10 Days in Funchal: A Journey to Paradise

Alexandra Best

4 Jan 2024

Embark on a 10-day adventure in Funchal, where breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture await. Explore ancient churches, lush gardens, and fascinating museums. Ride cable cars, taste exquisite wines, and soak up the sun at the Lido bathing complex. Get ready for an unforgettable experience in this tropical paradise!

Trip to Funchal

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Divine Serenity and Botanical Wonders

$25

$ 9

This church is adorned with chandeliers, a revered statue of Our Lady of Monte & pieces of gold.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

13 - 16 min

Directions

Hillside botanical gardens with a bird park, natural history museum & glass houses, plus sea views.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$25

5 - 6 min

Directions

Year-round gardens showcasing a wide variety of orchids & other exotic plants & flowers.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 2Unveiling History and Electric Marvels

$58

$ 5

Enormous, yellow-hued fort built in the 17th century to defend the city from attacks by pirates.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

6 - 9 min

Directions

Unique, modern museum with interactive exhibits of Madeira's history, plus a bistro with a terrace.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$20

2 - 3 min

Directions

Unpretentious museum about the area's history of electricity, with vintage tools in basic exhibits.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

14 - 17 min

Directions

Modern cable car with vast panoramic views & connecting the lush Botanical Garden to Monte.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$38

Day 3Vibrant Markets and Enchanting Gardens

$38

$ 9

Traditional indoor facility built in 1940 featuring merchants of produce, flowers & seafood.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

Directions

Site for hill rides in handcrafted wicker sleds pulled by men known as "carreiros."

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$13

16 - 20 min

Directions

Landscaped green space showcasing tropical plants in a hillside venue overlooking the ocean.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$25

Day 4Secrets of the Old Town and Artistic Heritage

$13

Small fishermen's chapel built in the 15th century & decorated with ceiling paintings & carvings.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

Historic area with narrow cobbled streets lined with restaurant & bars, plus old merchant houses.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

Directions

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$13

Day 5Majestic Palaces and Fine Wine Tasting

$50

$ 5

Big, multi-level garden with exotic trees & flowers, ponds, African sculptures & a mineral museum.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$38

10 - 12 min

Directions

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$13

Day 6Conquering Peaks and Captivating Views

$ 5

This peak on the island of Madeira rises 1,854m above sea level & features a trail to the summit.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

65 - 78 min

Directions

Accessible by foot only, Madeira Island's highest mountain offers coastal views, trails & restrooms.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 7Summit Adventures and Historical Fortresses

$ 5

A road reaches this 1,818-meter high peak, with a cafe & gift shop, that often looks down on clouds.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

35 - 42 min

Directions

Imposing hilltop castle offering panoramic views of the city & sea, plus an adjacent cafe.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

Directions

Collection of decorative arts amassed by a well-traveled individual, displayed in an 1800s house.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Day 8Natural Treasures and Cultural Gems

$25

Opened in 1929, this natural history museum is housed in the landmark Palace of Saint Peter.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

2 - 3 min

Directions

The 18th-century house museum of collector Frederico de Freitas is dedicated to the decorative arts.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$13

4 - 5 min

Directions

500 years of art, ceramics, jewelry & antiques housed in an 18th-century villa in lush gardens.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

$13

Day 9Sacred Cathedrals and Wine Cellar Delights

$25

$ 5

Gothic-style, late-15th-century Catholic church with an ornate interior comprising 3 naves.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

Directions

Blandy's Wine Lodge (former Adegas de São Francisco)

Samples & guided tours exploring Madeira wine production. barrel making & storage.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$25

9 - 11 min

Directions

Seafront leisure complex with saltwater tidal pools, a kids' pool & sundecks overlooking the sea.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 10Royal Palaces, Artistic Icons, and Panoramic Vistas

$43

$ 5

Built 1529–1540, the city's first fortress includes an exhibit exploring the complex's history.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$13

7 - 10 min

Directions

Museum spotlighting the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo featuring his career history & trophies.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$18

14 - 21 min

Directions

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$13

7 - 9 min

Directions

Viewpoint with a cafe & vistas sweeping over Funchal, the sea & rugged inland mountains.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $326 In total

Activities & Food:$283

Transport:$43