Self-drive Guided Tour | Explore Funchal on an Electric Car

A small electric car can turn a city tour into a more hands-on outing: you steer through Funchal, follow GPS routes and stop to explore on foot. I like the freedom to pause where you choose and the tablet’s funny audio guide, which adds local history without requiring you to stick close to a walking group.

There is one important trade-off: Spinach is a compact vehicle, and its limited legroom and open slot in the windscreen may make the ride uncomfortable for taller people or anyone who wants a smooth, sheltered drive.

At a glance

• Choose your route: Options include a one-hour Funchal Express, a one-hour Churchill’s Bay Tour and an All-In-One route lasting two or three hours.
• Set your own pace: GPS-guided routes pass city highlights, with stops available along the way.
• Listen as you drive: The tablet offers route guidance and narration in English, Portuguese or German.
• Plan for a snug fit: The small car has limited legroom and modest suspension.
• Budget for the deposit: Bring a credit card for a refundable €100 deposit per vehicle. Optional collision damage waiver costs €15 per Spinach.

A city tour with you at the wheel

The Spinach tour gives you a different way to see Funchal. Instead of sitting in a larger vehicle or following a guide on foot, you drive a small electric car with a tablet providing directions and recorded commentary. You can take a set route or make your own city itinerary, then park and explore the places that catch your eye.

That combination suits people who want both structure and freedom. The GPS keeps the outing moving, while the option to stop lets you linger at a market, square or viewpoint rather than watching it pass through a window. The car is for a private group, so the experience is limited to your own party rather than shared with strangers.

The vehicle is part of the appeal, but it is not simply a novelty ride. The tablet suggests routes and delivers information at points along the way. The audio guide is described as funny, which can make historical details easier to take in while you navigate. Still, this is self-drive sightseeing, not a guided tour with a person beside you to answer questions or adjust the story to your interests.

Picking a route that fits your day

The shortest options are the Funchal Express and Churchill’s Bay Tour, each listed as one hour. The longer All-In-One route lasts two or three hours and is the better fit if you want more time to cover city sights and make stops.

There is a slight timing puzzle to sort out before booking: the activity is also described as lasting two to four hours. Check the available start times and confirm which route and duration apply to your chosen option. The route names give you a useful starting point, but the available details do not spell out exactly which landmarks are included in each one. Don’t assume every listed stop appears on the shortest tour.

If you prefer to improvise, you can create your own itinerary in the city. That flexibility is useful if you have already seen one or two of the main sights, or if you would rather spend longer in a particular place. The GPS routes are there to guide you, but you do not have to treat the outing as a fixed procession from stop to stop.

From the market to the historic centre

Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal’s farmers market, is one of the named stops. It offers a chance to step away from the road and see local produce and colorful stalls. If food and everyday city life are your main interests, this is a good place to make time for rather than simply passing by in the car.

Praça do Município puts you in the historic centre, among the city’s civic and architectural sights. Funchal’s Cathedral is another key stop, with architecture that rewards a closer look on foot. The route also includes Avenida do Mar, where the coastal views bring the sea into the city tour.

The Marina adds a maritime pause, while the market and square give the outing a more urban character. These stops are close in theme but offer different ways to experience Funchal: public life at the market, historic architecture in the centre and a seafront atmosphere by the marina. Since you can stop along the way, you can choose which deserve a longer visit.

The main limitation is that the narration’s directions may not always feel precise enough. If you are relying on the tablet, keep an eye on the route and be ready to use your own judgement rather than expecting turn-by-turn instructions to explain every move. The voice guidance is useful, but it should not replace attention to the road.

Coastal views and a trip toward Câmara de Lobos

The route highlights include Formosa Beach, one of Madeira’s well-known beaches, and traditional fishing village Câmara de Lobos. These give the outing a broader reach than a circuit of the central streets, particularly if you pick a longer option. The views along the way are a stated part of the experience, and the electric car offers an open, close-to-the-street perspective.

Câmara de Lobos is a worthwhile contrast to the city stops: its appeal is described in terms of its traditional fishing-village character. Formosa Beach offers a change of scene and a chance to pause by the coast. The tour information does not specify how long you spend at either place, so a short route may not leave time for a leisurely visit to every landmark.

This is where the option to stop matters most. A sightseeing route can be more satisfying when you can get out, look around and take in the setting at your own pace. But the time you have is still limited by the duration you book. If you want room for several extended stops, favour the longer All-In-One option and check its route details before setting out.

What driving the Spinach feels like

The electric car is small, playful and easy to treat as part of the entertainment. It also has practical limits. The cabin has little legroom, the ride is not especially well cushioned, and a wide opening in the windscreen can let wind into the vehicle. That can add to the fun on a pleasant day, but it is not ideal if you want a quiet, sheltered ride.

Fit is worth considering before you reserve. One person found the car unsuitable for people taller than about 1.75 metres, so if you are near or above that height, ask the operator about cabin space before you go. The stated maximum passenger weight is 130 kilograms. People with back problems, pregnant women and children under seven are listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Children aged seven to 12, or at least 1.35 metres tall, can ride with a booster seat. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and a Term of Responsibility is required for children up to 13. The car is not suitable for unaccompanied minors, and large bags or luggage are not allowed.

The audio guide and the human help

The tablet is central to the outing. It provides the route choices and voice narration, including information about Funchal’s history and landmarks. German, English and Portuguese are available, so check that your preferred language is offered before booking. The experience also includes a briefing and support along the way.

The audio guide can make the drive more than a point-to-point trip, but its directions may sometimes feel less exact than you would like. Give yourself a moment to get familiar with the vehicle and tablet before leaving. The tour’s initial briefing is useful for that reason, especially if you are not used to driving a small vehicle on public roads.

The operator is described as friendly, and a warm welcome can make a difference when you are learning how the car works. Still, remember that this is a self-drive tour. You get a recorded guide and support, not a live narrator riding with you throughout the route.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The listed price is $82 per group of up to two. For a private outing, that can be good value if you want a flexible way to cover several city sights and enjoy the novelty of driving the electric car. The price includes the vehicle for the rental period, the app and voice narration, a briefing, support and routes passing Funchal highlights.

Compare that cost with what you want from the outing. If you mainly want a straightforward explanation of the city from a live guide, this format may not be the best match. If you value choosing where to stop and having a small vehicle for your own party, the private-group price makes more sense.

The €100 per-vehicle deposit is required by credit card and is refundable at the end of the tour. Optional collision damage waiver insurance costs €15 per Spinach and can be purchased on the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan to reach the meeting point yourself. The meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so check your booking details rather than assuming every route starts at the same place.

Bring your passport or ID card, driver’s licence and credit card for the deposit. You will also need to sign a Standard Participant Agreement. The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I’d consider this tour if you want an outing that mixes driving, short walks and recorded commentary, and if the idea of a small electric car sounds like fun rather than a compromise. It is especially suited to a pair who wants a private route and the freedom to linger at selected stops.

It is less suitable if you need generous legroom, a smooth ride, full wind protection or a live guide. You should also look elsewhere if you are travelling with a child under seven, have back problems, are pregnant or weigh more than the stated limit. For anyone who fits the car and enjoys doing things at their own pace, Spinach can make a city tour feel less like transport and more like an activity in its own right.

Should you book the Spinach tour?

Book it if you want to steer your own Funchal outing, make flexible stops and enjoy a humorous GPS audio guide in a compact electric car. The strongest reasons to go are the private-group format, the route choices and the chance to combine city sights with coastal stops.

Before paying, confirm the route length, meeting point and which sights fit your chosen option. Ask about cabin space if you are tall, and decide whether the €15 insurance add-on makes sense for you. If you are comfortable with a snug ride and self-guided directions, this is a playful, practical way to see more than the city centre.

FAQ

How much does the Spinach tour cost?

The listed price is $82 per group of up to two people.

How long does the tour take?

The activity is listed as two to four hours. Route options include one-hour Funchal Express and Churchill’s Bay tours, plus an All-In-One route lasting two or three hours. Check the available times and duration for the option you choose.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

English, Portuguese and German are listed.

Which sights can the route include?

Named places include Mercado dos Lavradores, Avenida do Mar, Praça do Município, the Marina, Funchal’s Cathedral, Formosa Beach and Câmara de Lobos.

Can I stop during the tour?

Yes. You can stop along the way to explore places on foot.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience, with the listed price covering up to two people.

What documents should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, driver’s licence and a credit card for the deposit.

Is there a deposit?

Yes. A refundable €100 deposit per vehicle is required by credit card.

How much does the collision damage waiver cost?

The optional collision damage waiver costs €15 per Spinach and can be purchased on the day.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven are not suitable for the activity. Children aged seven to 12, or at least 1.35 metres tall, can ride on a booster seat. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and a Term of Responsibility is required for children up to 13.