Funchal Things To Do

Funchal nightlife
At night time Funchal comes to life with a number of restaurants and bars in the resort open until late. Many of the locals will not even begin to party until the late hours and are always likely to stay out till the early hours of the morning!

Workers market
The ‘workers market’ in Funchal is a wondrous world full of smells and colours. Established in the 1930s as a place for local producers to sell their wares, it is now one of the major attractions in Funchal and can also act as an ideal place to stock up if you are on a self-catering holiday. Situated on three levels, Funchal market is open daily except for weekend afternoons.

Historical Funchal
The Old town of Funchal with its winding cobbled streets is almost 500 years old and it takes more than a day to explore the city of Funchal, offering visitors a wide variety of interesting things to do. Much of historic Funchal can be divided into three distinct parts: São Pedro, Santa Maria and Sé – all of which are worthy of exploration.

Funchal from the Air
Funchal seafront is lined bars and restaurants and is a very popular destination for tourists. However, for a more ‘elevated’ view of the area, then try an organised helicopter with a trip from Funchal harbour. Alternatively, if you prefer a less extravagant option then take advantage of the huge Madeira balloon opposite Funchal Marina. Balloon flights are every 15 minutes and offer splendid views of Funchal.

Funchal marina
One of the more popular things to do in Funchal is a visit to the local marina. Why not enjoy a boat trip where you can spot dolphins, sea lions, turtles and whales. There are also opportunities for scuba and deep sea diving trips allowing you to explore the underwater world. Interestingly, Funchal harbour attracts some of the largest cruise ships in the world, most notably the magnificent Queen May II.