2 hours Funchal
Funchal Old Town & Monte Toboggan Tour
A private tuk-tuk through the painted doors of the Zona Velha, up to Monte and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down.
from €80
Check availabilityFunchal
Two thirds of the island's population lives in and around Funchal, and it is the only place where you can happily spend a week without a car. It is also the natural base for a first visit.
Where to go
- Zona Velha
The painted-door lanes of Rua de Santa Maria.
- Monte Palace Gardens
Reached by cable car; allow two hours.
- Toboggan run
Wicker sledges down to Livramento. Touristy and genuinely fun.
- Lido promenade
Sea-front walking from the city to Câmara de Lobos.
More places in this theme
Worth adding to the list
Mercado dos Lavradores
Funchal1 hour
Sé Cathedral
Funchal30 minutesFree
Funchal Cable Car
FunchalHalf a day with Monte
Blandy's Wine Lodge
Funchal1.5 hours
Jardim Botânico da Madeira
Funchal2 hours
Fortaleza de São Tiago
Funchal45 minutesFree
Museu CR7
Funchal1 hour
Funchal Marina & Waterfront
Funchal1 hour, or half a day with a boat tripFree
Igreja do Colégio
Funchal30 minutesFree
Book it
Guided options
3.5 hours Funchal
Madeira Wine & Food Tour
A guided walk through Funchal's old town tasting Madeira wine, local dishes and market produce, with the stories behind each stop.
from €95
Check availability
2.5 hours Calheta Marina
Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour
A marine-biologist-led catamaran trip into the deep Atlantic, where pilot whales and three dolphin species are resident year round. Rated 4.9 from over 1,200 reviews.
from €74
Check availabilityGuides on this subject
Things to Do
Best Things to Do in Funchal
How to spend two or three days in the capital without a car, and what to skip.
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Practical
Madeira Without a Car
It is entirely possible — with buses, transfers and a few well-chosen tours.
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