Here are 45 of my favourite things to do in Funchal, Madeira, as well as a few things to do in Madeira more widely. I’ve been there enough times now that I feel I can give plenty of tips on how best to spend your time in this beautiful island city.

I’ve tried to avoid anything too obvious like the Monte toboggans. And I’ve only focused on the city of Funchal itself and day trips you can easily do from it without a car rather than looking at the entire island of Madeira… Otherwise, this will turn into 45 million things to do and no one will have the patience to read it. I’ll be impressed if anyone actually reads all 45 things, to be honest…

Please note that I originally published a version of this post a few years ago but I’ve updated and re-written almost all of it this year before re-publishing it, so it’s all current and accurate information for you. I visit Madeira regularly and like to keep on top of what new things to do in Funchal there are, so I’ve added in lots of new stuff and also weeded out things that no longer make the cut. I hope you find it all useful! Let me know in the comments.

Anyway, read on if you want some tips from a self-confessed Funchal/Madeira addict. Enjoy.

Here’s my pick of the best bars in Madeira, mainly focusing on the bars in Funchal that I know really well and always recommend. The island is full of places serving the Madeiran national drink poncha but there’s also an emerging craft beer scene (craft beer as in the hoppy hipster kind). And while Madeira isn’t the go-to place for crazy nightlife, there’s still somewhere to drink around every corner.

Poncha is a delicious and rather strong alcoholic drink from Madeira, made with boozy sugar cane rum, honey, sugar, orange/lemon juice and other fruit juices. The traditional lemon one is my favourite because I’m all about that sour life. But if you’re not so sour, you might like the maracuja (passion fruit) or tangerine variants. Legend has it that if you drink three poncha, you’ll be able to speak fluent Portuguese. I can confirm this is very much not true. You’ll barely be able to speak. 

Madeira’s growing craft beer scene should also be on the agenda. I’ve found some brilliant bars serving local hoppy IPAs from Portugal. This type of beer seems to be catching on in a bid to escape the generic Coral lager everywhere (Portugal’s Heineken).

If this all sounds up your street, you’ll like this list of the best bars in Funchal and other places to get your boozing on in Madeira…

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Funchal and where to eat in Madeira more generally, you’re in for a treat. There is a real foodie scene on the island, with plenty of traditional places but also some cute hipster cafés. Most of the food Madeira serves up is delicious and I’ve sampled so much of it over the years that I feel a) fat and b) ready to recommend my favourites. 

I love Madeira and I love eating so this is my expert guide to combining the two: I’ve listed the best restaurants in Funchal, the best cafés/snack bars/food stalls in Funchal, and the best places I’ve eaten in other towns around the island that you might find handy on day trips too. Obviously, all this food needs washing down with some booze so don’t miss my other post on the best bars in Funchal.

I should also add that although Madeira is an island that produces a lot of its own delicious fresh fruit and vegetables, vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Funchal and Madeira generally are rare. It’s definitely a meat-heavy place. But there are plenty of restaurants in Funchal and beyond that serve meat/fish but also cater to vegetarians and vegans really well. So if like me you eat a mostly plant-based diet, it’s well worth doing a bit of planning ahead to make the most of it.

Anyway, dig out all your clothes with elasticated waistbands. Let’s get onto the eating.