When your European cruise itinerary includes the port of Funchal, Madeira cruise excursions are available for city sights, panoramic drives, off-road adventures, marine safaris, and tastings of the island’s world-renowned wine.
To uncover the delights of Madeira, cruise excursions that start with a cable car ride to an impressive ascent of almost 2,000 feet are a great way to go. As your gondola rises, you’ll have a spectacular view of the city, sea, harbor, and your cruise ship. At the top, in the town of Monte, you can tour the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, filled with an international variety of exotic plants and a central lake dotted with swans and ducks. If you choose a different excursion, you’ll enjoy a traditional wicker toboggan ride down a smooth, paved hill to the town of Livramento.
In addition, each excursion offers an opportunity to visit Funchal’s Mercado dos Lavradores, a farmers’ market filled with colorful flowers sold by traditionally dressed women, fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, seafood, and leather and wicker goods. From your cruise to Funchal, you’ll also have opportunities to sample the legendary Madeira wine.
For more active and eco-friendly sightseeing perfect for families and nature lovers, book Funchal shore excursions that offer guided off-road adventures. Hop into a 4x4 that takes you out of the city and up into the hills to explore the unspoiled highlands. If water exploration is more your style, set off in a Zodiac for a water safari to spot whales and dolphins led by a marine biologist. You’ll hear fascinating facts about their behavior and the hows and whys of their visits to the North Atlantic waters around Madeira.
Take in incredible views of the sea and surrounding landscape from the top of a seaside cliff that rises almost 2,000 feet above sea level on Madeira cruise excursions to Cabo Girão, the second-highest seaside cliff in the world. Stroll the lovely village of Camara de Lobos, where Sir Winston Churchill spent time painting the beautiful scenery. You’ll enjoy poncha, a favorite local drink of rum and honey. Then, see the sea cliff from a water perspective as you board a yacht for a breezy sail along the southern coastline of Madeira.
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