At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| What it is | The island capital, on a steep amphitheatre above its harbour |
| From Calheta | ≈50 km · 35–50 min on the expressway |
| Highlights | Mercado dos Lavradores, Monte cable car, wine lodges, gardens |
| Best for | A full day out of the countryside |
Funchal is where Madeira keeps its urban life: the market, the museums, the wine lodges, the cruise ships and the restaurants that stay open past ten. From Calheta it is a comfortable day trip — the expressway does the work — and the contrast is the point.
What to do
Start at the Mercado dos Lavradores for the produce and the fish hall, then take the cable car up to Monte for the view and the gardens. The Madeira wine lodges in the old town run tastings that explain why a wine is deliberately heated. The Zona Velha's painted doors are worth a wander before you drive back.
Practical notes
- Go early. The expressway west is quick, but Funchal's own traffic is not.
- Cruise days crowd the old town and the cable car; the market is at its best first thing.
