Flights to Funchal will arrive at Funchal Airport which is located in Santa Cruz. This is a smaller airport, but it still has most of the desirable amenities that passengers enjoy. There are numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants. Passengers waiting for Funchal flights can enjoy free Wi-Fi Internet access and those who patronize the VIP lounges can use Internet terminals, fax machines, and telephones to handle any last-minute business. If you are interested in cheap flights to Funchal you can check with any of the low-cost airlines that fly to this airport.

Funchal Airport has a free express bus that you can use to travel to and from the facility, all you simply do is show the driver your boarding pass to ride. You can also rent a car from the airport, but it is best to arrange the car hire when you book your airfare to Funchal. This will ensure you have a car available when you land. To get around town you can use the city buses, and there are pre-paid Giro cards that you can buy downtown to use for fares. You can tour most of the city by foot as well.

The Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Park is home to the Jardins Do Palheiro, a series of beautiful gardens surrounding a private British colonial manor. The gardens include a Rose Garden, Ladies Garden, and Sunken Garden among others. While tourists are not allowed inside the manor there is a lovely Tea House on the grounds that serves tea and confectionary treats to visitors. Other natural sites of interest are the local Madeira Botanical Gardens and Monte Palace Hotel Gardens. If you are interested in older religious sites you may want to visit the Santa Clara Convent, Sé Cathedral, and the Colegio Church which is a historic Jesuit temple that was built in the mid-1600s.

By far the most popular things to buy in this city are wine, flowers, and fruit. You should always check with airport authorities to see what produce is legal to bring back to your country. Mercado Dos Lavradores is the huge local market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables as well as freshly caught fish. This market also has some very nice cafés to get a bit of coffee or a pastry while you shop. The cuisine in Funchal is always fresh and local dishes are made mostly from fish and vegetables or fruits. Espada com banana is a popular local meal made from scabbard fish and bananas. Codfish in cream sauce is another local delicacy.