Madeira rose from volcanic fire and the Atlantic wind, and Funchal—its capital—grew from terraced sugar estates into a sun-kissed port known for gardens, wine, and cliff-hugging views. Prince Henry’s navigators called at this bay; Winston Churchill painted in nearby Câmara de Lobos; Cristiano Ronaldo grew up here. Today, Funchal charms with laurel forests in the clouds, art-filled lanes in the Old Town, and a marina where sleek catamarans chase whales and sunsets.

Expect a temperate, spring-like climate most of the year, though microclimates keep things interesting—carry a light layer and good walking shoes for cobbles and levada paths. Dining ranges from espetada (beef on laurel skewers) and black scabbard fish with banana to bolo do caco bread slathered with garlic butter. Try poncha—rum, honey, and citrus—the island’s beloved tipple, best sipped in a tiny tavern after a day of hiking.

Practical notes: Roads are steep; if you self-drive, reserve an automatic early. Taxis and ride-hailing (e.g., Bolt) are plentiful; public buses reach most sights. The euro is used; cards are widely accepted. Book marquee activities (whale watching, sunrise tours) in advance, especially in spring and fall when the island is busiest.

Funchal

Funchal is a city of terraces: banana plots and bougainvillea tumble toward a glittering bay. In the Old Town (Zona Velha), doorways double as canvases; at Mercado dos Lavradores, vendors crown baskets with passion fruit and pitangas. Ride the cable car to Monte for palaces and cloud gardens, then rattle back down in a wicker toboggan—an island tradition since the 1850s.

• Top sights: Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira Botanical Garden, Mercado dos Lavradores, Sé Cathedral, CR7 Museum, São Tiago Fortress, Santa Catarina Park, Praia Formosa and Lido promenade.
• Signature experiences: Whale and dolphin watching, Pico do Arieiro sunrise, levada walks in laurel forests, Madeira wine tasting at historic lodges, Porto Moniz volcanic pools, Cabo Girão Skywalk.
• Eat & drink: Try lapas (grilled limpets), tuna steak with milho frito, scabbard fish, espetada. For sweets, queijadas and honey cake. For a classic nightcap, poncha.

Where to stay

• Iconic splurge with clifftop gardens: Belmond Reid's Palace
• Mid-range retro in the historic center: Hotel do Carmo
• Resort feel with ocean access: Pestana Carlton Madeira
• Browse apartments, villas, and more: VRBO Funchal | Hotels.com Funchal

Getting to Funchal (FNC)

• From Europe: Check fares on Omio Flights. Typical non-stop flight times: Lisbon (~1h45), Porto (~2h), Madrid (~2h20). Expect ~€40–€150 one-way off-peak, higher in summer.
• From outside Europe: Compare international options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then connect via a European hub (Lisbon is the most frequent).
• Airport to city (20–30 min): Taxi or Bolt is the simplest; SAM public buses also serve Funchal (around 40–50 min, economical).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town wander, and poncha at sunset

Afternoon: Land in Funchal and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs along Avenida Arriaga—note the patterned black-and-white pavements—then step into the Sé Cathedral to admire its cedar ceiling. Continue to Mercado dos Lavradores to see flower sellers in traditional dress and sample exotic passion fruit varieties.

Evening: Dine in the Old Town: reserve at Armazém do Sal (modern Portuguese tasting menus in a 200-year-old salt warehouse) or opt for Taberna Ruel for scabbard fish, lapas, and garlic-buttered bolo do caco. For a nightcap, try a classic poncha at Rei da Poncha, or sip Madeiran wines at Blandy’s Wine Lodge bar.

Day 2: Monte cable car, tropical gardens, and a dip in the Atlantic

Morning: Ride the Funchal–Monte cable car from the waterfront (about 15 minutes; return tickets are roughly the cost of a casual lunch). Wander Monte Palace Tropical Garden—koi lakes, tile panels, and sweeping views—then peek into the church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, the island’s patron saint.

Afternoon: Take the traditional Monte wicker toboggan down to Livramento (about 10 minutes of joyful glide; tickets on-site are around €25–€35). Continue by taxi to the Madeira Botanical Garden for endemic plants and island panoramas. If you prefer the sea, head instead to Doca do Cavacas natural pools or the Lido complex for a saltwater swim.

Evening: Splurge at Il Gallo d’Oro (two Michelin stars; refined Atlantic-Mediterranean cuisine) or book Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira for creative plates cooked over embers. Afterwards, grab a rooftop cocktail at Three House for city lights and ocean breezes.

Day 3: Dolphin and whale watching, design, and seafood by the surf

Morning: Join an eco-friendly catamaran to spot dolphins and whales off Funchal’s coast. The stable platform and marine biologists onboard make sightings insightful and gentle on wildlife.

Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

Afternoon: Browse the Nini Andrade Silva Design Centre (set in the old fort on the pier) for Madeiran-inspired design and vistas over the harbor, or visit the CR7 Museum for football lore and trophies. Coffee and a slice of honey cake at The Ritz Madeira or Golden Gate Grand Café are classic Funchal pauses.

Evening: Book a table at Doca do Cavacas for sunset views, grilled limpets, and fresh tuna, or choose O Tasco for rustic petiscos. For live music, pop into Café do Teatro; for a quiet digestif, order a 10-year-old Bual at a wine bar near the marina.

Day 4: West Madeira waterfalls, skywalk, laurel forest, and lava pools

Morning–Afternoon: Spend a full day exploring the island’s dramatic west on a small-group tour: fishing coves in Câmara de Lobos, the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão, gorges at Encumeada, the mossy Fanal Forest (UNESCO laurisilva), black-sand Seixal, and the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz for a bracing swim. It’s the essential road trip if you’re not renting a car.

Small Group West Tour Waterfalls & Fanal Forest Tour

Evening: Back in Funchal, tuck into espetada at Chalet Vicente (beef skewers perfumed with laurel) or opt for Santa Maria for classic Madeiran fare in the Old Town. Digest with an evening stroll along the marina and the palm-lined Parque de Santa Catarina.

Day 5: Pico do Arieiro sunrise and Madeira wine history

Early Morning: Rise before dawn for a guided sunrise at Pico do Arieiro. Watch clouds burn gold from one of the island’s highest viewpoints; on clear days you see the jagged ridge to Pico Ruivo. Dress warm—mountain weather can be brisk even in summer.

Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour

Afternoon: After a late breakfast at Prima Caju (great bowls, specialty coffee), tour Blandy’s Wine Lodge downtown to learn the canteiro aging method, from Sercial to Malmsey. Browse Rua de Santa Maria’s painted doors and artisan shops for gifts (bolo de mel, wicker, embroidery).

Evening: Book Restaurante do Forte, set by the ochre ramparts of Fortaleza de São Tiago, for elegant seafood and island produce. If you’re up for folklore, check if any fado nights are on in town; otherwise, watch the harbor lights from Barreirinha Bar Café.

Day 6: Vineyard visit with lunch, parks, and petiscos

Morning: Start leisurely in Santa Catarina Park—views over the bay, swans on the pond, locals walking their dogs. Grab pasteis and espresso at a neighborhood bakery near the market.

Midday–Afternoon: Head inland to a local vineyard for a cellar visit, tastings, and a Madeiran lunch. You’ll see how altitude and terracing shape the island’s fortified wines and new-wave table wines.

Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included

Evening: For dinner, Beef & Wines is famous for espetada and well-sourced steaks; PVP—Pão, Vinho e Petiscos offers shareable plates with local flair. Night owls can check out Vespas for dancing, or keep it mellow with a late stroll under jacarandas on Avenida Arriaga.

Day 7: Market bites, a last swim, and farewell views

Morning: Circle back to Mercado dos Lavradores for edible souvenirs—honey cake, biscuits from Fábrica Santo António, and bottles of Sercial or Malmsey. If you prefer water time, swim at the Lido promenade or Barreirinha Bathing Complex near the Old Town.

Afternoon: Early lunch at O Portão (Old Town staple; grilled fish, scabbard, and cheerful service) or Uva at The Vine Hotel for a final rooftop view. Transfer to the airport with time to spare—the runway sits on stilts over the ocean, a memorable last sight.

Evening: Departure.

Local dining short list

• Seafood: Doca do Cavacas (clifftop grills by natural pools), Marisqueira Pedra do Lume (shellfish near the marina).
• Modern Madeiran: Kampo by Júlio Pereira; Armazém do Sal (tasting menus); Uva (rooftop ambiance).
• Traditional: Chalet Vicente (espedata and milho frito); O Tasco (petiscos); O Portão (Old Town classic).
• Coffee & sweets: Prima Caju (healthy brunch), The Ritz Madeira and Golden Gate Grand Café (cakes and people-watching).
• Drinks: Rei da Poncha (poncha flavors), Barreirinha Bar Café (sunset terrace), marina wine bars (Bual/Malmsey flights).

Good to know

• For levadas and high peaks, pack layers, a light rain shell, and grippy footwear. Weather can change quickly.
• If you plan multiple cable cars/toboggans, check combo tickets on-site; taxis are handy for the return from the toboggan finish.
• Driving: tunnels ease travel, but mountain roads are narrow and steep—take your time and use viewpoints to let faster cars pass.

Book your travel and stays

• Flights (Europe): Omio Flights
• Flights (global): Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com
• Hotels: Belmond Reid's Palace | Pestana Carlton Madeira | Hotel do Carmo | Hotels.com – Funchal | VRBO – Funchal

This 7-day Funchal itinerary threads gardens, peaks, and the Atlantic into a week of balanced adventure—sunrise ridgelines, laurel forests, and boat decks gilded by dolphins. Between glasses of Madeira wine and plates of scabbard fish, you’ll find a city that hums gently with history and sea light. You’ll leave with salt on your skin and a promise to return.