Funchal Tours
Old Funchal Walking Tour
4.5

Old Funchal Walking Tour

By History Tellers
Recommended by 94% of travelers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 3-85, max of 10 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: German, English
More


  • Driver/guide
  • Tour escort/host
What's not included
  • Transportation to/from attractions


Start:
  • Jesuit College of Funchal, R. dos Ferreiros Estrada, 9000-082 Funchal, Portugal
    Inside of Madeira University Rectory, Rua dos Ferreiras next to D' Oliveiras Madeira Wine.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 10440P2

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 10440P2

    From
    $16.68
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • R. dos Ferreiros Estrada, 9000-082 Funchal, Portugal
      Inside of Madeira University Rectory, Rua dos Ferreiras next to D' Oliveiras Madeira Wine.
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • History Tellers
      360
      Funchal, Portugal
      Joined in May 2015
    • Sightsee24677630095
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Canceled
      Was canceled several days before without explanation. No communication regarding rescheduling. Simply received a refund. Shame.
      Written October 3, 2024
    • David F
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fabulous and fascinating
      Terrific guided tour courtesy of our guide, Len, a university gap-year student. Highly recommended, and a first-rate tour.
      Written September 18, 2024
    • LesleyB1589
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic Guide
      Fantastic Guide and a very worthwhile few hours! Learnt so much about Funchal and Lidia was amazing! Her professionalism and knowledge was fantastic and we learnt so much. So enjoyed it. Would highly recommend!!
      Written June 10, 2024
    • Meander278697
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A great tour
      An excellent tour with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Cannot recommend this tour enough. Probably my 15th visit to madiera and I still learnt a load of things.
      Written April 24, 2024
    • mamaspy
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Good value walking tour
      A really good tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and held our interest. Great value for money, so if you want to learn about Funchal this is the ideal tour.
      Written March 13, 2024
    • Aine B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An interesting & worthwhile experience!
      A wonderful & informative experience! Sabrine was extremely knowledgeable. Her English was excellent & she gave us a lot of information & tips for future visits. We both thoroughly enjoyed our walk & will most certainly do another guided tour when we next visit the island. The fact that these young people do this work (not for profit) to raise funds to help students who need support is an example of the care & generosity of the youth of today. Thankyou for an excellent tour.
      Written February 7, 2024
    • Quest320729
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent tour to get to know the city while supporting a good cause
      Excellent experience. Interesting two-hour walk in which you learn a lot about the history, but in a fun way. My guide, Sabrin Guichard, was very knowledgable and she shared a lot of legends and interesting little facts. Also took me to some lesser-known locations that are well worth a visit (courtyards and gardens of churces, cloisters and museums that are free to enter, without a guide I would not have known this). Also, the proceeds of these tours go to initiatives that help univerity students who are struggling financially. Whilst learning about the city, you are also supporting a good cause!
      Written January 30, 2024
    • guyswark
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Enjoyable insight into the history of Madeira and it’s sugar and wine trade.
      This was a fascinating tour into the history and importance of sugar and wine to Madeira. My tour guide was Julia and her enthusiasm throughout the tour was evident with many insights into some of the buildings and churches near the old town and administrative area. Great value and most enjoyable.
      Written January 29, 2024
    • Q4962VGsusanw
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Very enjoyable and educational
      Very informative guide. We were glad to contribute to supporting the less well off university students too. Saw some places that were unknown to friends who have been coming fir 20 years!
      Written January 29, 2024
    • Jacqueline C
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent guided walk around the old town of Funchal
      Mina was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Funchal. We learned a lot from our guided walk.
      Written January 27, 2024
    • Q8139BDsheilas
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sugar and Wine a perfect combination
      My guide was Julia. She was punctual and although I was the only customer and despite the torrential rain, Julia was happy to proceed with the tour. It lasted 2+ hours. Julia was extremely polite and attentive. We visited Cathedrals, Churches , Sugar Museum, Blandy's and government buildings. I left knowing lots more about the sugar and wine industry and how they developed through the centuries. There were many highlights, seeing the sugar loaves was just one. Finally we finished with some free Madeiran wine tasting. An excellent tour.
      Written January 19, 2024
    • maimurray
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Walking tour
      I thought that a company called Maderian heritage would employ guides from Madeira. While the guide I had was excellent , it’s not the same as having a local taking about his/her own place. Also this tour worked out very expensive as I paid the agent running the tour and then felt obliged to give the volunteer guides more money. Sent from my iPhone
      Written December 16, 2023
    • 987vaidaz
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Cancelling tours, rude communication
      They cancel the tours without informing you in advance. I have ordered the Mysteries of Funchal tour, arrived at the agreed timing only to find out that the tour was cancelled. The lady suggested a replacement to Old Town Tour, that was out of my interest. When asked, why they don’t inform in advance, the response was that everyone is happy with replacement. Oh boy. If your schedule is tight and you have a specific demand to get a particular tour, better to contact them a day in advance for repeated confirmation. The tone of communication was rude. “If it was the only thing I am doing” was the response why nobody could inform me at least few hours in advance.
      Written November 28, 2023
    • 99tp100
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Very interesting tour
      Zoe was a great tour guide. She went at just the right pace, walking and talking us through all the interesting parts of Funchal.
      Written November 25, 2023
    • 374elkeh
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent
      Very enjoyable and informative. We learnt a lot and found some unusual places. I would definitely recommend this tour.
      Written November 23, 2023
    See all 360 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles209 reviews
    Excellent
    172
    Very good
    25
    Average
    7
    Poor
    2
    Terrible
    3

    laura1054
    London, UK16 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I generally like doing these types of walks in any city I visit, gives little insights that you may not get otherwise. This is a nice project the Erasmus students scheme with young people in the EU volunteering on different projects. Any money goes into supporting students with fees etc. Ends at the university offices with a glass of Maderia.
    Written January 3, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Andy C
    Edinburgh, UK29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2022 • Couples
    Very good way to get familiar with Funchal.
    Our tour guide, Julia, was excellent. A native Nederlander doing a 10month voluntary position at Madeira Uni, she ran through the history like a native of Madeira.
    The interiors of the cathedral and the Jesuit college are stunning. I would thoroughly recommend this tour to find out a bit more about Funchal.
    Written June 23, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    lightningsprite
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2021 • Solo
    Wonderfully informative walk round old funchal. Roberto was very friendly and communicated very well. I learned a lot about the history of Madeira, and tried my first poncha! I also discovered the fruit of the monsters deliciosa which certainly lived up to its name. The churches we visited were stunning.
    I would recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys walking, wants to know more about the history of Madeira and enjoy the company of a very friendly and knowledgeable guide.
    Written July 23, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    frances771
    Glasgow, UK28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were made very welcome at the meeting point which was a part of the university i
    Of Funchal,
    We were welcomed by our guide Anastasia who is Polish from Krakow.
    Her english is excellent and as luck would have it we were the only 2 on the walk which made it a very personal experience.
    Anastasia was very friendly and informative. She took us to parts of the city which we would not have found on our own and spoke of the history of the area .
    I would throughly recommend this walk as it was definately a very interesting insight to the city of Funchal and to the island of Madeira
    Written September 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Rob
    Apeldoorn, The Netherlands17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2021 • Solo
    In two hours time much information about historical and cultural backgrounds of the city of Funchal and the Island of Madeira. Tour guides are well informed, friendly and respectfull international volunteers. Easy walk, lots of interesting elements discovered.
    Written September 2, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Gill G
    Kent, UK39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a lovely tour of Funchal old town with Julia today. It was very informative and interesting and the two hours passed by in a flash. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it if you like finding out about local history and enjoy a relaxing walk around a city.
    Julia was a great guide and we understand that she is sadly returning home soon and will undoubtedly be greatly missed (thanks again Julia).
    Written July 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    fishcalledwanda
    Chester, UK57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went for a tour with Katla earlier. Tour took around two hours and we were shown a lot of sites in the old town, things we never would have noticed. She was very knowledgeable and had many interesting conversations about the history of Madeira but also history in other parts of the world. She clearly has an interest and love of history and we thoroughly enjoyed her company and the tour which was very relaxed and not rushed at all. Would recommend!
    Written January 8, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    nancynb06
    Fredericton, Canada333 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023 • Friends
    We were absolutely delighted with our walking tour sponsored by Madeira History Tellers. Our guide, Eliana, was articulate, knowledgeable and personable. We learned a great deal both from her planned presentation and her thoughtful answers to our questions. Our group size was only four so we felt especially lucky, but I understand this company sets a max of 10 which was one of the reasons we chose it.
    Just a word of caution re finding the start location. We were driving in o Funchal from a half hour away but the address we entered as per the Email confirmation did not get us to the start location. I suggest you et your navigation for the Jesuit College of Funchal by name and not the street address if you are driving!

    However, we managed to make it and were so happy we did. Highly recommend!
    Written April 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Vim
    Enfield, UK198 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2022
    The cost of the tour is all put back into the university and for the students which is amazing.

    We were guided by Julia and she had a wealth of knowledge not only of Funchal but also of the local food and drink. We are vegetarian and she was able to advise us where to eat.

    The tour lasted just under 2 hours and covered a lot of the city at a gentle pace. We went to areas that I would never have known about or visited. Julia gave us lots of information and was able to answer all my questions. She really knows stuff.
    Written November 16, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jill S
    York, UK3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023 • Couples
    We thoroughly enjoyed this walking tour. Our informative & interesting young guide, Clare, lead us through the history & culture of the City showing us places we would have never found ourselves. We highly recommend it.
    Written March 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Showing results 1-10 of 188

    Old Funchal Walking Tour provided by History Tellers

    All things to do in Funchal
    Day Trips in Funchal
    RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars