Funchal Madeira, Portugal

We were onboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines 'Epic' on a repositioning cruise from Port Canaveral, FL to Barcelona with various stops along the way - the second stop being Funchal.

Funchal is 3,797 sea miles from Port Canaveral and 648 sea miles southwest of Portugal. It is the largest city and the capital of Madeira. It’s population is about 111,892 and it has been the capital of Madeira for more the five hundred years. The name is derived from the Portuguese word "funcho" (fennel) and the suffix "-al", to denote "a plantation of fennel". Click here to go to the Funchal Wiki Page.

The island of Madeira is sometimes called the “Floating Garden”. Flowers bloom year round on the island and there are gardens and parks all over the city of Funchal. Our camera captured a few of the flowers and flowering trees as we toured the city. I kept thinking about my grandmother while I was there. She was from Portugal and plants and flowers were a big part of her life; lovingly caring for them on her front porch. I conjured an image of her in my mind…a big smile on her face, happy to see the flowers that adorn the city.

• Madeira Island is closer to Africa than it is to Europe. Located just 280 nautical miles from the African coast, it is more than 500 miles to Lisbon.
• The island has the world’s largest fireworks display for New Years Eve. ​They even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2006.
• Madeira island is home to Europe’s tallest sea cliff - more than 1,900 feet above the sea; Cabo Girão.
• There are more than 25 miles of tunnels throughout the island. Most of these were built throughout the 16th century. However the construction didn’t stop until and all the way up to the 1940’s. They were built to help with building and maintaining the hundreds of miles of aqueducts called Levadas that cover the island.
• There are more than 1,300 miles of hiking trails in Madeira.
• Endemic Plant Species on Madeira - Madeira is home to several endemic plant species, meaning they grow nowhere else in the world. Due to the island’s isolation and unique subtropical climate, Madeira has developed a distinct ecosystem, especially within its Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Named After Fennel – The name "Funchal" comes from the Portuguese word funcho, meaning fennel, which was abundant when the island was discovered in 1419.
• Capital of Madeira – Funchal is the capital and largest city of the Madeira archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal.
• Mild, Year-Round Climate – Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” Funchal enjoys a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters.
• Birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo – One of the world's greatest footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo, was born in Funchal in 1985. The city has a museum and statue dedicated to him.
• Famous for Madeira Wine – Funchal is the heart of Madeira wine production, a world-renowned fortified wine enjoyed for centuries.
• Historic Toboggan Rides – The Monte Toboggan is a unique tourist attraction where wicker sleds glide down steep streets, pushed by local “carreiros.”
• Lavish Botanical Gardens – Funchal’s Botanical Garden features over 2,000 exotic plant species from around the world.
• Rich Pirate History – Due to its strategic location, Funchal was frequently attacked by pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Stunning New Year's Eve Fireworks – Funchal holds one of the world’s largest New Year's Eve fireworks displays, once recognized by the Guinness World Records.
• Deep-Sea Volcanic Origins – Madeira, including Funchal, is an island formed by underwater volcanic activity over 5 million years ago.

The ship took 36 hours to travel from Ponte Delgada to Funchal. It’s only 607 miles so we suspect that the ship slowed down to arrive early in the morning to allow all passengers time to visit the city ( 607 miles in 36 hours is approximately 16 mph, somewhat slower than the Epic cruising speed).

We didn’t book a ship excursion. Everything there is to do in town is in close proximity to the port and it’s easy enough to walk or take taxis which was more cost effective than the ship excursions.

Quick History Lesson

Funchal began around 1424, when the island was divided into two captaincies, and the zones that would become the urbanized core of Funchal would be founded by João Gonçalves Zarco who settled there with members of his family. Owing to its geographic location, the site became an important maritime port, whereas its productive soils became a focus of new settlers. Its coastal position, the most productive on the island, quickly permitted Funchal to develop an urban core and surpass the populations of other settlements, which slowly gravitated around it.

Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of 111,892, making it the sixth largest city in Portugal, and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries. Because of its high cultural and historical value, Funchal is one of Portugal's main tourist attractions. It is also popular as a destination for New Year's Eve, and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings.

The above information came from the Funchal Wikipedia article, click here to read the full article.

We took a taxi to the Teleferico Do Funchal (cable car) so that we could head up to Monte to take the famous toboggan ride back down. Since we weren’t going to come back down on the cable car, we got a one way fair to the top which was 11 euro per adult. If you wish to see the botanical garden (via another cable car from the top) the cost would have been 31,40 euro per person. We didn’t do the garden but in hindsight I wish we had.

This building is where you purchase your tickets for the gondola ride to the top of Monte, and the queue seen in this picture gives you a pretty good idea of how popular this cable car is!

The cable car views allowed us to see the layout of the city and the harbor below. Mostly white houses with orange tile roofs make up the city. The hills are steep to the point that I’m not sure I’d be comfortable driving until I got used to it. Think San Francisco on a smaller scale, with narrower streets and sometimes steeper hills.

At the top, there was an overlook to get more photos and some gardens. It was a short walk down around the corner to the toboggan area and the Church on top of Monte.

The area at the top of Monte is partially surrounded by the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and above that is a suburban area where we hiked up along the Caminho do Ferro. The road quickly ascends to where it is above all the houses on the city-side, so the views (all the way to the harbor) were superb.

The area surrounding Monte Palace Tropical Garden is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness. Situated amidst lush greenery, the garden offers a tranquil escape with its diverse collection of exotic flora and serene water features. Visitors can explore winding pathways that lead to scenic viewpoints overlooking Funchal Bay and the surrounding mountains. Additionally, the area boasts historical significance, with attractions such as the Monte Palace Museum showcasing fascinating exhibits on Madeiran history and culture. Whether admiring the botanical wonders or delving into local heritage.

Open daily from 9:30AM to 6PM everyday and the entrance fee is €10 per person and children under 15 are free. We did not have time to enter & explore the gardens, but we did see quite a bit of it while waiting for our toboggan ride. If we had not been time limited, we would have spent more time here, as it is beautiful.

 Quick History Lesson 

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden opened to the public in 1991. This masterpiece was put together by José Berardo and 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. Most of them describe social, cultural and religious events. From these we point out a door from the 18th century, framed by a chapel’s frontispiece, with two lateral figures holding the stones of the 10 Commandments and a sword; and 40 tile panels telling the Portuguese history, beginning with the kingdom of Dom Afonso Henriques and ending with a panel dedicated to the Third Republic.

 The above info came from Wikipedia

The Carreiros do Monte is a renowned tourist attraction famous for its traditional wicker toboggan rides. These toboggan rides originated as a mode of transportation for locals in the early 19th century and have evolved into an exhilarating tourist experience. Visitors embark on a thrilling descent down winding roads, guided by skilled carreiros dressed in white uniforms and straw hats. The ride offers breathtaking views of Funchal Bay and lush landscapes along the way. Carreiros do Monte is not only an adrenaline-pumping adventure but also a cultural immersion into Madeiran history and tradition, captivating travelers from around the world.

The toboggan run is about 2Km long and you can reach 48km per hour in spots. You can see in one of the above images where we had just started the toboggan ride, as well as one of the places where we slowed to turn a corner. Be sure to take a look at our video (below) of our toboggan ride!

Click the above video poster image to embark on an exhilarating toboggan run adventure with us in Madeira, inspired by the Amazing Race TV show. Join our journey from the top of Monte, 1,025 meters above sea level, as we enjoy heart-pounding speeds of up to 30mph on this Norwegian Epic transatlantic cruise stop. Experience the thrill of descending the hill, surrounded by stunning landscapes and pure excitement. Come along for the ride of a lifetime – it's an adrenaline-pumping experience you won't want to miss!

We caught a taxi from the end point of the toboggan ride to the edge of the city and did some exploring. We found ourselves at Praca do Carmo plaza at lunch time where there were numerous restaurants. We ate lunch at Restaurante Sabores where we sat outside. We endulged ourselves with a bottle of Vinho Verde, some fresh fish, french fries and I had an excellent omelete.

Negotiate with the taxi drivers if you want a quick and reasonably priced trip down. Otherwise you can take the bus - there is a stop very close to the end of the toboggan ride.

After a leisurely lunch, we made our way to the Mercado dos Lavradores, a lively and colorful marketplace that perfectly blends the charm of a traditional open-air market with the convenience of a modern shopping center. This bustling hub, located in the heart of Funchal, offers visitors a true taste of Madeira's local culture and traditions.

The market is divided into different sections, with a vibrant array of fresh produce, flowers, fish, and artisan goods. In the main hall, vendors proudly display beautifully arranged fruits and vegetables, many of which are unique to Madeira, like passion fruit varieties and dragon fruit. The fish market, located on the lower level, is an experience in itself — you can see locals purchasing fresh tuna and the iconic black scabbard fish, a local delicacy that might look a bit intimidating with its dark, shiny skin and sharp teeth, but is a must-try when visiting the island.

NOTE: After liking what we saw on our short visit to Madeira Terry did some deeper research and found that there are some beautiful hikes and scenery outside of the city of Funchal and much more to see and do - and we both agreed that we should place Madeira onto our list of places that we would like to revisit & spend more time there.

As an example, go to YouTube and enter "Madeira Hiking" and you will get a large list of some amazing videos, below are several good ones - and there are many more;

• Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• The 5 best hikes of Madeira | World Wanderista
• Madeira, the most thrilling hike: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo | Vlog 1 | World Wanderista
• 7 days on an amazing island
• Madeira Levada Walks on the "Youtube" site
• Madeira - Top 10 Hikes
• Madeira Drone Views (this is a great video with beautiful views of the island)
• The Best of Madeira on the "Youtube" site
• Madeira History on the "Madeira Web" site
• Discovering Madeira Website
• Google Search Results list for "Funchal Restaurants"
• Google Search Results list for "accommodations in Funchal"
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• The creation of some portions of this page's narrative text were assisted by OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model].

• Funchal Tours from the "Get Your Guide" site
• Our Image Gallery for Funchal
• Wikipedia Article for Funchal
• Google Image Gallery for Funchal
• Google Reviews for Funchal, Portugal

You should be aware that Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) varies where their ships go, as well as what ships they will reposition. To determine where NCL is sending what ships, you should visit their website. Our list of ports below, is based upon what the "Epic" did when we were onboard in 2019.