Funchal

The great Portuguese poet, playwright and author, Júlio Dinis famously described Funchal as; “The sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and warm, between its parents”.

A beautiful Mediterranean haven and the very soul of Portugal

The great Portuguese poet, playwright and author, Júlio Dinis famously described Funchal as; “The sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and warm, between its parents”.We can’t think of a prettier and more inviting introduction to this beautiful Mediterranean haven.

Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the very soul of Portugal.
Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered spot, which is set in a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant with flowers, rise above the pretty harbour to almost 1200 metres.

The magnificent bay of Funchal, with its glittering blue waters is home to the port, just a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Thanks to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been an important stopping point for ocean-going liners for many years and was an important port of call for the routes on cruise ships between Europe and Africa and America.

As part of your Mediterranean cruise vacation with MSCCruises, your luxury cruise liner will also call in at this exquisite holiday destination.

MSC Cruises is renowned for offering some of the best luxury cruise package deals around. Our shore excursions will take in the best that this cosmopolitan and attractive city has to offer with its lush parks, elegant boutiques shops and hotels.

Scenic excursions feature a unique basket ride down the mountainside.
Cruise to Funchal - Portugal - Mediterranean - MSC Cruises

Directions


The port is a 20-minute slightly uphill walk from the town centre. A taxi service is available from the dockside to the town centre.

Port average temperature

The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.

FUNCHALMonths
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high °C171718182022232524222018
Average low °C141314141517192020181615
 FUN01 - PICO DOS BARCELOS (approx. 3.5 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Tastings  This scenic tour takes in the local sugar cane fields and stops at the town of Pico dos Barcelos from where we can admire breathtaking views over the island of Madeira. Continue to Monte and visit to “Nossa Senora da Monte” church. We will indulge in the fun local past-time of toboggan riding as we take ride in a wicker chariot through the streets ! The pace changes at Livramento point where we will visit an embroidery factory. During the tour you will have the chance to sample some of the local Madeira liqueurs. Please note: the toboggan station may be crowded and it may be necessary to wait and/or queue before getting in. Comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended. This tour is not suitable for guests using a wheelchair.

Price per person $61.00 Adults $43.00 Children

   


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 FUN01WI - PICO DOS BARCELOS  (approx. 3.5 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Tastings  This scenic tour takes in the local sugar cane fields and stops at the town of Pico dos Barcelos from where we can admire breathtaking views over the island of Madeira. Continue to Monte and visit to “Nossa Senora da Monte” church. We will indulge in the fun local past-time of toboggan riding as we take ride in a wicker chariot through the streets ! The pace changes at Livramento point where we will visit an embroidery factory. During the tour you will have the chance to sample some of the local Madeira liqueurs. Please note: the toboggan station may be crowded and it may be necessary to wait and/or queue before getting in. Comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended. This tour is not available on 01.01.2014.

Price per person $59.00 Adults $41.00 Children

   


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 FUN02 - FAIAL (full day, lunch included) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Lunch or dinner included  Tastings  Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour  Starting out from the port of Funchal, the capital of the verdant island of Madeira, the tour first takes you to Terreiro de Luta, Poiso and Pico de Areeiro for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The excursion continues with a visit to a local trout farm in Ribeiro Frio – which means cold river in Portuguese – and a scenic drive through sugar cane plantations up to Faial, a pretty village located along Madeira’s northern coastline. The tour then continues on to Machico, a historical fishing village, before heading for Portela in the north of the island near Porto da Cruz. An enjoyable wine-tasting session awaits you here, one of the certain highlights of the tour. There will also be time to relax over a delicious lunch. Your tour comes to an end with your return to the ship. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $117.00 Adults $82.00 Children

   


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 FUN02WI - FAJAL (full day, lunch included) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Lunch or dinner included  Tastings  Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour  Starting out from the port of Funchal, the capital of the verdant island of Madeira, the tour first takes you to Terreiro de Luta, Poiso and Pico de Areeiro for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The excursion continues with a visit to a local trout farm in Ribeiro Frio – which means cold river in Portuguese – and a scenic drive through sugar cane plantations up to Faial, a pretty village located along Madeira’s northern coastline. The tour then continues on to Machico, a historical fishing village, before heading for Portela in the north of the island near Porto da Cruz. An enjoyable wine-tasting session awaits you here, one of the certain highlights of the tour. There will also be time to relax over a delicious lunch. Your tour comes to an end with your return to the ship. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $113.00 Adults $79.00 Children

   


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 FUN03 - EIRA DO SERRADO, MONTE & CABLE CAR (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Tastings  Shopping  An approx. 30-minute coach drive brings you to the town of Eira do Serrado for a short stop to look around. Perched at a height of 1,026 metres above sea level, the place offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and the village lying in Nun’s Valley below. Next up is the town of Monte, situated high in the hills, to visit the Catholic pilgrimage site of Nossa Senhora do Monte, a church with beautiful gardens full of the typical lush vegetation that thrives in Madeira’s exceptional microclimate. Be prepared for jaw-dropping views as you take the cable car down from Monte back to Funchal. This is a perfect opportunity to take photos and capture these special vistas for your memory book. There will also be time to shop, visit a local embroidery factory and participate in a wine-tasting session. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended. This tour is not suitable for guests using a wheelchair.

Price per person $62.00 Adults $43.00 Children

   


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 FUN03WI - EIRA DO SERRADO, MONTE & CABLE CAR (approx. 4 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Tastings  An approx. 30-minute coach drive brings you to the town of Eira do Serrado for a short stop to look around. Perched at a height of 1,026 metres above sea level, the place offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and the village lying in Nun’s Valley below. Next up is the town of Monte, situated high in the hills, to visit the Catholic pilgrimage site of Nossa Senhora do Monte, a church with beautiful gardens full of the typical lush vegetation that thrives in Madeira’s exceptional microclimate. Be prepared for jaw-dropping views as you take the cable car down from Monte back to Funchal. This is a perfect opportunity to take photos and capture these special vistas for posterity. There will also be time to shop, visit a local embroidery factory and participate in a wine-tasting session. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $60.00 Adults $42.00 Children

   


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 FUN04 - CABO GIRAO & RIBEIRA BRAVA (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Tastings  Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour  After first heading to the Pico da Torre vantage point for the panoramic view, the excursion then continues on up to Cabo Girão, which is the world’s second-highest cliff face. The outlook from the safety railings is out of this world and a great place from which to take photos, but is equally lovely from a little way back. After an opportunity to try the local speciality – a tasty cocktail called poncha – and take in the scenery, the final leg on the tour begins with a 1-hour drive to Ribeira Brava. Situated on the southwest of Madeira, the pretty little town is a hive of street cafés and shops. It is believed the town’s name derived from the wild (Brava) river (Ribeira) that once flowed through the area. Your tour concludes with your return to Funchal and the ship. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $49.00 Adults $34.00 Children

   


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 FUN04WI - CABO GIRAO & RIBEIRA BRAVA (approx. 4 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Tastings  Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour  After first heading to the Pico da Torre vantage point for the panoramic view, the excursion then continues on up to Cabo Girão, which is the world’s second-highest cliff face. The outlook from the safety railings is out of this world and a great place from which to take photos, but is equally lovely from a little way back. After an opportunity to try the local speciality – a tasty cocktail called poncha – and take in the scenery, the final leg on the tour begins with a 1-hour drive to Ribeira Brava. Situated on the southwest of Madeira, the pretty little town is a hive of street cafés and shops. It is believed the town’s name derived from the wild (Brava) river (Ribeira) that once flowed through the area. Your tour concludes with your return to Funchal and the ship. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $47.00 Adults $33.00 Children

   


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 FUN05 - DISCOVERING FUNCHAL (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: difficult  Panoramic Tour  Shopping  Your discovery tour of Funchal, the capital of Madeira, begins with a drive to the town of Monte and the mid-18th-century church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site, along with its beautiful gardens. Have your camera poised for the next leg: a ride on Madeira’s new cable car service from Monte to the island’s Botanical Gardens. Though short, the ride promises spectacular views of Funchal bay and the River João Gomes in a laurel-forested area of outstanding natural beauty. The lush vegetation found in the Botanical Gardens, including both indigenous and other varieties, comprises more than 2,000 plants. A chance to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of the local produce market is next, after which the tour draws to a close with a visit to a nearby embroidery factory. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended. This tour is not suitable for guests using a wheelchair.

Price per person $65.00 Adults $46.00 Children

   


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 FUN05WI - DISCOVERING FUNCHAL (approx. 4 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: difficult  Panoramic Tour  Shopping  Your discovery tour of Funchal, the capital of Madeira, begins with a drive to the town of Monte and the mid-18th-century church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site, along with its beautiful gardens. Have your camera poised for the next leg: a ride on Madeira’s new cable car service from Monte to the island’s Botanical Gardens. Though short, the ride promises spectacular views of Funchal bay and the River João Gomes in a laurel-forested area of outstanding natural beauty. The lush vegetation found in the Botanical Gardens, including both indigenous and other varieties, comprises more than 2,000 plants. A chance to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of the local produce market is next, after which the tour draws to a close with a visit to a nearby embroidery factory. Please note: comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.

Price per person $62.00 Adults $43.00 Children

   


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 FUN09WI - EXPLORING FUNCHAL BY 4X4 (approx. 4 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  No guide available  Joining this tour you will have the opportunity to discover truly unspoilt, peaceful and majestic areas of this island. Board a jeep and drive inland to one of the most beautiful forests areas of Funchal following routes that will take you on tracks meandering through mountains, across small rivers and valleys offering incredible views. As many stops will be foreseen on the way, this excursion is a perfect opportunity to take photos and capture these special vistas for your memory book. Explore the essential of the island passing through typical streets and protected environments hidden by the mountains of this volcanic island. Please note: this tour is not suitable for pregnant women, for guests using a wheelchair, with walking difficulties or suffering from neck/back problems. Children aged less than 13 years old cannot take part in this excursion. The driver will give explanations in English.

Price per person $83.00 Adults $58.00 Children

   


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 FUN10WI - WILDLIFE EXPLORATION BY BOAT (approx. 2.5 hours) - 2013/2014
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  No guide available  Join one of the most thrilling marine wildlife explorations in Madeira’s south coast. After a short briefing by a marine biologist you will board a boat to begin your unforgettable adventure, a very close observation of whales and dolphins. On your approx. 2 hours sailing you will immerse yourself in a world of natural beauty as our biologist will explain you the different aspects and curiousities of the species you will spot. Please note: this tour is for guests in good health and is not suitable for pregnant women or for guests suffering from neck/back problems. Children aged less than 11 years old cannot take part in this excursion. Information only in English. Whales and dolphin sightings are not guaranteed but success rate is above 90%. This excursion will be foreseen also in case of rain and calm sea.

Price per person $100.00 Adults $70.00 Children

   


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The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.