Are you a wine lover, or just curious? We recommend a visit to Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal. Nestled in the heart of the old town, the Musée du Vin offers an insight into local know-how through guided tours and tastings. We were surprised by the unique flavours of Madeira’s famous wines!
You’ll also find useful tips and photos to help you plan your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is a visit to Funchal’s Wine Museum worthwhile?
Absolutely, it’s a must-do in Funchal! Located in a historic building in the old town, Blandy’s Wine Lodge immersed us in the world of Madeira wines through an organized tour. Discover the secrets of the island’s grape varieties and indulge in the local flavors.
What you can see
The building’s traditional façade
Before you even enter the Blandy’s Wine Lodge grounds, position yourself at the Jardin Municipal de Funchal to observe the entire museum façade. Its traditional architecture conceals an inner courtyard, as well as rental accommodation. Appart’hôtel The Wine Lodges is part of the same building. Tempted by a night or two over Madeira wine barrels? – See prices, photos and availability.
The inner courtyard
Although access to the inner courtyard is free, only an organized tour will allow you to explore the museum’s interior and discover the wine barrel storage areas. A little haven of peace tucked away in the heart of old Funchal, we were won over by its picturesque character and typical atmosphere.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Madeira wine barrels
As you stroll through the inner courtyard, you’ll come across wine barrels in some of the cobbled lanes. Enjoy the peaceful ambience of this place steeped in history, and imagine the secrets these imposing barrels hold! During our guided tour, we learned more about Madeira’s wine history and production secrets. You can also visit the Madeira Story Center, which also deals with this subject.
The vintage room
As its name suggests, this room is used to store the rarest and oldest Madeira wines from the Blandy’s brand. Oenophiles will even be able to taste some of the great vintages dating back to the early 20th century. Once again, we were charmed by the atmosphere of this space, with its large wooden shelves loaded with quality bottles.
Vintage machines
As you wander through the narrow aisles of the inner courtyard, you’ll see machines and tools related to the world of wine. They reinforce the authentic character of the place, while adding a great deal of cachet. Unfortunately, we haven’t had any further information about their usefulness or operation.
Trompe-l’oeil azulejos
Like many other iconic buildings in Funchal, the walls of Blandy’s Wine Lodge are decorated with azulejos. However, this isn’t the traditional version with earthenware tiles, but trompe-l’oeil painted directly onto the rock. A touch of color we really liked!
The tasting bar
To round off our organized tour in style, our guide took us to the bar at Blandy’s Wine Lodge to sample Madeira wines. It was in this convivial atmosphere that we toasted with the other members of the group. Impatient, we then dipped our lips in this famous beverage. Outside the guided tour, you can still enjoy a drink at the museum bar.
The wine cellar
Between the souvenir store and the wine cellar, don’t leave Blandy’s Wine Lodge empty-handed! Take this opportunity to choose one or 2 good bottles, and extend your stay after your return from vacation! How about enjoying a glass of Madeira wine after a long day at work?
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
La Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal (Madeira): access
Where is the Musée du Vin?
- On the island of Madeira,
- In the capital Funchal,
- In the heart of the old town,
- Opposite Funchal’s Municipal Garden and next to Sé Cathedral,
- Avenida Arriaga 28.
Access by car and parking
We do not recommend driving in the old town. The streets are narrow and cobbled. Some are even one-way. Choose a parking lot outside the historic center, such as Parking Santa Luzia. It is open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays.
Then simply walk down Rua 5 de Outubro to reach Old Funchal. The museum is just a 9-minute walk from this parking lot.
Public transport access
Several bus stops are located in Rua 5 de Outubro, close to the museum, including lines 12, 17, 20 and 21. Find out more here.
Access on organized tours
There are 2 possibilities, depending on what you want:
- Blandy’s Wine Lodge offers a selection of organized tours of varying lengths. Find out more directly on the official website here.
- Or discover Madeira’s culinary specialties on an exciting gastronomic tour! Local experts will help you sample a variety of products, from exotic fruits to pastries and the island’s renowned wines – See prices, photos and availability.
Visiting difficulties
Inside Blandy’s Wine Lodge, the courtyard is paved. The ground is uneven. If you opt for a guided tour, you’ll have to climb a staircase to reach the rooms where the Madeira wine barrels are stored. On the other hand, the site is equipped with adapted toilets and an access ramp. It is therefore partially accessible to people with reduced mobility.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
Visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm,
- Saturdays from 10am to 6pm,
- Sundays from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
Price:
- free visit to the inner courtyard,
- between €10.50 and €110 for a tour organized by Blandy’s Wine Lodge. View current offers here.
For how long?
Allow 15-30 minutes to visit the inner courtyard, wine cellar and souvenir store. If you opt for a guided tour, allow between 30min and 1h45 depending on the tour you choose.
Best moment
For oenophiles and the simply curious alike, the Wine Museum is a must-see attraction in Funchal. Best visited outside the summer months (July, August) and school vacations. This way, you can avoid peak periods. Choose morning slots as soon as they open, or late in the day. Visitor numbers are generally lower during these periods.
Direction of visit
The direction of your visit depends on the tour you choose. These tours are not self-guided: you will follow a guide and be part of a group. They usually start with a tour of the upstairs to see the Madeira wine barrels, and end with a tasting at the bar.
Visiting with children
We didn’t observe any specific routes dedicated to children. However, they can accompany you on your organized tour. Tickets are free for children under 8, and cost €7 for children aged 8 to 17.
Eating out
For lunch or dinner right on the premises, head for Restaurant 1811 Bistro & Wine Bar, with its food and wine pairing concept. Places are limited.
For more inspiration, discover our selection of the best restaurants in Funchal.
Hotels
We recommend staying at The Wine Lodges Appart’hotel. It is part of the same building as the Wine Museum, and some apartments overlook Funchal’s Municipal Garden. – See prices, photos and availability.
In our opinion, it’s one of the in the Old Town!
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
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