Funchal is the capital and, with more than 110,000 inhabitants, the largest city of Madeira, which will absorb you with its colonial atmosphere.
The city lies in a wide bay in the southeast of the island and, because of its mountainous surroundings, climbs from the sea up the hill to places beyond which the terrain simply cannot go.
Funchal is made up of 4 basic units - the historic centre in the middle, the Old Town (Zona Velha) to the east, the tourist area with hotels and to the west, and the residential areas in a ring around it.
The centre and the Old Town date back to the first colonisation that began in Madeira in 1424. Here you'll weave through narrow streets of old fishing and bourgeois times with a strong colonial feel.
Sights and attractions
The historic city centre itself and its immediate surroundings are not extensive and can be explored on foot in half a day. In Funchal, don't miss these sights and places of interest:
- Mercado dos Lavradores - The daily farmers' and fishermen's markets held in the large three-storey market. Here you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, flowers and wicker goods,
- SéCathedral - Funchal's main cathedral, dating from 1514, may not catch the eye with its austere Manueline Gothic exterior and smaller stature, but the richly decorated Mudéjar-style interior and especially the wooden Moorish cedar ceiling are definitely worth a visit,
- Jardim Botanico - the beautiful large garden with its French-style flower beds and wild plants and ponds,
- Jardim Tropical Monte Palace - the other botanical garden is the Jardim Tropical around the Monte Palace near the top station of the cable car and is one of Funchal's most visited sites. It also offers beautiful views of the city and the ocean. For more information, please see the separate location details,
- Parque de Santa Catarina - the city's largest park with the statue of the sailor Christopher Columbus and the famous Madeira Casino,
- Forts - there are two important 16th century forts in the city - Fortaleza do Pico on the hill above the historic centre and Fortaleza São Tiago right by the sea in the Old Town
- Museo CR7 - Sports fans won't want to miss the museum of Cristano Ronaldo, a native of Madeira, official information at museucr7.com
Accommodation in Funchal
As the largest city, Funchal also offers the most accommodation options, ranging from very cheap apartments and guesthouses with prices around 29 eur per night for 2 to more expensive classic hotels, but even here you will often find prices below 37 eur per night for a double room.
Funchal is an ideal place to stay before or after your flight or if you want to be right in the centre of the action and take public transport to your excursions. We bring you tips for cheap and well rated accommodation:
- Tips for great apartments - Casa dos Avós Aparments, House Joel & Sónia, Museum House, São Pedro Boutique
- Tips for classic hotels - Florasol Residence Hotel 3*, Hotel Cajú 4*, Duas Torres 3*, Allegro Madeira 4*, Melia Madeira Mare 5*
Beaches and swimming
There are two major public beaches right in Funchal, both covered with large pebbles. Click on the name of the beach to see its location on the map.
The larger and longer one is Praia Formosa on the western edge of the city, and the smaller one is Praia São Tiago near the historic centre. Both beaches are free to enter, and Formosa Beach is equipped with sunbed hire.
More popular in Funchal, however, are the two open-air swimming pools right by the sea. The water is heated and you can enjoy a full range of services from changing rooms to showers to refreshment stands. There is also access to the sea from both of them via stairs.
The entrance fee is 5,20 eur.
Transport and public transport
How to get around Funchal?
By bus
Public transport around Funchal is provided by about 20 bus lines.
The stops are clearly signposted with timetables and a map of the lines. Confusingly, some Funchal public transport and SAM intercity bus services may have the same line designation, even though they are different carriers and the lines go somewhere else entirely.
Funchal public transport runs yellow buses.
The ticketing system uses GIRO cards, which you can top up over and over again with more tickets. The first purchase of a card costs 0,50 eur + the price of the ticket you choose.
So don't throw the card away! You can buy the card from ticket machines or ticket booths, but these are usually only in the centre. However, it can also be bought from the driver for a total of 1,95 eur (0,50 eur for the card + 1,45 eur one ride). You can only reload the card at vending machines or ticket booths. In this case, the fare works out as follows:
- 1 ride - 1,45 eur
- 1 ride when 10 tickets are topped up - 1,35 eur
- 1 day (valid only on a calendar day) - 4,50 eur
- 3-day - 11,50 eur
Tickets are valid only on yellow public transport buses within Funchal, not for journeys outside the city.
Timetables, current ticket prices and route maps can be found on the official website horariosdofunchal.pt.
By cable car
There are two suspended cable cars in operation in Funchal. One leads from the centre directly to Monte Palace and Jardim Tropical, the other connects the two botanical gardens: the Jardim Botanical and Monte Palace with the Jardim Tropical.
- Teleférico do Funchal - The 3,200-metre journey from the centre to the top of Monte can be completed in 15 minutes and crosses 560 vertical metres. The return fare is for 18 eur, one-way for 12,50 eur, more information at madeiracablecar.com.
- Teleférico do Jardim Botanico - A 1600 metre cable car connects the two botanical gardens. Return fares are at 14 eur, one-way at 9,25 eur, more information at telefericojardimbotanico.com.
By car
Parking in Funchal is always charged in car parks, beware that you can usually only pay with coins in the machines.
Parking prices range from 1,50 eur for an hour to discounted prices around 6,50 eur for the whole day.
In Funchal, in addition to traditional taxis, there is also the Uber app.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Madeira.