Madeira

1. The port

2. on foot;

3. on foot with Audioguide

4. Shuttle buses

5. Taxis

6. Citysightseeing

7. public transport

8. Cable Car

9. Rental Cars

10. Bikes

11. The top sights

12. Excursion tips for Madeira

13. Book shore excursion

      13.1 Meine Landausflüge

      13.2 Get Your Guide

      13.3 Viator

Madeira is a green oasis in the middle of the Atlantic. This Portuguese island enjoys spring-like weather all year round; however, it is also possible to experience all four seasons in a single day. The island has a population of 250,000, with about 100,000 living in the capital, Funchal.

Funchal is very easy to explore on foot and on your own, as there is plenty to discover. We also highly recommend taking excursions into Madeira's stunning countryside. Since cruise ships in Funchal usually have very long port stays, you can easily combine an island tour with a stroll through the city.

Funchal has several berths for cruise ships. If your ship is scheduled to dock at Funchal Cais Sul, this refers to the long Cais da Pontinha pier. This pier can accommodate three medium-sized or two large cruise ships. The cruise terminal is also located on this pier, where you will find a tourist information office, several shops, and an internet lounge. At the base of the pier stands the Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Conceição fortress.

If Funchal Cais Norte is listed, the ship will dock at Berth 6 near the CR7 (Ronaldo) Museum. This berth is typically used by smaller vessels. There is also a newer docking spot directly at the Praça do Povo in the heart of the city center, although it is unfortunately rarely used.

Liegt das Schiff an der langen Mole, müsst Ihr erst einmal um den Hafen herum. Bis zum gegenüberliegenden Liegeplatz am Christiano Ronaldo Museum ist es ca. 1km. Bis zur Seilbahn auf den Monte ca. 2,5 km. Der Spaziergang ist sehr gut zu bewältigen. Vom gegenüberliegenden Liegeplatz ist es nur noch ein kleines Stück in die Stadt.

AOYO gives you the opportunity to explore Funchal on your own and at your own pace, without having to miss out on the expert knowledge of experienced tour guides. Our audio-guided city tour features 18 stations covering Funchal’s most important sights and landmarks.

Getting started is easy: simply download the AOYO App to your smartphone and enter your download code after purchasing the audio guide. Once downloaded, you can use the guide offline and with unlimited access throughout your stay.

Wenn Shuttlebusse eingesetzt werden halten diese in der Nähe des Ritz Cafés. Üblicherweise werden Tagestickets angeboten, mit denen man den Service mehrfach nutzen kann.

Taxis are available right at the pier. Trips from the pier into the city center are offered at a fixed price, currently €7.50. Many drivers also offer longer island tours with pre-set routes: a four-hour tour currently costs €85, while a full-day tour is offered for €140. 

• Taxi Madeira
• Your Taxi Madeira
• Daniel Madeira Taxi
• Madeira Island Taxis

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Typical red Hop-On Hop-Off buses also operate in Funchal. Unlike in most other cities, these buses do not start directly at the cruise port. According to GetYourGuide, the starting point is located at the Avenida do Mar. You can purchase your tickets online in advance here.

The company Yellow Bus Tours offers combo tickets that combine the classic city tour with a visit to the village of Câmara de Lobos and the Cabo Girão Skywalk.

Funchal has a public bus network, though it is important to note that the intercity buses are operated by several different companies. Each company serves a different region of Madeira, so planning your own route across the island can be quite complex. The company Horários do Funchal is responsible for the city itself and the immediate surrounding areas. You can check their website to see which bus lines will take you to the various sights and attractions.

The lower station of the cable car is located near the market hall; it will take you up to Monte. From the upper station, you can take a second cable car to reach the Botanical Garden. In Monte, you can visit the pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora do Monte. For the return trip to Funchal, we highly recommend a ride on the famous wicker toboggans—it is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The starting point for the toboggans is located just below the church.

Unfortunately, none of the car rental companies based in Funchal have an office directly at the cruise port. However, the company Auto Rent A Car will deliver a vehicle to the pier upon request. Both Sixt and Avis have offices located approximately 800 meters from the pier.

If you prefer to stay active, Baja Bikes is the perfect choice for you. Here, you can either rent bicycles or book guided city tours with local. 

Madeira is an extremely popular travel destination. In addition to cruise ships docking here, Funchal attracts many day-trippers and long-term holidaymakers staying on the island. As a result, long queues can form at the top attractions, or tickets may only be available for specific time slots. For the following sights, we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets or timed entry slots in advance:

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Madeira can be explored very well independently. Here you can see the highlights awaiting you.

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

• Small group sizes  
• Punctual return guarantee  
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from/to the port  
• Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations  
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)

With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.

Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for travel experiences. The platform provides travelers with access to more than 300,000 activities, including guided tours, day trips, attraction tickets, and exclusive experiences in thousands of destinations worldwide. A key advantage for users is the millions of authentic traveler reviews that help in making informed choices. 

Viator is known for its high flexibility:

• offering free cancellation on many bookings up to 24 hours in advance.
• Additionally, the "reserve now, pay later" option provides financial freedom during trip planning. 

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