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If you’re someone who struggles to pick between a city break and a green getaway with plenty of nature, then we’ve got just the destination for you.
Madeira, an archipelago in Portugal is often hailed as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ thanks to the beautiful weather, dramatic scenery and volcanic origins.
Its capital city, Funchal, offers the best of both worlds for those who enjoy cosmopolitan city living, but also want to be awed by beautiful beaches, mountains and parks.
And the great news is, Brits just got another way to travel to the fascinating spot as easyJet has launched cheap new direct flights from London Luton Airport, with prices starting from just £38.99.
The new route from London Luton will operate twice each week throughout the summer, with flights available on Mondays and Fridays. However, in 2026, this will change to Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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Got your attention? Keep reading to find out more about the breathtaking city that could be your next holiday spot…
How to get to Funchal from the UK
As well as the new flights from London Luton Airport, the budget airline also offers flights to Funchal from Bristol, Gatwick and Manchester airports.
The flights from London Luton to Funchal take three hours and 55 minutes.
What’s the weather like in Funchal and when is the best time to visit?
According to easyJet, it can by pretty foggy in Funchal first thing in the morning, but this clears up by the afternoon so the sun can shine through.
In the summer months, the sun doesn’t set until 9pm, so you’ve got plenty of time each day to make the most of the glorious weather.
The Met Office explains that the city experiences year-round warmth, but like any holiday hotspot, the summer months are the best time to go if you’re looking for hot temperatures.
The weather experts say: ‘The summer months are perfect if you are looking for sunshine and temperatures which are hot, but not too hot. July and August are the warmest, sunniest and driest months.
‘During the winter, temperatures drop slightly although they are still very warm by UK standards during this time of year. Weather systems occasionally affect the island, mainly outside of the summer months; bringing cloudier skies and some rainfall from time to time.’
The average daily maximum temperature in July is 25.5C and in August it’s 26.4C.
This drops to a daily average maximum temperature of 19C in January and 18.8C in February.
Things to do in Funchal
You certainly won’t struggle to find things to fill your time during a trip to Funchal, from enjoying pretty beaches, to taking cable car rides up the mountains, picnicking in the parks, shopping in the city, perusing food markets and tucking into delicious delicacies.
The most popular beaches are Praia Formosa and Calheta. The former is the largest public beach the city offers and is actually a complex made up of four beaches.
Located in west Funchal, a 10-minute drive from the city centre, you’ll find a mixture of pebbles and dark sand here and it’s a good option for those who want to go swimming or surfing. Nearby, you’ll also find the Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools and lidos.
For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking trails to follow, with the Levada trails being the most popular. Levadas are irrigation channels, so you’ll follow along these as you walk. The 4.3 km long Levada das 25 Fontes takes around three hours and Tripadvisor users claim it’s a ‘beautiful’ walk with lots of waterfalls and stunning viewpoints.
Some of these trails will cross through the Laurissilva Forest, an UNESCO heritage site, which is a subtropical rainforest that’s about 20 million years old.
For those seeking more of a thrill, you can take a cable car ride and there are two options – the botanical garden cable car and the Funchal to Monte ride. At the parish of Monte, those looking to get back down into the city quickly can take a toboggan ride in one of the Monte sledges, made from wicker and wood. The route spans around two kilometres and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Funchal is also home to beautiful gardens, including the aforementioned botanical garden and Monte Palace Tropical Garden home to thousands of exotic plants.
Culture lovers will have plenty to absorb, with an abundance of art and history to explore in the city itself. There are monuments and various museums including the Natural History Museum of Funchal, the Museum of Sacred Art of Funchal, the A Cidade do Açúcar Museum, and the Funchal Electricity Museum. There’s even a museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo’s football trophies.
Gastronomy is taken very seriously in Funchal, with around 1,000 restaurants in the capital, with 11 of these being in the Michelin guide and several having stars. Be sure to check out a food market while you’re there.
Local specialities include Espetada which are skewers of beef, marinated and grilled over laurel wood. Bolo do Caco, a round flatbread made with sweet potato, often served with garlic butter, is also popular, as well as Lapas (grilled limpets) and Espada, a black scabbardfish, often served with banana.For something sweet, order honey cake or Malassadas, a type of sweet donut.
Wine is also a big deal in Madeira, with more than 30 varieties – the most popular are Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malvasia – as well as Terrantez and Tinta Negra. Sip a glass in the sunshine, while looking out over the sea after a day swimming, hiking or exploring. You’ve earned it.
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