Explore on your own rating
Walkable town and a cable car up the hill.
Where ships dock
- Funchal cruise port (Pontinha pier)
Getting to town
Town is a 10–20 minute flat walk along the waterfront.
The Monte cable car station is 15–30 minutes' walk; the Monte toboggan ends partway down, so plan a ride back.
Fares are as reported by the sources below and change often. Treat them as estimates.
Money & entry
Currency: Euro (EUR).
Entry: U.S. passport required. ETIAS (the EU travel authorization) is NOT yet in operation: the official EU site says no applications are being collected and a start date will be announced several months ahead (checked Oct 2026). Don't pay any site claiming to sell ETIAS now. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) does register non-EU travelers' passports and biometrics at Schengen external borders. (Madeira and the Azores are part of Portugal and Schengen.)
Top sights nearby
- Monte cable car and toboggan
- Mercado dos Lavradores
- Old Town (Zona Velha)
- Cabo Girão skywalk (taxi)
Beaches
- Praia Formosa (pebbles)
Safety & tips
- Cable car queues can be long; go early.
- Try Madeira wine.
- Streets are steep.
Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before you sail.
⏰ Back to the ship on time
Allow 45 minutes from Monte.
Ship time can differ from local time. Your ship won't wait for independent travelers.