How to spend your stopover in Madeira, Portugal

An island that is small in size but mighty in culture and creativity. Madeira is a collection of four islands off the coast of Portugal and North Africa and is known for being the home to rich Madeira wine. The small islands are a frequent favourite with cruisers looking for a no-fly cruise to warmer climes, and in this guide, we give you a glimpse into the sights, smells and sounds you can enjoy on a stopover in Madeira. Keep reading for an in-depth guide on the best things to do in Madeira.

Ways to spend your stopover in Madeira:

• Funchal Cable Car

• Madeira Botanical Garden

• Toboggan Funchal

• Uncover Funchal’s Street Art

• Enjoy a spot of whale watching

Funchal Cable Car

Potentially, one of the most iconic sights in Funchal is the cable cars that run up and down the dramatic cliffs alongside it. The cars end their journey in Monte and offer spectacular views across the vast flora, fauna, and sea that lie beyond.

The journey isn’t just a trip from destination to destination; it is a chance to witness the changing environments where an urban metropolis slowly substituted for gradual slopes, hills and dramatic valleys.

The cable car journey is something that Justyn Gourdin from Justyn Jen spoke to us about when we asked for their recommendations for visiting Madeira. They had these comments to add:

“Madeira is a stunning island with beautiful landscape, flora and fauna. It's one of the most unique islands I've explored around the world. If you've only got a day to explore, I highly recommend starting your journey in Funchal with the cable car. The cable car will give you incredible views and a taste of the mountainous landscape of Madeira, but beware; it can have long queues, so make sure it's your first stop!”

READ MORE: Must-try food and drink in Portugal

Madeira Botanical Garden

A fantasy that dates back hundreds of years, the vision for the Madeira Botanical Garden was finally opened to the public in 1960 and is now one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the city. With an area that stretches approximately 8 hectares, the space is home to lawns, trees and shrubs, as well as finer plants like orchids and exotic species from all continents. The beautiful gardens are topped off by the stunning views across the city and the amphitheatre that calls the sight home. The botanic gardens were another recommendation from Justyn, as well as the historic town centre:

“Following your cable car ride, explore the beautiful botanical gardens or walk around the old town centre. The town centre is a maze of old stone buildings that will leave you feeling like you've stepped back in time. Before getting back on the ship, make sure to visit one of the Poncha bars to get one of the island's famous drinks."

Toboggan Funchal

A stopover in Madeira, or more specifically Funchal, wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the famous Funchal Toboggans or Carreiros do Monte as they are locally known. Serving the tourists of Funchal for over 100 years, the wicker toboggans were originally a rapid means of transport for locals travelling between Monte and Funchal. The ‘Carreiros’ is the name for the men pushing the taboggans from the top of the hill and mastering their trade for decades. If you’ve ridden the cable car to Monte and want to enjoy a decent of a different kind, then the toboggans are a wonderful alternative.

Uncover Funchal’s Street Art

Funchal is iconic for many reasons, including the stunning views and the wonderful architecture, but something that might escape your gaze is the street art dotted around the city centre. The movement started back in 2010 when a local man named Jose Zyberchema launched the Funchal Painted Doors Project in a bid to revitalise the local area and collaborate with local artists to create unique street art in varying styles.

Enjoy a spot of whale watching

Portugal and the surrounding islands are hot spots for whale watching, and visitors to the islands often enjoy whale-watching excursions to try to catch a glimpse of the majestic animals. Tours run from Funchal Harbour throughout the day, and the warm climes and crystal-clear waters make it a real hotspot for sightings. Common species that are frequently spotted off the coast include dolphins, sperm whales and loggerhead turtles. Also, keep your eyes peeled when you are on board your Ambassador cruise ship, as these animals can often be spotted whilst at sea.

If a Madeira cruise is on the cards for you, then you’re in for a treat when you arrive in Funchal, and hopefully, this guide has given you a few ideas of the wonderful attractions and sights you can enjoy when on land. Explore our range of cruises from the UK and book your next cruise today. For more articles and guides like this, make sure you check out the rest of our blogs.