Madeira: Food & Wine Walking Tour with Market Tastings

Summary

Sample Madeira’s flavors with a local guide through Funchal’s market stalls and bakeries

You’ll wander Funchal’s winding lanes with a local guide, tasting fresh fruit at the market, warm custard tarts from a bakery, chewy honey cake, and sipping madeira wine as you go. With every stop comes another story or laugh — it’s more like spending time with friends than ticking off sights.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide right by the old cobbled lane — I was still finishing my coffee when she grinned and handed us each a tiny pastel de nata, warm from the bakery. The first bite was flaky and sweet, with this faint lemon scent that kind of lingered on my fingers. I remember thinking, okay, if the whole food tour in Madeira is like this, I’m not skipping breakfast again. Our group was small — just six of us plus Ana (she grew up here), who somehow knew every shop owner by name.

The market was next. It’s louder than you’d expect at 10am; vendors calling out prices, someone slicing fruit with a practiced snap. We tried passionfruit that looked nothing like what I get at home — sharper, almost fizzy on my tongue. Ana explained how they use honey in everything here, even in the chewy honey cake we sampled later (I may have eaten two). She told us about her grandmother making it for Christmas — the way she said “bolo de mel” made me try to repeat it. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it.

I liked how nothing felt rushed. We stopped whenever someone wanted to peek into a shop or ask about some odd-looking cheese. At one point it started drizzling and Ana just pulled us under an awning with a cup of madeira wine each — sweet but not too heavy, perfect for that damp air. There’s something about sipping wine while people-watching in Funchal that sticks with you longer than you think. Even now I catch myself craving those cookies we had at the last stop… can’t remember the name but they were buttery and gone too fast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Madeira food and cultural tour

• Meet local tour guide
• Explore historic city center
• Learn about history and culture
• Visit local market
• Taste traditional honey cake and cookies
• Sample local custard tarts
• Enjoy Madeira wine and Portuguese tea

Top questions

Is this Madeira food & wine tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and transportation options are available.

Are drinks included on this Madeira food tour?

Yes, both alcoholic (like madeira wine) and non-alcoholic drink options are included.

How many people are needed for the tour to run?

A minimum of 4 participants is required for the activity to take place.

What kind of foods will I try on this Madeira food tour?

You’ll sample local fruit at the market, traditional honey cake and cookies, plus famous custard tarts.

Is lunch included in this Madeira culinary tour?

No full lunch is included but there are plenty of tastings throughout the walk.

Can infants join the tour? Are strollers allowed?

Yes, infants can join and strollers/prams are welcome on this tour.

If there aren’t enough people booked will I get refunded?

If minimum numbers aren’t met you’ll be offered rescheduling or a full refund.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings (fruit from the local market, honey cake, cookies, custard tarts), drinks including madeira wine or non-alcoholic options, guidance from a qualified local guide throughout Funchal’s historic center, plus personal insurance coverage during your walk.