Things to see...Dining in Funchal Things to do...
Stroll around the Botanical Gardens which are set in the grounds of a Funchal country
house and full of tropical flowers. Bright colours are on display with terraces of flowers
cascading downwards facing the harbour of Funchal. Visit a wine lodge where you can taste
and buy some of the local wines, including the excellent Verdelho.
Funchal has some great restaurants and a plethora of local dishes for you to try. Popular
regional dishes include caldeirada, fish soup, and espada which is a fresh black fish similar
to an eel. Enjoy espetada which is beef grilled on laurel wood skewers, over an open fire. Have
a glass of sweet dessert wine like malmsey after your meal or maybe a glass of milky coffee
called Galão.
Take the cable car up to the town of Monte and visit its church which is a point of pilgrimage.
Here you will find stunning views out over the island and the city of Funchal below. Go on a boat
trip in search of dolphins and whales and see the island’s steep cliffs from sea level. Spend time
on the beaches of Madeira and relax in this perfect island of tranquility. For a unique view of the
island, you can take a trip in an airship and climb high above it.