Madeira Wine and Sugar Walking Tour: Explore Portugal's White Gold Economy History
4.9
21 Ratings
Funchal

Discover the economic history of Madeira through the ages. Understand why this island served as Portugal’s springboard for expansion and the significance of the term “White Gold”. Delve into the fascinating narrative of Madeira Wine.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Meet your guide at the “Naturalmente Português” - History Teller’s store located in the La Vie Shopping Center. This guided walking tour of Funchal lasts about 2 hours. Learn about the people of Madeira and how the island served as a strategic base for the Portuguese in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and their coastal regions for centuries. Discover the famous visitors to the island and their activities here. Explore Madeira Wine and its contributions to global history. Visit the cathedral and customs house of Funchal, funded by the sugar trade. Uncover one of the oldest tourist centers.

Points of Interest

  • Jesuit College of Funchal
What's Included
  • Private tour
  • Tour escort/host
  • Driver/guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Location
Jesuit College of Funchal
Rua dos Ferreiros Estrada
Inside of Madeira University Rectory, Rua dos Ferreiras next to D' Oliveiras Madeira Wine.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(21 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Lesleyb1589
Jun 10, 2024
Fantastic Guide - Fantastic Guide and a very worthwhile few hours! Learnt so much about Funchal and Lidia was amazing! Her professionalism and knowledge was fantastic and we learnt so much. So enjoyed it. Would highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meander278697
Apr 24, 2024
A great tour - An excellent tour with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Cannot recommend this tour enough. Probably my 15th visit to madiera and I still learnt a load of things.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mamaspy
Mar 13, 2024
Good value walking tour - A really good tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and held our interest. Great value for money, so if you want to learn about Funchal this is the ideal tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guyswark
Jan 29, 2024
Enjoyable insight into the history of Madeira and it’s sugar and wine trade. - This was a fascinating tour into the history and importance of sugar and wine to Madeira. My tour guide was Julia and her enthusiasm throughout the tour was evident with many insights into some of the buildings and churches near the old town and administrative area. Great value and most enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q8139bdsheilas
Jan 20, 2024
Sugar and Wine a perfect combination - My guide was Julia. She was punctual and although I was the only customer and despite the torrential rain, Julia was happy to proceed with the tour. It lasted 2+ hours. Julia was extremely polite and attentive. We visited Cathedrals, Churches , Sugar Museum, Blandy's and government buildings. I left knowing lots more about the sugar and wine industry and how they developed through the centuries. There were many highlights, seeing the sugar loaves was just one. Finally we finished with some free Madeiran wine tasting. An excellent tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6439wujadeb
Jan 12, 2024
Exactly what I was looking for to get to know Funchal - I really liked this guided tour of Funchal, where we discover the history, geography of the island, as well as the foundations of its economy on the cultivation of sugar cane and the production of Madeira wine ! These are students who provide the visit and they take great care to give us lots of explanations. The tour lasts 2 hours and you will visit several emblematic places in Funchal. Visit to the sugar museum and a Madeira wine cellar. No tasting included, but that was fine with me as that wasn't what I was looking for with this guided tour. At the end of the visit, you will be advised on a place where you can taste Madeira for free. It was an important visit to complete my trip to Madeira and get to know this magnificent island better! I had booked the visit on the site and I was the only one at this slot, I had a real in-depth visit all to myself and a privileged exchange with the guide (in English). Thanks again !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Boardingpass733559
Jul 30, 2023
Must do tour - An excellent tour, a real insight into the why and the how of what Madeira is today. Older teenage sons loved it, helps that they are doing history at school. Such a beautiful area and the churches are stunning. Our tour guide was a gem, he was packed with knowledge that he imparted with history jokes and story telling that made the whole tour really interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer
Apr 2, 2023
Great intro to Funchal! - We had a great tour with Eliana! She was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic - would definitely recommend this tour to others!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marian_g
Feb 6, 2023
Excellent way to spend 2 hours in Funchal - The guide from the History Tellers, the concept providing interesting walking tours to fund Madeiran students is wonderful. Our guide was a German gap year student who was excellent, very knowledgeable. We all enjoyed learning about the history of the sugar and wine trade in Madeira. I would recommend these walking tours if you want to find out about Funchal and the real Madeira.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabethdi646on
Feb 2, 2023
Excellent tour, as always - We have taken a walk with the History Tellers every year since they began. Although we have done each walk more than once, we learn something new every time. This walk was no exception and we heard lots of things we didn't know about Funchal! The young German chap who took us around was extremely knowledgeable and considerate. Looking forward to next year!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today