Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Draped across volcanic hillsides above the Atlantic, Funchal rewards cruisers with flower-lined streets, a thrilling wicker toboggan ride down from Monte, and the freshest tuna steaks you'll eat anywhere.
Draped across volcanic hillsides above the Atlantic, Funchal rewards cruisers with flower-lined streets, a thrilling wicker toboggan ride down from Monte, and the freshest tuna steaks you'll eat anywhere.
Funchal has a dedicated cruise terminal at Pontinha on the western edge of the port; you walk or take a taxi 15-20 minutes east to reach the Old Town.
💡 Pro move: Tender is not used in Funchal — all cruise ships dock alongside. The walk along the waterfront is enjoyable and well-marked.
All cruise ships dock alongside at the Pontinha pier in the Port of Funchal — no tendering required.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Pontinha pier, Gare Marítima (Funchal cruise terminal)📍 | Docked |
| Multiple / larger ships | Pontinha pier (berths up to three large ships at once)📍 | Docked |
Funchal packs an enormous variety into a single port day — mountain villages, levada trails, wine cellars, and dramatic coastal viewpoints are all within reach.
Ride the Teleférico do Funchal gondola from the Old Town up to Monte, visit the Church of Our Lady of Monte, then descend in a traditional wicker basket toboggan steered by two carreiros in white. A bucket-list Madeiran experience.
Find Monte toboggan tours →Madeira's levadas (irrigation channels) thread through ancient laurisilva forest. The Rabaçal to 25 Fountains trail is the island's most popular — a relatively flat 5 km walk through mossy woodland ending at a misty grotto.
Find levada walking tours →Funchal's covered farmers' market bursts with tropical fruits, flowers, and Madeiran specialities. Pair it with a wander through the Zona Velha's painted-door street art and a lunch of espada (black scabbardfish) at a terrace restaurant.
Find Funchal walking tours →The Monte Palace Tropical Garden houses a remarkable collection of azulejo tile panels, koi ponds, and exotic plants across 70,000 m². The adjacent Quinta das Cruzes museum occupies a former merchant's estate with period furniture and Madeiran antiques.
Find Monte Palace garden tours →Madeira wine is one of the world's most distinctive fortified wines — and it's made right here. Several lodges in Funchal (Blandy's, Henriques & Henriques) offer guided tastings with explanations of the solera ageing process and the unique Madeiran varietals.
Find Madeira wine tasting experiences →Cabo Girão is one of Europe's highest sea cliffs (580 m) with a glass-floored skywalk over the Atlantic. Combine it with a stop in Câmara de Lobos, the pretty fishing village where Winston Churchill famously painted — and where poncha (local rum cocktail) was invented.
Find Cabo Girão & Câmara de Lobos tours →Funchal's flat waterfront and hilly Old Town are easily navigable on foot; the Monte toboggan adds a downhill shortcut from the hills.
Head east from the Pontinha terminal along Avenida do Mar past the marina, the city gardens, and the seafront cafés. Enter the Old Town through Rua de Santa Maria — famous for its painted doors — and finish at the Mercado dos Lavradores flower and fish market.
From the Mercado dos Lavradores, walk west along Rua do Aljube to the Sé Cathedral (Funchal's 15th-century Gothic cathedral), then continue to Avenida Arriaga and the cluster of Madeira wine lodges where you can step in for a tasting.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Funchal, Madeira, Portugal (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62°F / 17°C | 55°F / 13°C | 8 | 8:10 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Feb | 62°F / 17°C | 54°F / 12°C | 8 | 7:50 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Mar | 64°F / 18°C | 55°F / 13°C | 10 | 7:17 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Apr | 65°F / 18°C | 56°F / 13°C | 11 | 7:38 AM | 8:37 PM |
| May | 68°F / 20°C | 59°F / 15°C | 7 | 7:09 AM | 8:59 PM |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 62°F / 17°C | 8 | 6:59 AM | 9:16 PM |
| Jul | 76°F / 24°C | 65°F / 18°C | 3 | 7:11 AM | 9:16 PM |
| Aug | 79°F / 26°C | 67°F / 19°C | 3 | 7:31 AM | 8:52 PM |
| Sep | 75°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 11 | 7:51 AM | 8:13 PM |
| Oct | 73°F / 23°C | 64°F / 18°C | 12 | 8:12 AM | 7:34 PM |
| Nov | 67°F / 19°C | 59°F / 15°C | 12 | 7:37 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Dec | 65°F / 18°C | 57°F / 14°C | 10 | 8:02 AM | 6:03 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Fixed-fare taxis (yellow with blue stripe) wait at the cruise terminal. The fare to the city center is approximately €7.50; confirm the fixed price before boarding.
A shuttle bus runs from the cruise pier to Avenida do Mar in the city center. Some premium cruise lines include it free; otherwise tickets are available dockside.
Both Uber and Bolt are active in Funchal. Bolt is the preferred local option — typically cheaper and faster. Request from the port gates.
The Funchal cable car (Teleférico) runs from the zona velha (old town) up to Monte. A scenic 10-minute ride with panoramic views; return ticket around €16.
Upcoming cruises that call at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.