Funchal Food & Wine Tour: Madeira Bites, Poncha & Market Walk

Summary

Wander Funchal’s streets tasting Madeira wine, pork sandwiches and poncha with a local guide

You’ll wander Funchal’s lively streets with a local guide, tasting Madeira wine (both Sercial and Malmsey), sampling marinated pork sandwiches with beer, sipping poncha, and trying fresh market fruits. Expect laughter over new flavors, stories behind every bite, and small surprises—like artisan chocolates or that perfect view down an alleyway you wouldn’t find alone.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—ripe fruit and something sweet drifting out from Mercado dos Lavradores. Our guide, João, waved us over to a stall stacked with passionfruit and these odd spiky bananas (I still can’t remember the name). He handed me a slice of something orange and tart—said it only grows here. I took a bite before he finished explaining. The place buzzed with locals buying flowers or just chatting in bursts of Portuguese that sounded like laughter half the time.

We ducked into a tiny bar next for our first sip of Madeira wine. Sercial, João said, is the dry one—he raised his glass and grinned like he’d heard that joke before. It tasted sharp at first but mellowed out if you let it linger. There was this old couple at the next table dunking bread in marinated pork sauce—João ordered us some too. I’m not usually big on pork but that mix of spices and soft bread soaked in sauce… honestly, I kept reaching for more even though I told myself I wouldn’t.

Somewhere between the wine stops we tried poncha—a punchy drink made with honey and lemon that kind of hits your nose before your tongue. I coughed (quietly) but João just laughed and poured another round for anyone brave enough. We wandered through side streets after that, nibbling on chocolates from an artisan shop and then these little baked sweets dusted with sugar. By then my head was fuzzy in a good way, like after swimming in warm sun.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the seasonal fruit tasting as much as I did—there’s something about eating mango while watching people haggle over fish two stalls away. It felt less like a tour and more like tagging along with someone who knows every shortcut in Funchal. Even now, sometimes when I smell citrus or hear Portuguese on the radio back home, it takes me right back there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Food and wine tasting in Funchal

• Visit Farmer’s Market
• Taste Madeira fortified wines
• Try marinated pork with local bread
• Sample local beer
• Enjoy artesanal chocolates
• Taste local baked sweets
• Drink Barbusano white wine with crostinis
• Try Poncha
• Taste seasonal fruit
• Sample tuna, fried cornmeal, Brisa Maracujá

Top questions

What foods are included on the Funchal food & wine tour?

You’ll try Madeira wines (Sercial and Malmsey), marinated pork with local bread, artisanal chocolates, baked sweets, crostinis with Barbusano white wine, poncha, seasonal fruits, tuna with fried cornmeal, and Brisa Maracujá.

Does this day trip include poncha tasting?

Yes, poncha is included as part of the tastings on this tour.

Is Mercado dos Lavradores part of the itinerary?

Yes—the tour visits Mercado dos Lavradores for fruit tastings and local color.

Are drinks included during the Funchal food tour?

Yes—all tastings include drinks such as Madeira wines, beer, poncha, white wine and Brisa Maracujá.

How big are the groups on this food & wine tour?

The group size is small for a more personal experience.

Is lunch provided during this Funchal food tour?

The tour includes several generous tastings which together make up a meal.

Is there a local guide throughout the day?

Yes—a knowledgeable local guide leads you through all stops in Funchal.

Are public transport options nearby for getting to the start point?

Yes—the meeting point is near public transportation options in Funchal.

What’s included

Your day includes all guided tastings: Madeira fortified wines (Sercial and Malmsey), marinated pork sandwiches with bread and beer, artisan chocolates, baked sweets, Barbusano white wine with crostinis, poncha drinks plus fresh fruit sampling—and everything is led by a friendly local guide so you won’t miss any flavor or story along the way.