Funchal on Madeira island at a glance
Funchal lies on the south coast of Madeira. It climbs from the harbour up steep hillsides, and the hotel zone runs along the Estrada Monumental and the Avenida do Infante towards Praia Formosa. The Aerobus from the airport stops along this strip, so many visitors arrive here without needing another bus.
The city works well on foot for the flat parts and by cable car for the hills. Three sights fill most itineraries: the covered market, the cable car up to Monte and the Botanical Garden. This independent guide gives the prices and hours we could check in October 2026. It is not the official tourism website.
Funchal sights compared
Adult prices and opening hours as checked in October 2026. Hours can change on public holidays.
| Sight | Adult price 2026 | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercado dos Lavradores | – | Mon–Fri 7:00–19:00, Sat 7:00–14:00 | Sundays and public holidays |
| Cable car to Monte | €22 return, €16 one way | Daily 8:45–17:45 | 25 December |
| Botanical Garden | €10 | Daily 9:00–18:00, ticket office until 17:30 | 25 December |
| Monte Palace garden (in Monte) | €18 | 9:00–19:00 April to September, 9:00–18:00 October to March | 25 December |
Funchal and Madeira tours
Guided trips from Funchal: levada walks, jeep tours, whale-watching boats and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Mercado dos Lavradores: the market
The Mercado dos Lavradores opened on 24 November 1940. It was designed by Edmundo Tavares and has 122 stalls. The address is Largo dos Lavradores, 9060-158 Funchal.
According to the city of Funchal, which runs the market, it opens Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 7:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. One other source lists Friday until 20:00. That does not match the city's schedule, so plan to finish by 19:00 on Fridays. Special hours apply around Christmas. The "Noite do Mercado" takes place on 23 December.
Plan your visit for the morning, and remember that Saturday closes three hours earlier than the other days.
The cable car from Funchal to Monte
The Teleférico do Funchal climbs 560 metres in about 15 minutes along 3,200 metres of cable. The lower station is in the old town, the Zona Velha. The operator charges €22 return and €16 one way. Children aged 0 to 6 ride free, children from 7 to 14 pay half. The e-ticket is valid for 60 days, and the cable car runs daily from 8:45 to 17:45 except on 25 December.
The cable car closed in January 2026 for modernisation and reopened in April with five glass-floor cabins, according to press reports. Prices in some articles from March 2026 differ from the operator's current price list. Use the €22 and €16 shown by the operator. Ask at the ticket office whether a glass-floor cabin costs extra, because we could not confirm an official surcharge.
At the top you reach Monte. See our page on Monte, the toboggan and the gardens for what to do there.
The Botanical Garden in Funchal, Madeira
The Jardim Botânico da Madeira Eng. Rui Vieira has charged €10 for visitors over 12 since 1 January 2026. Children pay €3, and one secondary source gives the child age band as 6 to 12. Under-sixes are reportedly free. Residents of the region enter free since 2026. Many newer guides still print €7.50, which is out of date.
The garden opens daily from 9:00 to 18:00. The ticket office closes at 17:30, and the garden is closed only on 25 December. One site mentions summer hours until 19:00, but the regional forest agency's published hours are 9:00 to 18:00, so plan for that.
A separate cable car links the garden with Monte. It is not part of the Funchal–Monte ticket and costs extra. Check the current price on site.
The old town
What we can and cannot say.
The old town, or Zona Velha, is the district around the lower cable car station. Walk it before or after your Monte trip and check sights, prices and opening hours on the spot.
A simple day in Funchal, Madeira
Three ways to fill a day, depending on your energy.
Easy: market and garden
Start at the market in the morning, then take a taxi or bus to the Botanical Garden. Budget about €10 for the garden. This works well on a day with low cloud over the hills.
Classic: cable car and Monte
Ride up when the first cabins run, visit Monte, and come back by cable car or toboggan. Add €18 if you enter the Monte Palace garden.
Monte →Active: walk and swim
Funchal is a base for levada walks and boat trips. Book trails online in advance, since every official trail needs a reservation in 2026.
Levada walks →Weather and seasons in Funchal
Mild all year, with a dry summer.
According to the Portuguese weather service, Funchal has an average annual temperature of 20.0 °C and about 574 mm of rain a year (1991–2020 averages). July and August are very dry, with monthly rainfall under 10 mm. October to February are the wetter months. These figures describe the coast. The mountains above the city are cooler and often cloudy when Funchal is sunny.
Funchal in December falls inside the festive season, which runs from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. The New Year fireworks over the bay start at midnight. The programme for 2026/27 had not been published when we checked. The Flower Festival 2027 is expected from 29 April to 30 May, with the big parades on 2 and 16 May. Check the dates again before you book.
See our weather and best time page for the month-by-month picture.
More to plan
Getting here, staying and the rest of the island.
Monte
The toboggan ride, the gardens and the cable car from Funchal.
Madeira airport
Aerobus at €6.70, taxis and why flights are diverted in wind.
Where to stay
Funchal or the countryside: which base suits your trip.
Things to do in Madeira
Fifteen experiences across the island.
Funchal: frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of the Funchal market?
The city lists Monday to Friday 7:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 7:00 to 14:00. The market is closed on Sundays and public holidays. One other source gives Friday until 20:00, so finish by 19:00 to be safe.
How much is the cable car from Funchal to Monte?
The operator charges €22 return and €16 one way for adults in 2026. Children aged 7 to 14 pay half, and children up to 6 ride free. The cable car runs daily from 8:45 to 17:45, except on 25 December.
How much does the Botanical Garden cost?
€10 for visitors over 12 and €3 for children since 1 January 2026. It opens daily from 9:00 to 18:00, and the ticket office closes at 17:30.
Is Funchal worth a full day?
The market, the cable car and one garden fill a relaxed day. Many visitors use Funchal as a base and spend other days on walks and tours.
Can I use the Aerobus to reach my hotel?
The Aerobus runs along the hotel zone to Praia Formosa. It costs €6.70 in 2026, cash only on board. See the airport page for details.