Funchal
Funchal is the capital of Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic. Go for the steep harbor city, the cable car up to Monte, and levada walks that start from town.
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Funchal is the capital of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. The city climbs steeply from its harbor, so most streets run up and down the slope rather than along the water. The Mercado dos Lavradores market and the old town sit near the sea, and the Monte cable car lifts you to Monte, a hillside village above the city, where the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is. The climate is mild through the year.
Funchal also works as a base for levada walks. Levadas are irrigation channels with footpaths beside them, and many run through the green interior of the island, reached by bus or taxi from town. For a first trip, two to three days covers the harbor, the old town, a ride up to Monte and one or two walks. Where you sleep matters: the old town, the central district, the hotel zone and the hill differ in slope, noise and how easily you reach transport.
Funchal in five
- Reserve levada walks before you goClassified walking trails on Madeira need a booked time slot through the SIMplifica portal, and a fee applies to most routes. Slots fill, so book the trail before you plan the rest of the day.Levada walks from Funchal
- Ride the cable car up and choose how you come downThe Funchal to Monte cable car lists 16 euros one way and 22 euros return for adults, open 8:45 to 17:45. Many visitors go up by cable car and return by a different route.Getting to Monte from Funchal
- Expect a nightly tourist taxFunchal's municipal tax is 2 euros per night per person for non-residents over 12, up to 7 nights, and it is added by the hotel. Compare the final price, not just the room rate.Tourist taxes in Europe
- Pick a base by slope, not by mapFunchal climbs steeply from the harbor, so a hotel that looks close can mean a hard walk. The old town and the hotel zone are flatter along the coast; Monte is a separate hill village.Where to stay in Funchal
- Read the Madeira overview before you book a baseThe island page covers trail-slot booking, why a car helps at trailheads and how weather on the peaks can change a day, all of which shape where in Funchal you stay.Madeira
Things to do in Funchal
See all attractions in Funchal
Need to know
- Airport
- Madeira (FNC), then bus, taxi or transfer into Funchal
- Getting there
- Flights from Lisbon, Porto and across Europe
- Getting around
- Walking, buses, taxis and the cable car; hills are steep
- Best base
- Zona Velha, the hotel zone or the city center
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days for the city and Monte; a week with the levadas
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, springMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Spring flowersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring flowers
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Warm, flowersMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, flowers
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, clearJuneClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm, hikingSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Warm, showersOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Mild, rainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°FireworksDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fireworks
Average daily high and low in Funchal, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Funchal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
Funchal
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°20°65%Monday: Rain. High 22°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Tue21°20°58%Tuesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed22°19°30%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Thu23°20°45%Thursday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Fri22°21°58%Friday: Rain. High 22°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sat23°22°74%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Sun24°22°70%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 70%.
Updated 05:05 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Day trips from Funchal, the full guide- Monte and its gardensby cable car, bus or taxiA hill village above the city with gardens and a church; return by a different route.Read the guide
- Levada walksby taxi, bus or a guided tourWater channels cut along the hills; trails need a booked slot.Read the guide
- Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girãoby bus, taxi or carA fishing village and a cliff viewpoint west of the city.
Before you go to Funchal
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Rules for Funchal, checked
- Classified Madeira trails need a SIMplifica booking; 2026 fee 4.50 euros per trail (PR1 full route 10.50); residents free; under-13s exempt but must book.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Funchal's tourist tax is 2 euros per night per person, up to 7 nights, for non-residents over 12 (municipal FAQ, from 1 October 2024).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Funchal to Monte cable car: 8:45 to 17:45 daily except Christmas Day; adult 16 euros one way, 22 euros return; children 7 to 14 half price, under 7 free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Funchal FAQ
Is Funchal worth visiting?
Yes as a base for Madeira: a city with a harbor, a market, a cable car and quick access to the levadas. It is steep, so choose shoes and lodging with that in mind.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
Two to four days cover the old town, the market, Monte and a coastal walk. Add three or more days if you want levada walks and day trips across the island.
How much is the Funchal cable car?
The operator lists 16 euros one way and 22 euros return for adults, open 8:45 to 17:45 every day except Christmas Day. Children aged 7 to 14 pay half and under 7s are free.
Do you need to book levada walks?
Yes for classified trails: book a slot on the SIMplifica portal, and expect a 4.50 euro fee on most routes. Children up to 12 are exempt from the fee but still need a booking.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
April to June and September to October for mild weather and clear walking. The city is mild year-round, with more rain in winter and the biggest crowds in summer and at New Year.