Madeira Cruise Port (Funchal) Guide: Best Things to Do

LAST UPDATED October 21, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

I’ve visited Madeira several times on a cruise ship, and it’s a place that always leaves a strong impression.

From the moment your ship sails into Funchal Bay, you’re surrounded by steep green mountains, terraced hillsides, and colorful houses overlooking the ocean — one of the most scenic cruise arrivals in Europe.

The Port of Funchal is located right next to the city center, so it’s easy to explore on foot. You can walk to the CR7 Museum, the Old Town, or relax in Santa Catarina Park with beautiful views of the harbor.

If you’re up for a day trip, Madeira’s interior offers dramatic scenery, from skywalks and waterfalls to charming mountain villages, ideal for shore excursions or private tours.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Cruise port information (location, facilities, getting around)
• Things to do in Funchal (walking distance from the ship)
• Top things to do across Madeira Island and the best shore excursions

Madeira Cruise Port Overview

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Funchal (Porto do Funchal – International Maritime Passenger Terminal), located about a 15-20 minute walk from Funchal’s city center.

The terminal sits on Pontinha Pier, a long breakwater stretching into the bay, perfectly sheltered by the surrounding hills.

Because of its central location, it’s easy to explore Funchal on foot right after disembarking.

The port has four berths for cruise vessels:

• North Wharf (260 m) – closest to the city center, usually for smaller ships
• Pier 2 (425 m), Pier 3 (347 m), and Pier 8 (330 m) – used for large cruise liners

The modern terminal building offers all the essentials: a tourist information desk, ATM/currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, a cafeteria, public restrooms, and a few souvenir shops.

Taxis and parking are available right outside the pier entrance.

The port also serves the Lobo Marinho ferry, operated by Porto Santo Line, providing a daily connection between Madeira and Porto Santo Island.

Best Things to Do in Funchal (Walking Distance from the Cruise Port)

I’ve been to Madeira several times and tried a bit of everything, from the Monte toboggan ride and wine tasting to exploring the island’s stunning countryside.

But if your ship is docked in Funchal for just a few hours, you don’t have to go far, as many highlights are within easy walking distance from the cruise terminal.

🚠 Funchal Cable Car Ride

If you only have a few hours in Funchal, start with the cable car — it’s one of the best ways to see the city from above.

I’ve done it and the views over the bay and the red rooftops were incredible!

You can walk to the lower station in Almirante Reis Park, which takes about 30 minutes from the cruise terminal, or grab a short taxi ride instead.

The ride itself lasts around 15–20 minutes and slowly climbs from the Old Town up to Monte, with sweeping views of the ocean, hills, and gardens below.

It’s a calm and scenic experience, and once you reach the top, you’ll be just steps away from Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, one of Funchal’s most beautiful spots.

👉 Browse Funchal Cable Car tours

🛷 Monte Toboggan Ride

At the top of the cable car in Monte village you’ll find the starting point of Madeira’s iconic toboggan ride.

The descent begins just below Our Lady of Monte Church and covers around 2 km — taking about 10 minutes down the winding road into Livramento.

Sledges made of wicker and wood are guided by two “carreiros” dressed in white with straw hats, steering and braking with special rubber-soled shoes.

From the finish point you can either catch a taxi back to Funchal or walk downhill in around 20-30 minutes.

Booking online isn’t currently available — tickets are bought on site. Check the official Monte toboggan website for updates.

👉 Explore Monte toboggan ride guided tours

🌿 Madeira’s Botanical Gardens

Madeira is often called the “garden island,” and it really lives up to the name. Thanks to its mild, subtropical climate, everything seems to bloom here.

If you’re short on time, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is your best bet — it’s the closest major garden to the cruise area, reachable via the cable car from Funchal, and combines exotic plants, fountains and sweeping views.

Other beautiful spots include the Madeira Botanical Garden and the elegant Palheiro Gardens, both home to an incredible variety of plants from around the world.

You’ll see colorful flowers, peaceful fountains tucked between palm trees, and even the occasional peacock wandering through the paths.

👉 Browse Madeira Botanical Gardens tours and activities

🍷 Madeira Wine Tasting

Madeira’s fortified wine is truly one of a kind — rich, aromatic, and delicious.

It can range from dry to sweet, with that distinct taste of caramel and roasted nuts that sets it apart from anything else I’ve tried.

If you want to experience it properly, visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal.

Their guided cellar tour and tasting take about 45 minutes and give a great glimpse into the island’s wine-making tradition — definitely one of the most authentic experiences you can have in Madeira.

👉 Explore Madeira wine-tasting tours

⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo Museum

Whether you’re a football fan or not, the CR7 Museum is worth a quick stop.

It’s located right on Funchal’s waterfront promenade, about a 15-minute walk from the cruise port, and celebrates Madeira’s most famous local — Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inside, you’ll find more than 130 trophies, photos, and memorabilia from his incredible career.

There’s rarely a line, so you can just walk in, and you’ll find opening hours and ticket details on the official website

👉 Check out the CR7 Museum tickets and tours

🛍️ Markets & Embroidery

If you want to get a feel for local life, head to Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal’s colorful farmers’ market.

It’s packed with stalls selling exotic fruit, flowers, and the island’s famous black scabbardfish. Prices are higher than in regular shops, but the atmosphere makes it worth the visit.

Madeira is also known for its beautiful hand embroidery, a tradition that goes back centuries.

You can see artisans at work and find authentic pieces at Bordal Embroidery Factory in the city center or browse small boutiques at Armazém do Mercado, a restored warehouse filled with local crafts and cafés.

👉 Browse the top-rated food tours in Funchal

Top Things to Do in Madeira (Day Trips & Shore Excursions)

Madeira may look small on the map, but once you leave Funchal, you’ll quickly see how diverse it is.

The island is full of dramatic cliffs, hidden valleys, and coastal villages that feel a world away from the city.

If your ship stays for the day, it’s worth joining a tour or hiring a car to see more of the island — the views and scenery are simply unforgettable.

🌄 Cabo Girão Skywalk

Cabo Girão is one of Madeira’s must-see spots — the highest sea cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world!

It’s about a 15–20 minute drive (13.5 km / 8.5 miles) from Funchal and is included in most shore excursions.

The glass skywalk platform stands 580 meters above the ocean, offering incredible views of the coastline and terraced fields below.

I’ll admit, it took me a minute to step onto the glass floor, but it was absolutely worth it. There’s also a café, shop, and restrooms at the site.

👉 Browse Cabo Girão tours and activities

🍹 Enjoy Poncha in Câmara de Lobos

Just 8 km (5 miles) from Funchal, on the way to Cabo Girão, lies Câmara de Lobos, a colorful fishing village tucked into a small bay.

Its harbor is lined with bright boats, local bars, and seafood restaurants — a perfect place to slow down for a drink.

This is where Poncha was born — Madeira’s traditional mix of sugarcane spirit, honey, and fresh lemon or orange juice. You can find it all over the island, but it really tastes best here, in the village where it all started.

For a great photo stop, head up to Pico da Torre, a viewpoint overlooking the bay that’s easy to reach by car or local bus.

👉 Explore Câmara de Lobos tours and activities

🌊 Ribeira Brava

Located on Madeira’s southwest coast, Ribeira Brava is a small seaside town just a 20-minute drive (19 km / 12 miles) from Funchal via the highway.

You can also take the scenic coastal road — it takes longer, but the views make every minute worth it.

One of Madeira’s earliest settlements, Ribeira Brava has grown into a relaxed resort town known for its beautiful church, seaside promenade, and lively St. Peter’s Festival in late June.

When I visited, I only had about an hour, just enough time to try the island’s signature Espada — black scabbardfish served with banana — and a glass of Madeira wine.

It turned out to be one of the most memorable meals of my trip.

👉 Check out Ribeira Brava tours and activities

🐬 Dolphin & Whale Watching

Madeira is one of the best places in Southern Europe for spotting dolphins and whales. More than 20 dolphin species live around the island, and some can be seen year-round.

Whales are most often spotted between May–June and September–November.

I joined a catamaran tour and was lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins racing alongside the boat — an incredible experience!

Speedboat and catamaran trips are the most popular ways to explore the coastline and spot marine life up close.

👉 Browse dolphin & whale watching tours