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”. 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 cruise vacation with MSC Cruises, your luxury cruise ship will also call in at this exquisite vacation destination. 

MSC is renowned for offering some of the best cruise vacation 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.