Portugal · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Funchal, Madeira – a ready-made itinerary
Funchal climbs steeply from the harbour up the hillsides and makes a good base for the whole island. The plan covers the old town and the market, takes the cable car up to Monte, and on day three heads into the mountains to Pico do Areeiro and along a levada.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Funchal Cathedral (Sé), Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Pico do Areeiro, Rua de Santa Maria, Fort of São Tiago
- Where to stay
- Centre and Zona Velha, Hotel Zone (Lido)
- Getting around
- The centre and old town are easy on foot, but the slopes are steep.
- Best time to go
- Madeira is mild all year, so almost any time works.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Funchal
10 places you should not miss in Funchal – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
- Funchal Cathedral (Sé)A late 15th-century cathedral with a carved and inlaid wooden ceiling.Day 1
- Rua de Santa MariaThe oldest street in the Zona Velha, its doors painted by artists.Day 1
- Fort of São TiagoA yellow 17th-century fortress at the end of the old town, built against pirates, with sea views.Day 1
- Harbour promenadeAlong the Avenida do Mar to the marina, in the evening with the city lights on the hillside.Day 1
- Monte Palace Tropical GardenA large hillside garden with ponds, Asian touches and many old tile panels.Day 2
Church of Our Lady of the MountThe white church at the top of a long stairway, where Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria, is buried.Day 2- Pico do AreeiroOne of Madeira's highest peaks, reachable almost to the top by car, often above the clouds. Only by hire car, taxi or tour, and only in good weather.Day 3
Trail towards Pico RuivoA stretch of the ridge trail towards Pico Ruivo, the island's highest mountain. Steep, with steps and tunnels – only if you are sure-footed and the view is clear.Day 3- Levada walk to Balcões viewpointA short, level path along a levada through the laurel forest to a viewpoint over the valleys of the interior.Day 3
Câmara de LobosA fishing village west of Funchal with colourful boats in the bay, where Winston Churchill painted.Day 3
Day 1
Old town and market
Funchal Cathedral (Sé)
A late 15th-century cathedral with a carved and inlaid wooden ceiling.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Funchal Cathedral (Sé)about 5 min on foot
Blandy's Wine Lodge
Madeira wine lodge in an old convent building in the centre. Book a tour with tasting in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Blandy's Wine Lodgeabout 10 min on foot
Mercado dos Lavradores
Market hall with tile pictures, exotic fruit and a fish hall where the black scabbardfish lies on the counters.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mercado dos Lavradoresright next door
Rua de Santa Maria
The oldest street in the Zona Velha, its doors painted by artists.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Rua de Santa Mariaabout 5 min on foot
Fort of São Tiago
A yellow 17th-century fortress at the end of the old town, built against pirates, with sea views.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Fort of São Tiagoabout 20 min on foot
Harbour promenade
Along the Avenida do Mar to the marina, in the evening with the city lights on the hillside.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Harbour promenade
Day 2
Monte above the city
Cable car to Monte
The gondola starts in the old town by the sea and glides over rooftops and gardens up to Monte.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cable car to Monteabout 2.9 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
A large hillside garden with ponds, Asian touches and many old tile panels.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monte Palace Tropical Gardenabout 5 min on foot
Church of Our Lady of the Mount
The white church at the top of a long stairway, where Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria, is buried.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Church of Our Lady of the Mountright next door
Monte toboggan ride
Two men in white with straw hats steer the wicker sledges down the steep road towards Livramento.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monte toboggan rideAt the bottom, taxi or bus back to the centre.
Zona Velha
Dinner in the old town: espetada, beef on a bay-leaf skewer, or scabbardfish, with bolo do caco flatbread.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Zona Velha
Day 3
Mountains and a levada (outside town)
Pico do Areeiro
One of Madeira's highest peaks, reachable almost to the top by car, often above the clouds. Only by hire car, taxi or tour, and only in good weather.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pico do Areeiroabout 10 min on foot
Trail towards Pico Ruivo
A stretch of the ridge trail towards Pico Ruivo, the island's highest mountain. Steep, with steps and tunnels – only if you are sure-footed and the view is clear.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Trail towards Pico Ruivoabout 4.1 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Ribeiro Frio
A small place in the laurel forest with a trout farm, known for trout at lunchtime.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ribeiro Frioabout 5 min on foot
Levada walk to Balcões viewpoint
A short, level path along a levada through the laurel forest to a viewpoint over the valleys of the interior.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Levada walk to Balcões viewpointabout 9.6 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Câmara de Lobos
A fishing village west of Funchal with colourful boats in the bay, where Winston Churchill painted.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Câmara de Lobos
Good to know
Best time to go
Madeira is mild all year, so almost any time works. Summer is the driest and warmest, winter brings more rain, especially in the north and the mountains. Mountain weather changes fast: Pico do Areeiro can be foggy and cold while the sun shines down in Funchal.
Getting around
The centre and old town are easy on foot, but the slopes are steep. City buses serve the higher districts, and the cable car goes up to Monte. For the mountains and levadas you need a hire car, a taxi or a guided tour. Buses run from the airport into the centre.
Where to stay
Centre and Zona Velha
Walking distance to the market, cathedral and cable car, with plenty of restaurants. A little livelier in the evening.
Hotel Zone (Lido)
West of the centre on the coast, with a promenade and seawater pools. Walk or take the bus into town.
Ad Where to stay in Funchal? Compare prices: Centre and Zona Velha · Hotel Zone (Lido)
Ad Flights to Madeira (Funchal): compare live prices →
More on Funchal in our blog: How many days in Funchal? 3, or 5+ for Madeira · Madeira New Year's Eve 2026: Funchal fireworks
Your plan
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Funchal: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Funchal?
The must-see sights in Funchal are Funchal Cathedral (Sé), Rua de Santa Maria, Fort of São Tiago, Harbour promenade, Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Church of Our Lady of the Mount. This plan links 10 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Do I need a car on Madeira?
Not for Funchal. For the mountains and most levada walks, a hire car, taxi or guided tour is the easiest option.
What is a levada?
A narrow irrigation channel carrying water from the wet north to the south. The maintenance paths alongside are now walking trails.
Is Pico do Areeiro worth it when it is cloudy?
The summit is often above the cloud layer, but sometimes right inside the fog. Check the webcams first and keep the day flexible.
Are 3 days enough for Funchal?
For Funchal and one mountain day, yes. With more time, the north coast, Porto Moniz and the São Lourenço peninsula are worth it.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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