Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Funchal, Madeira Islands

July 9, 2021 Nobuko Falco

Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, was declared a city in the 1500s, and became an important point between the old and new worlds. The laid-back city owes much of its historical prominence to "white gold," Madeiran sugar. Today Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker's Market, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around.
Restaurants in Funchal

1. Caravel Art Center

Rua Dom Carlos I 19 20 Rua de Santa Maria, 60, Funchal, Madeira 9060-051 Portugal +351 913 655 459 [email protected] http://www.artcaravel.com/
Excellent
90%
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5.0 based on 223 reviews

Caravel Art Center

The biggest International Art Center, Gallery and Art shop based on Madeira island with worldwide delivery. We work as an art residence with Portuguese and foreign artists, representing their interests far beyond our island. We also work with several Portuguese ceramists to highlight their contemporary take on traditional Portuguese ceramics. You can get to know the artists by visiting the page ART RESIDENTS and our BLOG. See the CURRENT STOCK section for collections and works available now. All artworks are unique and have original certificate of authenticity The shop is open every day, except Sunday . The gallery is open from Monday to Friday and temporarily from 10 to 5 pm.

Reviewed By OlgaO

We had a wonderful art workshop in Caravel - this was a great chance for us to try watercolors painting, without any prior experience. The atmosphere in Caravel is very inspiring, waking up your creativity. We draw nice paintings and each of us was quite surprised with her own talent ;) Also at the back of the building they have a lovely shop with little masterpieces of ceramics, paintings, and other art. Just inside this shop it's easy to spend half-hour or more - and the biggest challenge is to choose what to buy without buying everything ;-) Thank you very much for this experience and I wish you a lot of success!

2. Palheiro Gardens

Caminho Quinta do Palheiro 32, Funchal, Madeira 9060-255 Portugal +351 291 793 044 http://palheirogardens.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,165 reviews

Palheiro Gardens

The gardens at "Quinta do Palheiro" are famous not only for the variety of plants that grow there but for the beauty of their setting in the hills to the east of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Madeira has long been called the "Garden Isle" and it seems that almost anything will grow in its fertile soil.The Palheiro gardens are situated at about 500 meters above sea level and were started in 1801 by the original owner the Conde de Carvalhal. He introduced Camellias to the Island, hence our vast collection. The gardens, some 14 hectares (with about 650 species of plants),include the Camellia avenue, Main Garden, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Long Border and the Ladies' Garden where you find the tea house. There is also the Ribeiro do Inferno, a deep valley with treeferns and indigenous plants.

Reviewed By MarleneB261 - Durham, United Kingdom

Absolutely brilliant from start to finish, so many unusual plants and trees, colours and shapes of leaves, well worth a visit, Entrance fee 11 euros. Has a cafe but we didn’t use it, as our men had gone on ahead as they did not want to walk round. If you love gardens it is worth a visit

3. Monte Palace Madeira

Caminho do Monte 174, Funchal, Madeira 9050-288 Portugal +351 291 780 800 [email protected] http://www.montepalacemadeira.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 8,480 reviews

Monte Palace Madeira

Open to the public since 1991, the Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses a huge exotic plant's collection, coming from all over the world, together with swans,duck's and Koi fish. The Monte Palace Museum is an ideal exhibition space nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden. There are three floors, two of which are dedicated to sculptures and the third houses a unique mineral collection gathered from the four corners of the world. Monte Palace Madeira, also includes one of the most important tile collections in Portugal. The tiles exhibited amidst the tropical vegetation represent several ages, coming from palaces, churches, chapels and private houses throughout the former Portuguese empire. We are open everyday except 25th of December. Our prices are: Adults - 12,50€ Children younger than 15 years old: Free Entrance as long as they are accompanied by adults. Check our new facebook page montepalacetropicalgarden

Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom

These are much more than just great tropical gardens: there are sculptures, great displays of tile-work, exhibitions (gem stones and Zimbabwean sculptures, when we were there), koi carp in profusion, a superb display of hundreds of orchids, a romantic Romeo and Juliet balcony and strand, waterfalls and fountains everywhere. A couple of cafes too. Absolutely excellent and really well worth a visit - just remember it’s a lon way above the town and often a fair bit cooler. Thoroughly recommended.

4. Santa Clara Convent

Calcada Santa Clara 15, Funchal, Madeira 9000-036 Portugal +351 291 742 602 http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/santa-clara-convent
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4.5 based on 479 reviews

Santa Clara Convent

Reviewed By marg826 - Coventry, United Kingdom

If you want to step in the footsteps of the first explorers then come here and see the amazing Convent which is still in use today. It is so worth the climb up the hill!

5. Blandy's Wine Lodge

Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal, Madeira 9000-064 Portugal +351 291 228 978 [email protected] http://www.blandyswinelodge.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 3,403 reviews

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Acquired in 1840 by Charles Ridpath Blandy, the Blandy's Wine Lodge has always been and is still an integral part of the production of Blandy's Madeira Wine. Located in the center of Funchal, Blandy's Wine Lodge allows visitors to Madeira an opportunity to experience first hand Madeira Wine in the making. Our tours will guide you through some of the history of the wine, its development and evolution, as well as the opportunity to taste the various styles of Madeira. Blandy's Madeira celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, the Blandy Wine Lodges give you a privileged perspective on 200 years of Madeira Wine. The lodge was bought by Charles Ridpath in the mid-19th century and not only was it an extremely valuable property, but was also very useful due to the fact that it was directly connected to the family's town house. Each one of the Lodge's rooms have their own character and due to the differing temperatures and humidity, the wines all have differing ageing profiles based on their location within the lodge. The eastern warehouse holds wine dating back to 1920 and the family's private vintage collection is held within thick stone walls, below the ground floor. The museum holds artefacts that include letters from Sir. Winston Churchill, coins from Blandy's bank and the island's oldest wooden lagar, dating back to the 17th Century. Murals from the renowned German artist Max Romer decorate the tasting room and references from the company's wide range of vintage wines are held in the sala frasqueira. Today the Lodge is the heart of the family's wine business where over 650 casks, tonnels and vats are stored, ageing the finest of the family's wines in the traditional canteiro method.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We did the 45 minute tour; brilliant guide, plenty to see, two different styles of Madeira wine to sample at the end of the tour, with the possibility of paying a very reasonable amount to sample many other wines, which we did! If you then buy a bottle of the wine that you sampled, the cost of the sample is deducted from the purchase price (and an additional 10% deducted if you had done the tour, so we ended up with two nice bottles of Madeira for 16.40 euros. Most helpfully, they give you a voucher to pick up the bottles at the airport after you have gone through security.

6. Madeira Explorers

C. C. Monumental Lido 1 Floor, Shop 23, Funchal, Madeira 9004-541 Portugal +351 291 763 701 [email protected] http://www.madeira-levada-walks.com/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 511 reviews

Madeira Explorers

Reviewed By anndannd

I did a "WIND LAGOON - LEVADA DO ALECRIM" walk and it was really fantastic! We were lucky enough to have an excellent bus driver Tony and a great guide Miguel. Miguel provided us with lots of interesting information and cared for our safety and a nice, relaxed atmosphere. The walk itself passed through varied terrain and was a bit demanding at times, but the beautiful views were absolutely worth some effort. I highly recommend!

7. Parque de Santa Catarina

Avenida Infante, Funchal, Madeira 9000-015 Portugal +351 291 214 660 https://www.portugaltravel.org/parque-de-santa-catarina-park-funchal
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,013 reviews

Parque de Santa Catarina

Reviewed By bryanmg141 - Oldbury, United Kingdom

We walked through this park many times during our week at the Casino Park, however, it's a good job we noticed it closed at 8pm! Very picturesque, with lovely views of Funchal, a historic church, statue of Christopher Columbus and a lovely café overlooking the fountains.

8. Quinta Vigia

Avenida Infante, Funchal, Madeira 9000-015 Portugal
Excellent
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4.5 based on 63 reviews

Quinta Vigia

Reviewed By janethW4741PH

This is the President's garden and is generally open on weekdays . It is attached to the Santa Catarinha park and entrance is 1 Euro (bargain) Immaculately kept(well done to the gardeners) and full of interest with lovely views over the port . Not keen on the caged birds,macaws and peacocks which looked sad and bored and needed bigger cages and enrichment or even freedom but the gardens themselves were lovely

9. Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Largo do Colegio, Funchal, Madeira 9000-000 Portugal +351 291 233 534
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4.5 based on 198 reviews

Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Reviewed By LindaW587 - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

This is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. It is in the centre of Funchal and the ornate interior is breathtaking with so much gold and tiling. Well worth a visit.

10. Holy Trinity Church

Rua Quebra Costas 18, Funchal, Madeira 9000-034 Portugal +351 965 653 280 [email protected] http://www.holytrinitychurchmadeira.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 185 reviews

Holy Trinity Church

An Anglican (Church of England) Church in Funchal, Madeira - providing for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the english speaking community and visitors to Madeira. Holy Trinity Church - Important Information (14th March 2020) Due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, it announced that all organised group activity in the church, its associated buildings, the grounds and the British Cemetery is suspended until further notice. This will include all organised meetings, no matter how small, as well, of course, the church services. We hope to be able to open again as soon as circumstances and the legal regulations pertaining to the pandemic allow. In the meantime, please Stay At Home and Stay Safe !

Reviewed By Jrd1208 - Manchester, United Kingdom

Services every Sunday ad Wednesday. Coffee morning on Saturday. Other events on website. Nightly concerts and also on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. Check last only started February 2020. Visitors are made very welcome especially if they offer their services for various activities

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