Farmers' Market, Funchal

Private tours

Meet your guide at Jesuit's College of Funchal, Madeira University to begin this 2-hour guided walking tour of Funchal. Learn how the history of Madeira and Funchal shaped the city centre as you visit the most important points of interest. Travel down the 19th century public walkway between the Municipal Theatre and the Cathedral, where sugarcane was first planted in Madeira, during the 15th century. Explore the city’s medieval heart dating from the Golden Age of Sugar and discover the beautiful 17th century religious monuments. Visit the ruins of the old Pilory Square and other remnants from past floods and the area damaged by the Great Fire of Funchal in 1584. This tour helps to support students at the University of Madeira who are facing financial difficulties.  

With a local guide on the driving seat this tour provides a fantastic introduction to Funchal’s history, culture and landmarks. The tour will take you to the 15th century Old Town, with stops at the fantastic viewpoints of Socorro and Villa Guida. Later, appreciate a mix of landmarks from different centuries in the city center, including the 15th century cathedral, the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) and the Municipal Square where the City Hall and the Jesuit Monastery are found. Visit the neighborhood of São Pedro where the island's oldest convent, Santa Clara, the famous Museum of Quinta das Cruzes and the Church of São Pedro can be admired.  To finish your tour, drive by the Municipal Garden and Santa Catarina Park to get a taste of Madeira’s famous gardens. The Tukxi is small and maneuverable enough to take you comfortably around the city’s small back streets. This tour is the perfect introduction to the city of Funchal!

See Funchal's top sites on a guided tuk-tuk tour. Cruise through the Old Town and the new Lido district. View sights like Pico´s Fortress, the Fort of São Tiago, and Funchal Cathedral. Be picked up from your accommodation in Funchal and take in the scenery as you drive up to to the hilltop where Pico´s Fortress is perched. Admire this fortress which once protected the city from pirates and French corsairs. Continue to Quinta Vigia, the bright pink mansion where the island's president resides. Ride to Funchal Cathedral to appreciate its sumptuous Manueline Gothic features.  Stop at the Farmer’s Market where you can peruse the fresh local produce. Finish your tour at Barreirinha´s bar in the old town where you can choose to stop for a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.

Settled in your "Tukxi" (tuk-tuk taxi) with a local guide at the helm, your tour will begin with a drive up the hills of Funchal to the famous Village of Monte and to its famous Church, gardens and toboggan ride. On the way up the hill you will be able to appreciate some fantastic views over the city, and once up in the village of Monte, the guide will take you through the gardens to the famous 19th Century Church of “Our Lady of Monte”. Information about the village history will be provided along with some amazing photo opportunities. You can also experience the famous toboggan ride (paid separately). Your Tukxi driver will meet you at the end of your toboggan ride, at which point you will journey comfortably back to your point of origin.

Explore the city of Funchal individually and at your own pace, with time for photos, shopping or a rest at a cafe. You will hear information about history, architecture and life in Funchal from an experienced tour guide on your smartphone. The tour for cruise guests starts directly at the port and leads along the waterfront towards the city center. On the way you will learn exciting stories about the discovery of the island of Madeira and pirate raids. It goes past the Sao Laurence Palace into the city park of Funchal. Here you can take a short break in the shade of the trees. Right next door you can buy the famous Madeira wine in Blandey's Weinlodge - a nice reminder of the island. You then continue to follow the boulevard of the city and soon you are in front of the cathedral. On the way to the large market hall you will repeatedly come across the Calcada pavements, which show scenes from the history of Portugal and other motifs. The fish hall and the vegetable market are two highlights of the market hall. Rua Santa Maria with its brightly painted doors begins just below the market hall. The many restaurants and bars invite you to take a short break. The poncha, a typical Madeiran drink, is also offered in many bars. The tour takes in many more historical buildings and squares and ends at Santa Catarina Park just above the harbor.

This is a walking tour of 2:00h/2:30h where our local guide will show you the center of the city, the Catedral da Se, Traditional Farmers Market where you can see and try some tropical fruits. See the local fish and vegetables. Madeira Wine tasting with typical cake ''bolo de mel''. Also the Old town with painted doors, a old cookies and typical cake factory and Sao Tiago fortress. To end the tour you will be able to try the Madeira wine in a local old winery. Come with us and discover some of the highlights of Funchal and much more!

the picturesque view of the peaks Funchal `s Vibrant main market, the mercado dos lavradores, sells a colourful array of fish, exotic fruits and local crafts, Housed in a yellow building faced with azulejos, it was designed in the 1930´s by Edmundo Tavares.Flowers sellers in traditonal island costume have colonised the entrance to the market.Their stalls sell keenly priced cut flowers and bulbs tubs or delicate orchid blooms might tempt you to buy a souvenir of the island´s horticultural richness. In the fish hall, there are scenes to turn the stomach.If the razor sharp teeth and large staring eyes of th escabbard fish. For more pleasanter sights and frangances head for the upper floor, with its lavish displays of seasonal fruits and vegatables. A small fishing village. It is one of the island’s most atmospheric fishing villages. The village was named after monk seals which frequent visitors to the harbour. The centre of the village, with its whitewashed houses, shops and bar where you can taste the local drink poncha, remains instantly likeable. The stony beach is filled with colourful beached fishing boats .Winston Church choose this village to paint in 1949. If you want to sample some of the local wine, you will see huge barrels in the glass-fronted modern wine lodge, Henrique e Henrique. Dating from 1850, the lodge owns the largest vineyards on the island and produces some of the best madeira wines around. The Monte Toboggan are sliding in a wicker basket mounted on wooden runners, its is possible to cover the 2 km (1 mile) descent from Monte to Funchal in 10 Minutes.The Trip is made by Thousands every Year,Fascinated by the experience of traveling at speed down a public highway on a wooden sled. Ernest Hemingway once described it as "Exhilarating".A Cushioned seat softens the safe hands ride,and passengers inthe safe hands of the toboggan drivers, who push and sterr from the rear,using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. Madeiran Tobogganing was invented as a form of transportation in 1850

We start with a detailed visit to the local market with an exotic fruits tasting, then we head to a restaurant with an open kitchen where the chef will explain and demonstrate how he prepare the dishes. The creative chef begins by assembling vibrant, fresh ingredients, setting the stage for a visually stunning culinary masterpiece. With precision, he skilfully chops, slices and dices, infusing each movement with artistic flair creating a symphony of enticing aromas, captivating everyone in the room. As he combines flavours, the chef explains the thoughtful balance and unique twists that elevate each dish. An experience worth to have!

Lets go wander through streets filled with colonial architecture, immersing yourself in the echoes of a bygone era. Explore the cradle of Madeira's wine industry, tasting the exquisite flavors that have enchanted for centuries. Interact with the friendly locals at the vibrant markets, witnessing the island's authentic culture firsthand. Trust our certified company for a safe, professional and unforgettable journey through Funchal's historic tapestry. Book your tuk-tuk tour today and embark on a remarkable adventure deep into the captivating history of the city of Funchal. Here is some of the places that you will see -São João do Pico Fortress -Museu Quinta das Cruzes -Sé Cathedral de Nossa Senhora -Mercado dos Lavradores -Fort São Tiago -Old Town -Complexo Balnear da Barreirinha -Viewpoint Rua de Santa Maria -Vila Guida Viewpoint -Central garden -Funchal city hall and much more... -We do pick up and drop off at hotels in the Funchal area, or by mutual agreement. -Pick up of customers inside the Port/Pier of Funchal only with advance notice of 48h and the extra payment of 6€ (Madeira Port Rules and Laws) -A minimum of 2 passengers per tour. -Entrance fees or experiences in public or private spaces that are paid are not included in the price of the tour.

We'll pick you up if you at a requested location to visit one of the local farmers market on Pest side which is renowned for its organic and home-made delicacies and experience how we do our daily shopping. Walking in a local neighborhood for a bite at the butchers' for a sausage and salami or a selection of cheese Taste popular street-food like 'lángosh', 'rétes' and 'chocolate snail' :-) We'll and end up in a local tavern for a bowl of Hungarian gulash Other things to note: Come with an empty stomach Options for allergies are possible. Dress as weather suits and as you will feel comfortable for 2,5-3 hours. We will optionally use pubic transportation. Tour ends at a different destination we can take you back to your hotel if requested