Most of what is worth doing in central Funchal is within about 15 minutes' walk of the marina: the cathedral, the Mercado dos Lavradores, the old town on Rua de Santa Maria and the cable car to Monte. Use the short visits before a 14:00 or sunset departure, and keep the cable car and a long lunch for after a 10:00 trip.
How much time do you really have around each trip?
Start from the Chifbay trip times, then fit Funchal around them. Be on the pontoon 15 minutes before you leave, and remember that after a Day Trip you step off with salty hair and wet towels.
| Trip | Leave | Back | Best window in town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Trip, morning | 10:00 | 12:30 or 13:00 | The whole afternoon after |
| Day Trip, afternoon | 14:00 | 16:30 or 17:00 | The morning before, the evening after |
| Sunset Trip | 1 h 15 before sunset | 2h or 2h30 later | The day before, dinner after in winter |
Sunset in Funchal moves from about 18:00 in December to about 21:15 in late June, so the Sunset Trip along the south coast leaves around 16:45 in winter and around 20:00 in summer. Plan the day backwards from that.
What is right next to the marina?
The cathedral and the old wine lodges are about five minutes away on foot, so they fit into the hour before any departure.
- The Sé. Funchal's cathedral was built between 1493 and 1514, a few streets up from the seafront. Step inside for the ceiling, made from the island's own cedar. A short visit takes a quarter of an hour.
- Avenida Arriaga. The main avenue above the marina. Blandy's Wine Lodge sits here in a group of 17th century buildings, with guided tours every day. Booking ahead is wise in spring and summer. Save the tasting for after the boat, not before.
- The seafront. The promenade along Avenida do Mar runs right past the meeting point, so a slow walk there is never wasted time.
Is the old town worth it before a boat trip?
Yes, if you have an hour. The Zona Velha begins about 15 minutes' walk east of the marina along the seafront, and Rua de Santa Maria is its spine.
The street is known for its painted doors. For more than a decade, artists have turned around 200 doors in and around Rua de Santa Maria into an open air gallery, under a project called artE pORtas abErtas. In the morning, before the restaurants put their tables out, you can actually see the doors. By evening the street is about dinner and poncha.
To see which part of the city suits you best, read our guide to Funchal's neighbourhoods, from the Zona Velha to the Lido.
Can you fit the cable car to Monte around the trip?
Fit it after a morning trip, not before an afternoon one. The cable car starts at Almirante Reis park, at the edge of the old town, and climbs about 560 metres over roughly 3.2 km to Monte in about 15 minutes.
At the top, most people see the church and a garden, then come down in the wicker toboggans: about 2 km of steep road to Livramento in roughly 10 minutes, steered by two drivers dressed in white. From Livramento you still need a taxi, a bus or a long walk down to the centre.
Put together, that is three to four hours. Visit Madeira lists the cable car from 9:00, with last boarding at 17:45. So a 10:00 Day Trip, back at 12:30 or 13:00, then lunch, then Monte, fits well. Squeezing Monte in before a 14:00 departure means watching the clock all morning. Check the times on the day, as they can change.
Where should you eat after the boat?
Eat by dish, not by a ranking. We do not rate restaurants here, but these are the plates worth finding within a short walk of the marina:
- Espetada: beef on a skewer, traditionally a bay laurel stick, grilled and hung at the table. A proper sit down lunch.
- Prego no bolo do caco: a steak sandwich in the island's flat garlic bread. Quick, filling and good after swimming.
- Lapas: grilled limpets with garlic butter and lemon, served in the hot pan they cooked in.
- Espada: black scabbardfish, often served with banana. In the morning you can see the whole fish, long and black, in the market's fish hall.
After a 14:00 Day Trip, an early dinner in the Zona Velha is the natural end of the day. After a summer Sunset Trip you are back after 22:00, so book a table in advance, or eat before you go.
When is the market worth the walk?
In the morning, before the trip: the Mercado dos Lavradores is at its liveliest early, closes early on Saturday afternoon and is shut on Sunday. Opening hours differ between sources, so check before you go.
Upstairs and in the courtyard you find fruit and flowers, and in the fish hall the morning catch. If a stall offers you a taste of exotic fruit, ask the price per kilo before you agree to a bag. Our guide to the Mercado dos Lavradores has the full picture.
What if you only have half an hour?
Stay close. Walk the seafront, look in at the cathedral, have a coffee and a pastry on a terrace, and be on the pontoon 15 minutes early. Half an hour is not enough for the old town and the walk back, and you do not want to start the trip out of breath.
What should you not do right before the boat?
It depends on the trip, but three things are worth avoiding.
- A big lunch before the 14:00 Day Trip. You will swim at Fajã dos Padres and Ribeira Brava, and the run back to Funchal is fast.
- A wine tasting before any trip. Local wine and poncha are already included on board.
- Cutting it fine. If you are at the top of Monte at 13:00, you will not be on the pontoon at 13:45. Check the meeting point and what to bring on the practical information page the day before.
When you are ready to pick a slot, compare both Chifbay trips, or go straight to the Day Trip west to Fajã dos Padres.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the old town from Marina do Funchal?
About 15 minutes on foot along the seafront to the start of the Zona Velha and Rua de Santa Maria.
Is the Mercado dos Lavradores open on Sunday?
No. The market is closed on Sundays and closes early on Saturday afternoon. Hours differ between sources, so check before you go.
Can we do the Monte cable car and a boat trip on the same day?
Yes, after the 10:00 Day Trip. Allow three to four hours for the cable car, Monte and the toboggan ride down to Livramento.
Can we leave our bags somewhere during the trip?
Many hotels in Funchal will hold bags after check out. If you want to bring bags to the marina, ask us on WhatsApp before booking.
An hour in town before, an afternoon after: Funchal fits around the boat, not the other way round.