Today, the atmosphere feels unhurried and intimate, where life still spills onto cobblestone streets and neighbors chat from balconies draped in bougainvillea. It is no longer just a colonial outpost but a vibrant, walkable haven where dramatic ocean views meet cozy cafes, inviting you to linger over coffee while watching the sunset paint the rugged cliffs in gold.
Do Funchal the way locals do: start slow at Ponta de São Lourenço, eat where the regulars do at Mercado dos Lavradores (farmers' market), let the evening run long at Barreirinha Bar Café.
Top things to do in Funchal Ranked by rating and review volume. These earn their hype. Booking links may earn Roam a commission, at no cost to you.
1
Jardim Monte Palace Madeira
Botanical Garden · ★ 4.7 (29,896 reviews)
Big, multi-level garden with exotic trees & flowers, ponds, African sculptures & a mineral museum.
Check tours & tickets 2
Madeira Botanical Garden
Park · ★ 4.4 (24,025 reviews)
Hillside botanical gardens with a bird park, natural history museum & glass houses, plus sea views.
Check tours & tickets 3
Funchal Cable Car
point_of_interest, establishment · ★ 4.5 (13,364 reviews)
Sea & mountain views attract riders of this modern gondola running from Funchal to Monte.
Check tours & tickets 4
Mercado dos Lavradores (farmers' market)
Grocery Store · ★ 4.1 (28,706 reviews)
Traditional indoor facility built in 1940 featuring merchants of produce, flowers & seafood.
Check tours & tickets 5
Funchal Cathedral
Church · ★ 4.6 (8,171 reviews)
Gothic-style, late-15th-century Catholic church with an ornate interior comprising 3 naves.
Check tours & tickets 6
Parque de Santa Catarina
Park · ★ 4.6 (7,926 reviews)
Large, garden-like park with diverse trees, flower beds & walkways, plus a lake with ducks & swans.
Check tours & tickets 7
Museu CR7
Museum · ★ 4.3 (14,289 reviews)
Museum spotlighting the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo featuring his career history & trophies.
Check tours & tickets 8
Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint
Observation Deck · ★ 4.7 (6,299 reviews)
Viewpoint with a cafe & vistas sweeping over Funchal, the sea & rugged inland mountains.
Check tours & tickets Where to eat Local favorites, not tourist traps.
11
Mercado dos Lavradores (farmers' market)
Grocery Store · ★ 4.1 (28,706 reviews)
Traditional indoor facility built in 1940 featuring merchants of produce, flowers & seafood.
12
Restaurante Alta Vista
Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (5,753 reviews)
Website 13
Dona Nina Restaurante
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (3,229 reviews)
Website 14
Restaurante Casal da Penha
Portuguese Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (3,147 reviews)
Website 15
Bela 5 Snack Bar
Snack Bar · ★ 4.8 (2,530 reviews)
16
A Bica
Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (3,501 reviews)
Website 17
Restaurante Informal
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (2,840 reviews)
Website 18
Akua
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (2,683 reviews)
Website Hungry for more? Book a food tour or tasting in Funchal
Tours worth booking ahead These sell out, so lock them in early.
20
Madeira Sea Emotions | Whale & Dolphin Watching and Boat Tours
Tour Agency · ★ 4.8 (1,712 reviews)
Check tours & tickets Get outside 25
Ponta de São Lourenço
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.8 (14,177 reviews)
Headland & nature reserve on Madeira's eastern tip with a footpath, rich birdlife & rare seals.
26
Fanal Forest
National Park · ★ 4.8 (7,445 reviews)
27
PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (5,974 reviews)
Website 28
Parque de Santa Catarina
Park · ★ 4.6 (7,926 reviews)
Large, garden-like park with diverse trees, flower beds & walkways, plus a lake with ducks & swans.
Website 29
Levada do Moinho
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (4,201 reviews)
Looped hiking trail featuring the ruins of 3 water mills, plus stone tunnels & waterfalls.
After dark 30
Barreirinha Bar Café
Bar · ★ 4.6 (4,309 reviews)
Website 31
Hole in One
Bar · ★ 4.4 (4,241 reviews)
Website 32
Revolucion Cocktail Bar
Cocktail Bar · ★ 4.9 (1,235 reviews)
Website 33
Banana's Pub
Pub · ★ 4.5 (1,582 reviews)
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