Bobbing along in the midst of the North Atlantic Ocean, the tranquil island of Madeira is a beautiful mass of land. Often nicknamed “the floating garden”, they say first impressions mean everything. Funchal, the capital, puts on a pretty good show. Although it is the largest city on the island, it has the welcoming feel of a small town. There are plenty of things to see and do in the city before you head off to explore the remainder of the island. Here are 5 fun things to do in Funchal.
Cable cars
The cable car station is found in the park Almirante Reis on the seafront. It transports up and above Funchal to the little mountainside village of Monte. The station can get busy, particularly if cruise ships are docked so time your visit well. The fun of the cable car is having a front row view as you fly above the ground! When you reach Monte at top, the views of the city, almost 2,000ft below and out to sea are fantastic. You can also visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Once you are up here, enjoy a ride in a second cable car which will deliver views of the deep ravine beneath you and allow you to visit the Jardim Botanico. Once you’ve finished exploring, make your way back down to Funchal, either on foot or on a famous toboggan ride!
Mercado Dos Lavradores
A visit to the main market of the village, town or city is usually an interesting experience. The covered market in Funchal doesn’t disappoint. Whilst you will find the usual selection of goods, there’s also a fair share of exotic and intriguing fare, from fruits to flowers! A hive of colour, activity and flavour, it’s a welcome assault on the senses and a great place to try a variety of new and delicious foods.
Paragliding
Add a bit of adventure to your time in Funchal and enjoy a true bird’s eye view by going paragliding. The mountainous terrain of the volcanic island is the perfect environment for such an activity. There are numerous companies offering the experience at competitive prices. Get the adrenalin pumping and enjoy an unforgettable encounter with unparalleled views. It’s as close to flying as you’re likely to get.
Casino
When night time rolls around, you won’t really find many bars in Funchal so why not visit Copacabana Casino for a fun evening out. It’s free to enter; there are a variety of games on offer and several bars and restaurants on site. The focus isn’t all on poker and slots however. A night here can be spent enjoying a variety of different cabaret performances, evening shows, bands, singers and more in the nightclub.
Golf
The popularity of golf has extended off the mainland of Portugal and onto Madeira. You will find a number of excellent golf courses to test your skills. One of the closest courses to Funchal itself is Palheiro Golf, found within the stunning Palheiro Estate a mere 10 minute drive away. Boasting 18 holes with par 72, it’s a championship standard course found around 1,642ft above sea level in a woodland setting with lush, tropical flora and huge rolling greens. Not to worry if you’re new to the sport however as the holes are suited to all abilities with a suitable challenge for those who are more experienced.
Putting the fun into Funchal, these are just some suggestions of fun things to do in Funchal during your time here.
