Festival weekend planner
Festa do Vinho da Madeira — a 3-day weekend in Madeira
September. Funchal, Portugal. 25 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Funchal
Land at Madeira Airport (FNC), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Festa do Vinho da Madeira
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Madeira
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Funchal
Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.
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Where to eat
Tasca do Gino
€€Beloved Funchal tasca with traditional Madeiran dishes and excellent house wines
Must try: Espetada (beef skewer over bay laurel fire)
More dining picks in Madeira →Practical
- Nearest airport
- Madeira Airport (FNC)
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
Skip the crowded Funchal waterfront tastings and head to Câmara de Lobos where producers pour from their own quintas—you'll taste 20+ year-old Tinta Negra and Bual directly from family cellars. The volcanic terroir tastes completely different when you're standing in the vineyards where it's grown.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Madeira itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Madeira trip →