Madeira Island Travel Forum

We will be in Funchal for only one full day on November 5th as a cruise port.
We wanted to explore the main town, markets, etc. on our own for a few hours.
There is a company that offers a half day tour as follows:

Nun’s Valley – 2 persons at 19 each (lunch not included)
Funchal – Eira do Serrado – Curral das Freiras – Pico dos Barcelos – Funchal

Does that seem worthwhile to do for a few hours in the morning and then explore on our own for the afternoon? Any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks,
Marty

If you are only there for the day, make the most of it.
Take the tour and then visit the town, seems like a good plan.

Funchal is a typical provincial city/town - small, comfortable and very charming - which can be easily explored in a half a day. Wanting to do a bit more - say, a better part of the island - would be a different story, but still plausible and in this case, good idea to go on a tour. But Funchal alone is well within accessible doing it on your own, especially if you enjoy a leisurely exploration on foot. The two most pleasurable excursion in town I'd recommend would be a visit to the city's most colourful and exuberant market packed to the gills with suculent produce plus a separate hall given over to everything seafood, and the wine bodegas or wineries which are open to the public for tours and tasting. Be sure to bring your camera. There is a notable small museum in the town center with local paintings and religious relics which might interest you if you'll have time to spare. The tourist office will have all the info for you and can even arrange a tour guide if you so desire. Happy trails.

That looks a good price for a decent tour. If Pico dos Barcelos is the last part of the morning you will get a beautiful view ove Funchal prior to your afternoon exploration.
Good Luck

Hi there, you will realy not regret doing that tour because on your own for a day you will never see what this company can show you in half a day and 19 euros per person is really good. You can always have lunch at one of the many resturants that you will pass or at one of the little side cafes for next to nothing. I really hope you will enjoy your time here on our island.

Greetings

Wilma