Perched on verdant slopes above Funchal, Imaculado Coracao de Maria offers a genuine slice of Madeiran life. The white church with its traditional Portuguese architecture serves as both spiritual heart and visual landmark. From here, terraced gardens and residential streets cascade down the hillsides with Atlantic Ocean views. The neighborhood's authentic charm comes from its quiet cobblestone streets and subtropical vegetation. Visitors can explore Quinta Palmeira or hike nearby levada trails through lush landscapes. Small family-run cafés serve traditional Madeiran fare, letting you taste local flavours away from tourist crowds.
Old Town Funchal weaves history through its cobblestone streets and 15th-century architecture. The Gothic Sé Cathedral stands proudly among whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs. Visit the vibrant Mercado dos Lavradores for tropical fruits, flowers, and authentic Madeiran crafts. The waterfront promenade offers scenic Atlantic views and access to boat tours. Traditional restaurants serve local specialities like espetada and black scabbard fish. São Tiago Fort and the Funchal-Monte Teleferico cable car provide perfect starting points for exploring this walkable historic quarter.
São Pedro's cobblestone streets reveal Funchal's authentic heart, where historic churches with intricate tiles stand beside traditional red-roofed homes. The scent of espresso drifts from corner cafes as church bells mark time in this charming area. Locals gather in small squares that feel worlds away from tourist zones. Authentic Madeiran tavernas serve island specialities alongside family-run restaurants with fresh seafood. The Holy Trinity Church and Quinta das Cruzes Museum showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. Steep streets reward walkers with unexpected ocean views and glimpses into lush private gardens.
São Roque sits on a hillside above Funchal, offering travellers an authentic slice of Madeiran life. Traditional whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs cascade down terraced slopes. Cobblestone streets wind between stone walls draped with colourful bougainvillea. Mountain views frame modest homes amid lush subtropical vegetation. The area welcomes visitors with its friendly local atmosphere and scattered family-run tascas serving traditional Madeiran fare. While São Roque has limited tourist infrastructure, its proximity to hiking trails and mountain paths makes it ideal for nature lovers. The peaceful residential setting provides a genuine cultural experience away from city centre crowds.
Discover the most popular places to visit in Funchal
Town Square
9.0/10 (1,903 reviews)
This elegant town square showcases Funchal's heritage with intricate black-and-white patterned pavement and 18th-century architecture. Visit during the Christmas Market for a festive celebration of local crafts.
Photo by Sylwia Olejnik-Antkowiak
Open Photo by Sylwia Olejnik-Antkowiak
Funchal Farmers Market
8.6/10 (1,393 reviews)
This historic market showcases Madeiran culture through exotic fruits, seafood, and local crafts. Arrive in the morning to experience the vibrant atmosphere and sample tropical fruits from colourful vendors.
Madeira Botanical Garden
9.0/10 (1,625 reviews)
This hillside garden showcases over 2,000 exotic plants from around the world, with stunning views over Funchal. Explore themed sections of rare species while enjoying the tranquil, meticulously landscaped grounds.
Monte Palace Gardens
9.2/10 (918 reviews)
This tropical paradise blends exotic plants with Oriental art and stunning views over Funchal Bay. Wander through Japanese gardens with pagodas, then explore the museum's African sculptures and mineral collection.
Lido Bathing Complex
8.4/10 (613 reviews)
Funchal's premier seaside retreat offers saltwater swimming pools and direct Atlantic Ocean access. Relax on the expansive solarium with panoramic sea views or indulge at the on-site restaurant after a refreshing swim.
CR7 Museum
8.0/10 (558 reviews)
This shrine to football legend Cristiano Ronaldo showcases his five Ballon d'Or awards and over 100 trophies. Explore the interactive displays chronicling his journey from Madeiran youth to global superstar.
Formosa Beach
8.0/10 (181 reviews)
Madeira's largest beach blends black volcanic sand with pebbles along a 2km stretch of Funchal's western coast. Stroll the scenic promenade connecting to Câmara de Lobos fishing village for picturesque ocean views.
Madeira Congress Center
8.2/10 (198 reviews)
Madeira Congress Center is just one of the places to see in Santo Antonio, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander through the picturesque gardens and seaside in this relaxing area.
What to do in Funchal
City Sightseeing Funchal Madeira Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras
"All Staff were incredibly lovely and helpful. The room was spacious and comfortable. The hotel in general was lovely and in a great location. The cleaning staff could pay a little more attention when cleaning the rooms but other than that, it was a great stay! Reception staff were wonderful!"
"didn' t use the bar but it looks like it would be a great place to relax and have a drink. The breakfast was wonderful way to start the day, a vairty of food and plenty, and hot or cold appropriately, and very welcoming, clean and lots of space. The front dest staff very courteous, helpful with my requests and kind. It was wonderful stay, thank you very much for the great serivce.
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Offering excellent value package deals on Expedia, you'll be thrilled with how little a holiday to Funchal costs! Our packages make travel planning easier and save you more.
What are the cheapest months to go to Funchal?
You're likely to find lower prices and greater availability in January, February and November. Take a look at our cheap Funchal holiday packages and you could land some great off-season deals.
How many days is enough for Funchal?
Allow at least 6 days for your Funchal holiday if you want to enjoy everything that makes this place special. Stroll around key neighbourhoods, including Sé and Sé. Then head to the major sights such as Funchal Cable Car - Monte Station and Funchal-Monte Teleferico. With a clever itinerary, you'll be kept busy with room for some relaxation too. Want to go beyond Funchal? Consider a day trip or two.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Funchal?
Well known for its coastal beaches, nightlife and bars and pubs, a Funchal holiday is a hit with all types of travellers. Be sure to check out major sights like CR7 Museum and Funchal Farmers Market, and consider renting a car for day trips to experience even more.
How to find the best Funchal package deals?
Use Expedia's handy filters to find some unbeatable Funchal package deals. When you begin your search, just set your maximum budget and then order the results by "Price: low to high." If you want to save, plan your trip for midweek, or browse for Funchal package deals in the low season. Switch up your travel dates and you may land even bigger discounts. As a rule of thumb, it's usually best to lock in your holiday package as early as possible.
Is it cheaper to book a Funchal holiday as a package?
Expedia holiday packages are designed to help you keep more cash in your pocket. Bundle your car rental, hotel and flight into one great-value price and you could save hundreds of dollars. You'll typically snag a better deal than booking each component individually. And you'll still have the freedom to create a personalised Funchal holiday by choosing your favourite type of stay, airline and car class.
When to book a holiday package to Funchal?
If you're planning a spur-of-the-moment Funchal holiday, browse our last-minute deals that can be booked up to one week before you go. Don't want to leave things to the last minute? You can land awesome deals on your hotels and flights by booking ahead.
How to plan a trip to Funchal?
Pick your travel dates: What you plan to do in Funchal and your favourite season will help you decide when to go.
Plan your budget wisely: As well as the price of your stay, you should factor in other expenses. These include transportation, flights and food. Also, put aside some extra funds for unexpected costs that may come up during your trip to Funchal.
Work out your trip length: Consider how long you'd like to spend discovering Funchal. Plan your days so you can get to all the experiences and attractions you're interested in without rushing.
Bundle your bookings: With your travel dates in place, you can combine your flights, hotels, car rental and more into a personalised Funchal holiday package.