Car hire in Funchal
1 office in Funchal · airport pick-up · Portugal
Funchal spills down an amphitheatre of green mountains above the Atlantic: Madeira's capital blends a tropical market, centuries-old wine lodges and a cable car up to the gardens of Monte. But the island is far more than its capital, and its most astonishing landscapes — peaks above the clouds, lava pools, laurel forest — are scattered along mountain roads.
On Madeira a car multiplies the trip: the island buses are scarce and the levadas, those footpaths running alongside irrigation channels, begin in remote spots. Collect your vehicle at Funchal-Madeira airport and you start exploring the island from the very first minute, with no need for organised excursions.
Car hire at Funchal Airport →Search cars in FunchalWhy hire a car in Funchal
- The trailheads of the most famous levadas, such as the 25 Fontes, lie deep in the mountains with no useful public transport.
- The island's modern roads and tunnels let you cross from coast to coast in under an hour: a different landscape every day.
- Pick-up at Funchal-Madeira airport skips the transfer to the capital and lets you choose accommodation anywhere on the island.
Day trips near Funchal
- Pico do Arieiro — A viewpoint at 1,800 metres, often above a sea of clouds, and the starting point for the trek to Pico Ruivo, around 40 minutes away.
- Porto Moniz — Natural lava swimming pools at the northwestern tip, reached by a spectacular road of cliffs and waterfalls, around 1 hour away.
- Santana — The triangular thatched-roof houses and access to the Queimadas forest park, deep in laurel forest, around 45 minutes away.
- Cabo Girão — One of Europe's highest cliffs, with a glass-floored skywalk suspended over the sea, around 20 minutes away.
Where to pick up your car
- Aeropuerto de Funchal-Madeira
Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.
Frequently asked questions
Is driving on Madeira difficult?
The expressways are excellent, but the secondary roads have very steep gradients and tight bends. It's worth choosing a car with a decent engine — better not the smallest in the range — and using engine braking on the descents.
Where do I park in Funchal?
The centre is dense with steep streets: the most convenient options are the public underground car parks by the market and the marina. Many hotels have their own spaces; confirm when booking your accommodation.
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