Things to do in Funchal: walks, Monte and the gardens
The city and Monte in a day or two: the market, the painted doors, Madeira wine, the cable car and the toboggans.
In short. In Funchal almost everything can be done on foot or by cable car: the Mercado dos Lavradores (the farmers’ market) and the Zona Velha (Old Town) in the centre, Madeira wine tastings in the wine lodges, and Monte, with the Monte Palace garden and the toboggan ride down. The Botanical Garden is close by, with another cable car.
Funchal is the warmest part of the island, sheltered from the north winds: it gets less than 600 mm of rain a year, against almost 3,400 mm on the peaks.
The market is closed on Sundays and the toboggans don’t run on Sundays either: keep that day for another tour.
In Funchal · 2 tours
Funchal walking tour
Mercado dos Lavradores, Zona Velha and Madeira wine
Market entry free
Monte and the toboggan ride
Cable car, the Monte Palace garden and the toboggan ride down
Cable car €16
A tailor-made tour
Tell us what you’d like to see, when, and how many of you there are
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Side by side
| Tour | Duration | Route | Level | Official cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal walking tour | Half a day | Around the city | 1 of 5, easy | Market entry free |
| Monte and the toboggan ride | Half a day | Little walking | 1 of 5, easy | Cable car €16 |
Tips before you set off
- The toboggans can’t be booked: you buy the ticket on the spot, on the day.
- At the Botanical Garden you pay by Multibanco card, and there’s no cash machine nearby.
- The cable car from Funchal to Monte runs from 8:45 to 17:45.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Funchal in a day?
In the morning, the market and the Zona Velha; in the afternoon, the cable car up to Monte, Monte Palace and the toboggan ride down, Monday to Saturday.
What’s closed on Sundays?
The Mercado dos Lavradores and the toboggans. Blandy’s Wine Lodge opens on Sundays, from 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.
Other types of tour
Levadas
Water channels with a path alongside, through the forest. Three to choose from, from a family stroll to a full day out.
3 tours
Peaks and trails
The mountains at the heart of the island and the eastern peninsula: two very different trails, the same 2026 rules.
2 tours
Island tours
For those who want to see a lot without walking much: two days on the road, one for each side of the island.
2 tours
Sea and adventure
At sea, dolphins and whales all year round; in the mountain streams, canyoning for beginners. Always with licensed operators.
2 tours
Can’t find your tour? We’ll tailor one for you.
Tell us what you’d like to see, when, and how many of you there are. We’ll reply with a proposal, with no obligation.