Madeira (Funchal), Portugal

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

Madeira Botanical Gardens
Take a cable car from the harbor up to this 20-acre garden with more than 2,500 plant species including pineapple and coffee plants and flowers sowed in intricate patterns. The dense flora also shares space with exotic birds—and compete with the views for sheer beauty.

Centro das Artes Casa das Mudas
Walking through this Modernist bunker, tucked into a cliff, is like watching a double feature with both shows playing at the same time. On one wall, an excellent Man Ray exhibit might be on display; on the other, the tumbling green hills and blue sea make you feel as if the architect curated the natural world for your viewing pleasure.

Mercado dos Lavradores
Crates brimming with exotic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers spill into the narrow walkways that cut through the historic two-story Mercado dos Lavradores, which translates to Worker’s Market. Grab a coffee or gelado at one of the bordering outdoor cafés and try to identify the exotic produce before you.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.