an amphitheater, and 2,000 exotic plants promise a plethora of photogenic moments across ornamental landscaping. Set above Funchal, Madeira Botanical Garden brings together sculpted beds, vivid tropical species, and wide terraces where the island’s color and topography come into view.

Beaches

The sea is within reach in Funchal, thanks to the beaches — here are the best ones:

Praia Formosa

This sun-seeker favorite is just a 25-minute walk from Funchal’s center. Praia Formosa delights with black sand, pebble shores, crystal-clear water, and sweeping Atlantic views, while lifeguards and safety features add ease for travelers who want a relaxed beach day close to the city.

Praia de São Tiago

This small public beach is tucked beneath the São Tiago Fort, ensuring it flies under the radar for most tourists. Locals come for its sheltered waters, easy sunbathing, and nearby beach bar, making it a simple, atmospheric stop after exploring the Old Town.

Barreirinha Bathing Complex

East of São Tiago Fort, the Barreirinha Bathing Complex impresses with bayside views and amenities to spare, such as lockers, showers, lounge chairs, a lift, a ramp, and lifeguards. Its calm swimming areas, concrete platforms, and proximity to Funchal’s Old Town make it a practical place to pause between city exploring and time by the sea.

More nature-based experiences

Sitting in a diverse eco-region, Madeira’s wildlife, hiking, and water sports are world-renowned. These are the best things to do in Funchal for a taste of nature:

Dolphin and whale watching tours

Thanks to clear waters, mild currents, and warm seas, the cetacean population thrives in Madeira. There are many whale and dolphin watching operators that leave from Funchal, but Blue Safari Madeira is among the best.

Laurissilva by 4x4

Madeira’s Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals the island at its most ancient and atmospheric. On a Silversea Signature Experience, guests travel on 4x4s through Ribeira Brava, climb toward Encumeada Viewpoint, and continue into the forest by Land Rover, passing ancient trees, waterfalls, cliffs, and lush vegetation before visiting northern vineyards for wine and a local snack.

Golf at Palheiro

For a slower outdoor experience above Funchal, Palheiro Golf pairs sport with scenery. Set nearly 500 meters above sea level, the course moves through hilly terrain, pine forest, botanical woodland, and views over the Bay of Funchal — all part of a Silversea Shore Excursion.

Sample Funchal foods and Madeira wine

Tropical flavors, luscious seafood, and distinct desserts define Funchal cuisine, which is best paired with Madeira wine. Here are some dishes to have on your radar:

Seafood

Espada com Banana, or black scabbardfish with Madeiran banana, is a perfect mix of salty, sweet, and smoky. Meanwhile, lapas, or limpets, are traditionally served grilled in Madeira and make for very satisfying beach bites. And, due to the plentiful local tuna population, Bife de Atum, or tuna steaks, are a very popular dish.

Meat dishes

Espetada Madeirense, or beef skewers, make frequent appearances at gatherings. Picadinho is similar, but consists of fried beef cubes. At festivals, look for Carne de Vinha d'Alhos, a white wine and garlic-marinated pork dish.

Soups

Typical of winter dining, Sopa de Trigo is a traditional wheat and vegetable soup that has a unique, gummy texture. For those craving something meatier, Caldeirada, a traditional Portuguese stew, is packed with fish.

Snacks, sandwiches, and sides

Milho Frito, pieces of fried cornmeal, are treated as a side dish. Prego no Bolo do Caco continues the starch tradition, combining a stoneslab-baked sweet potato bread, garlic butter, and steak.

Produce and raw ingredients

Produce abounds on Madeira, including chestnuts, bananas, anona, and Fruto Delicioso, the fruit that comes from the Monstera Deliciosa plant. It’s known for its unusual flavor, often described as a blend of banana, pineapple, and mango, with a custardy texture when ripe. Head to the Mercado dos Lavradores to sample some of the local specialties and purchase some of these goodies.

Desserts

Queijada da Madeira is a rich and cheesy pastry that goes well with coffee. Cakes like Bolo de Mel (honey cake) and Bolo Preto da Madeira (fruitcake made with sugarcane, beer, honey, Madeiran wine, and cinnamon) have cultural histories that can reach back centuries. Fans of lighter sweets will enjoy Pudim de Maracujá, a passionfruit mousse. Or try Rebuçados de Funcho, a fennel-flavored candy.

Wine and spirits

Traditionally preserved with sugarcane to ensure it survived long sea journeys, Madeira Wine is reflective of the local nautical history and terroir. Made with Sercial, Bual, Verdelho, and Malvasia grapes, the varieties range from dry to sweet, depending on the fruit used. Historically known as Poncha à Pescador, poncha, meanwhile, is made from citrus and honey and was famously drunk by fishers during the winter. And, for a beer-based drink, the Nikita cocktail is distinctly blended with pale ale, pineapple, pineapple juice, and ice cream.

Guests can explore this heritage through Silversea Shore Excursions such as Madeira & Wine Tasting, which includes a visit to Blandy’s Wine Lodge for a guided experience.

Soft drinks

Madeira soda pops are beloved by residents for a reason. The orange peel-flavored beverage Laranjada, for example, was invented locally and has been around since 1872. And Brisa Maracujá, a Madeiran invention from 1970, was the first soda to include fresh passion fruit juice.

Make merry at Madeira festivals and Funchal festivities

Of all of the things to do in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, the festivals are among the most popular.

Anyone who travels to Madeira should try to attend the Festa da Flor in Funchal. This flower festival lasts from April 30 to May 31st annually, and includes a blossom-filled parade, vibrant themed decorations, performances, and unforgettable displays made entirely of blooms. Between the colors, music, and fragrance, it’s truly a sensorial occasion.

Here are seven other noteworthy events to keep in mind for your next cruise to Madeira:

1. Carnival

For two weeks in February, carnival celebrations hit the streets of Funchal, bringing glittering performers, dancing troupes, and parades. The festivities build toward a grand parade filled with elaborate costumes, music, and choreography, followed by playful street celebrations that reveal Madeira at its most exuberant.

2. Mercado de Chocolate

Every Easter season, chocolate takes over the Funchal farmers' market for a few days with chocolatier demonstrations, tastings, and exhibits. Visitors can sample regional creations, watch artisans at work, and see how cocoa, fruit, nuts, and other Madeiran ingredients come together in elegant seasonal sweets.

3. Feira do Livro

From March 20 to March 29, Avenida Arriaga in Funchal turns into a massive bookfair, complete with parades, entertainment, book signings, and exhibitions. The open-air setting gives the event a festive, communal feel, inviting visitors to browse Portuguese literature, meet local and visiting authors, and linger among stalls in one of the city’s most elegant public spaces.

4. Atlantic Festival

Throughout the month of June, cultural activities entertain, from circus performances to art showcases — plus, fireworks burst over the bay every Saturday night.

5. Festa da Nossa Senhora do Monte

Held at Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte from August 14 to August 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Monte celebrates the patron saint of Funchal through performances, games, floral decorations, and traditional food stalls.

6. Festa do Vinho Madeira

Every August and September, the wine festival brings the region’s viticulture to life through harvests, tastings, grape stompings, and musical performances.

7. Noite do Mercado

During Christmas and New Year's celebrations, a night market pops up at the farmer’s market in Funchal, offering holiday gifts, street food, and carols to be heard.

Sail to Madeira and answer the call of Funchal

With influences that hail from both Europe and Africa, Madeira is one of the most unique corners of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, where continental distinctions meet, visitors find iridescent pools, museums, vibrant music, a rich wine heritage, volcanic terrain, unctuous seafood, and unbeatable sunsets. It’s where outdoorsmen, viticulturists, whale watchers, culinary aficionados, and soccer fans unite between the hills, exotic gardens, and cobblestone streets.

Explore cruises to Funchal and experience the mystique of Madeira in person.