Wine Tasting Without a Rental Car
Don't want to drive? No problem. Funchal's best wine lodges are walking distance from most hotels, and excellent tour options include hotel pickup. Here's how to explore Madeira wine car-free.
Walking Distance in Funchal
Three excellent wine lodges are within easy walking distance in central Funchal. You could visit all three in a single afternoon if you wanted!
Blandy's Wine Lodge
- Most visited lodge
- Historic cellars
- Multiple tasting tiers
D'Oliveiras
- Vintage wine specialist
- Intimate atmosphere
- Century-old stocks
H.M. Borges
- Family-owned
- Traditional experience
- Good value tastings
Suggested Walking Route
Total walking: ~15 minutes. Allow 3-4 hours for tastings at all three.
Tours with Hotel Pickup
Want to visit vineyards or explore outside Funchal? These tour operators will pick you up from your hotel and handle all the logistics.
Private Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup
A driver/guide picks you up from your hotel and takes you to multiple wine lodges and viewpoints.
4-6 hours
Includes:
- Hotel pickup/dropoff
- 2-3 wine lodge visits
- Scenic viewpoints
- English-speaking guide
Best for: Small groups wanting variety
Group Wine Tour
Join other travelers on a shared minibus wine tour with pickup from central Funchal hotels.
4-5 hours
Includes:
- Central pickup points
- 2 wine lodge visits
- Some scenic stops
- Professional guide
Best for: Solo travelers and budget-conscious
Wine & Island Combo Tour
Full-day tours combining wine tastings with island highlights like Monte, Câmara de Lobos, or Nun's Valley.
7-8 hours
Includes:
- Full day sightseeing
- Wine tasting included
- Lunch option
- Major attractions
Best for: First-time Madeira visitors
Public Transport Options
Henriques & Henriques (Câmara de Lobos)
Take bus #154 or #155 from Funchal (20 min). The lodge is a 5-minute walk from Câmara de Lobos center. Combine with seafood lunch in this charming fishing village.
Bus Route AvailableMonte Cable Car + Wine
Take the cable car to Monte, enjoy the gardens, ride the famous toboggan down, then walk to Blandy's in central Funchal for wine tasting. A perfect car-free day!
Popular ComboLocal Tip: Taxi Day Hire
Funchal taxis can be hired by the hour (~€25-30/hour). A friendly driver can create a custom wine tour for less than organized tours. Agree on price beforehand.
Budget OptionHotel Concierge
Most hotels can arrange private transfers to wine lodges. Ask your concierge – they often have partnerships with reliable drivers and can negotiate good rates.
ConvenientNeed Help Planning?
Tell us where you're staying and what you'd like to experience. We'll suggest the best car-free options for your trip.
Get Personalized Advice