The picturesque city of Funchal is set in a huge natural amphitheatre that faces the blue Atlantic Ocean. The city thrives beneath the backdrop of lush green hillside mountains. At night, the hillsides around Funchal sparkle with the lights of thousands of homes.
We have divided Funchal into three main areas. Old Town, Funchal Centre and Funchal West.
Over 200 Restaurants, Tour Companies and Shops based in Funchal are offering discounts ranging from 10% - 25% - so make sure you check the Restaurants and Tours Sections of the site. It will save you
€€’s on your holiday.
The Old Town, is a maze of cobblestone narrow winding streets and is considered an area of great historic and architectural value. History tells us that this is where the first settlement sprang up. In the heart of the Old Town lies Corpo Santo Chapel, one of the few 15th-century buildings that has survived until today.
One of the city’s oldest streets, Rua de Santa Maria, is also located in this area. It is the site of various local businesses, including the picturesque Fábrica de Chapéus [Hat Factory], which has been operating in the same location for over 60 years, and the Vilão Boot Factory. A walk up this cobblestone street will take you to beautiful Socorro Church. At the top there is also a small belvedere where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
In Rua Santa Maria see the doors to some of Funchals’ oldest building painted with amazing murals by local and foreign artists. Early morning is the best time to photograph these.
The Old Town area is dominated by many restaurants, cafés, bars and shops. Portuguese and International cuisine is found to suit all budgets. Some restaurants such as Arsenios and Sabor a Fado offer live Fado music each night. Others often have local musicians playing popular, jazz and classical music. Interspersed amongst all the restaurants and bars are Souvenir shops that offer many handmade items crafted by traditional Madeiran artisans.
At the end of the Old Town you will find the Fort of São Tiago. The Fort was built to defend the port of Funchal in the early 17th century.
Madeira Story Centre (Rua Dom Carlos)
Carefully designed to provide you with a unique and fascinating experience, the history of Madeira is told by using smells, sounds, images and challenges that will capture your imagination. It is an interactive museum, planned to provide the visitor with a unique and unforgettable experience, describing the history and culture of Madeira, from its volcanic origins up until the present day.
Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market)
A visit to Funchal is not complete without a visit to the Farmers Market. It is the largest market of its kind on Madeira and has huge displays of Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables and Fish. The best times to visit are on Friday and Saturday mornings when farmers bring in their fresh produce from all over the island.
Locals dressed in their traditional costumes offer their variety of exotic flowers and locally grown fruit. Many offer a piece of tropical fruit to taste before buying! It’s always advisable to check and agree the price before you commit to buy.
A huge assortment of locally caught fish and seafood is on display - Tuna and Black Scabbard Fish (Espada) are the most popular purchases. The Black Scabbard Fish has huge eyes, razor sharp teeth and a long eel-like body. The white flesh is one of the most popular dishes served all over the island - it is very tasty and often served grilled with either fried banana or a passion fruit sauce.
Teleférico do Funchal (Cable Car)
The Teleférico Cable Car is one of the most popular and unique attractions in Funchal. The 15 minute ride up to Monte offers fantastic 360 degree views over Funchal. You can enjoy Funchal’s amphitheatre and bay in a scenario of blues, greens and oranges. As you rise the city gives way to green hillsides, mountains and valleys. At its highest point, the cable car glides 560 meters above sea level. The departure station is at the Parque Almirante Reis located in Old Town. The Monte Station is situated next to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. The cost is €11 one way or €16.00 return.
From here you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens; Museum of Precious Stones; Church of Our Lady at Monte; Fountain of the Virgin.
Monte Wicker Toboggan Run
Monte’s traditional “wicker toboggans”, which people have been using for over a century - are a simple and thrilling experience. Made primarily out of wicker and two wooden runners, these toboggans are driven by two men (Carreiros) dressed in traditional white, with straw hats and black rubber-soled boots that are used as brakes.
The ride starts off below the steps of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church. It is quite a fun ride down steep and winding roads that will lead you to the finishing point at Livramento. Here you can enjoy a snack, coffee or a beer and then take a taxi back to the cable car. You will also be presented with a photograph of you travelling down the hill. Tip: Just buy one as they will send you a free digital copy if you email them.
Once at Monte, visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. It is worthwhile to see the splendour of the huge variety of tropical plants from all over the world. You can also enjoy great views over Funchal. The gardens also house a museum with amazing sculptures and artworks and an exhibition of more than 300 precious and semi-precious gems. The entrance fee is €12.50. Children under 15 free (accompanied by adult).
Sé Cathedral
This late fifteenth-century cathedral is located right in the centre of Funchal and is one of the few remaining structures that is virtually intact since the start of colonisation of Madeira. The church interior has a Gothic-style structure, of mendicant architecture, and a Latin cross layout. Key features include the remarkable “alfarge” ceiling, one of the finest in Portugal, made from Madeiran cedar wood and carved in Mudéjar style with gilted elements and ivory incrustations, together with the 16th century altarpieces and the 18th-century azulejo tiles. The cathedral remains a focus of Funchal society, and while it’s free to enter, sightseeing should be timed between church services.
Around the area of the Cathedral you will find many restaurants and cafés along with street musicians and artists. This area also hosts many street exhibitions throughout the year. Ideal places to sit and listen to live music throughout the day and watch the world go by.
Over the road behind the main Tourist Office building, you will find the cellars and museum of
Blandy’s Wine Lodge. Tours give you the opportunity to explore 200 years of Madeira wine. Available from Monday to Saturday, the tours visit the various areas of the Lodge. The most comprehensive tour covers the making of barrels at the Cooperage, the transformation of grapes into Madeira wine, Brazilian satinwood storage vats and a tour of the museum with unique items from the history of Madeira wine, followed by a tasting. They take place throughout the day and are available in various languages: Portuguese, English, German, French and Spanish.
Restauarnte Bar O Avo in Rua da Praia is a place full of character owned by the affable Ricardo who adds to a really friendly atmosphere. His claim to fame is that he owns one of the largest collections of football scarves in the world. At the time of publishing the collection totalled 1,727 scarves!
Funchal Marina
The Marina in Funchal is a bustling place with many restaurants, bars and cafes. It also is the centre for most of the tour operators that offer everything from a trip on the replica of the Christopher Columbus ship to Dolphin and Whale watching to Deep Sea Fishing. There are also trips to the Desertas Islands nature reserve. Most tour operators and restaurants in the Marina offer a minimum of 10% discount when you present your Madeira NOW card.
Lido Promenade
There is a lovely walk heading west out of town along Avenida do Infante and onto Estrada Monumental, that starts from the public swimming area of Lido, all the way to Praia Formosa. You follow sea facing paths that are next to the sea for about 3km. There are many snack bars and restaurants along the way, where you can sit and enjoy the scenery.
Along the way you will find three public swimming areas – the Lido swimming pool complex, Clube Naval which is for club members and Ponta Gorda swimming pool complex. All offer extensive leisure facilities with seawater and separate children’s pools, sea access, sports activities, restaurants and snack bars. This is the best area to go for a swim in Funchal.
Tea at Belmond Reids Palace Hotel
A truly British tradition that Belmond Reid’s Palace is proud to continue. Choose from delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and homemade pastries all accompanied by your choice from a selection of 24 teas or an indulgent glass of Champagne. Served from 3pm to 5:30pm in the lounge and until 4:30pm on the terrace. After tea stroll through the gardens full of exotic plants, palm trees looking out over the sea with fantastic views of the hills surrounding Funchal. It is advisable to book to avoid disappointment.
Travelling West around the island from Funchal.
Câmara de Lobos
One of the oldest villages on the island the name Câmara de Lobos translates as the Cove of Sea Lions, as hundreds were sighted when the original settlers landed. They are still sighted sometimes but the main colony now resides on the Desertas islands.
This picturesque village is renowned for fishing and you can see the uniquely painted fishing boats, known as Xavelhas, moored in the harbour. The harbour is surrounded by restaurants, bars and cafes where you can enjoy the famous black scabbard fish (Espada) and sample the local Poncha. Some say Poncha was invented here.
Câmara de Lobos was also a favourite place for former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill to relax and paint.
You can take a road train to our next stop on the tour. Above the harbour where the buses arrive you will find the Green Train which leisurely winds up the hill with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside to Cabo Girão. The trip takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a 15 minute stop at the top, and you will receive a 15% discount by showing your Madeira NOW card.
Cabo Girão
The Cabo Girão viewpoint, situated on the highest sea cliffs in Europe, at an elevation of 580 m, offers magnificent panoramic views over the ocean and the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.
The viewpoint has been renovated, and a suspended glass platform works as a skywalk, so you can experience the sheer drop beneath your feet!
This area was recently redeveloped and now offers parking, restaurants and souvenir shops. To extend a visit to the Cabo Girão Cliffs take a taxi or walk (3km) back to the Restaurante Teleférico do Rancho and take the cable car down to the Fajãs de Cabo Girão terraced fields. The return cable car ride is €5.00 and the route scales down the cliff face. On the way to Ribeira Brava, another cable car ride will take you down to Faja dos Padres, which has a restaurant, beach and changing facilities.
Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava is a pleasant sea-side town with plenty of bars and restaurants. The beach is pebble/sand and there is a children’s swimming pool with changing facilities. Take time to visit the Ethnographic Museum, which displays aspects of Madeiran life. The Fort São Bento is a distinctive landmark on the seafront and houses the Tourist Information office.
The shopping area consists of old cobbled streets leading up to the church square. The beautiful Igreja de São Bento contains some 16th century paintings. At the eastern end, high above the town is a spectacular viewpoint, reached via the old coast road leading back towards Funchal.
The town is at the mouth of a spectacular gorge, which almost splits the island in two, and which leads to São Vicente. If you’re lucky, you will see enormous clouds rolling down from the mountain heights.
From here you can take the São Vicente road through Serra D´Agua, stopping to visit the famous Poncha Bar, and then peel off to the left to take the scenic mountain road up to Encumeada and Paul da Serra, or take the coast road past Tabua, famous in days gone by for it’s castanets, carved into weird and fantastic shapes. Next is Lugar de Baixo, with several bars and restaurants, and pebble beach much loved by surfers.
Ponta do Sol
A beautiful village nestled between the sea and the hills of the Paul da Serra, Ponta do Sol is said to be the sunniest place on the island and offers a choice of restaurants and bars. The pebble beach has board-walks for sunbathing. Take a walk along the seafront, from the quay where boats used to deliver goods for the village, through the old tunnel towards Madalena do Mar. Spectacular views and a taste of ‘old’ Madeira.
One of the best viewpoints is the bar in the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol hotel. Take the lift to the 4th floor and you can enjoy a cocktail in their delightful garden that overlooks the entire town. It’s spectacular in the evening.
Madalena do Mar
With a long pebble beach, several restaurants and an outdoor gym, Madalena is a favourite area for locals to stroll the seafront. The Taberna Bar right by the beach offers great meals, snacks and drinks at local prices. At the western end there are several fitness machines, very popular in the early mornings. Surrounded by banana plantations, the village holds a Banana Festival every July, with live entertainment, food and local producers showing off bunches of bananas – up to 100kg in weight. The banana harvest is year round and the workers are extremely fit, carrying large branches of the fruit up and down hills to the collection points.
Calheta
With two imported-sand beaches, Calheta has become a popular holiday destination. Two large hotels and several restaurants and bars are clustered around the marina from where you can take boat trips for fishing or whale and dolphin watching. Most operators in the Marina offer discounts with your Madeira NOW discount card.
The town has a well stocked supermarket (Pingo Doce), several restaurants and bars. The working rum factory, Engenhos da Calheta, is open to the public. During the sugar cane season (April - June) you can see the cane being processed into Aguardente. There is also a café and gift shop. Above the town, perched on the edge of the cliff, is the Casa das Mudas Art Gallery, with a permanent display of modern art. There is a very popular restaurant attached to the Gallery where you can enjoy an excellent lunch or dinner.
Prazeres
A small village above Calheta and Paul do Mar, Prazeres has several restaurants and cafes. Quinta Pedagógica dos Prazeres is a small farm, where you can visit the animals, together with a tea room / restaurant. They also produce several award-winning liquers, jams and flavoured vinegars. Look out for the crazy scarecrows in the gardens, too - the village is famous for them. At the Atlantico Hotel, there is a ‘sensory’ walk, to be done barefoot over different materials making up the footpath. There is also an old path leading down to Paul do Mar, which used to be the main route for traders taking wares to and from the harbour, carrying vast bundles on their shoulders.
Jardim do Mar
A beautiful village, with it’s houses nestled around the church. Walk the promenade, past the atmospheric old mill buildings and admire the town from below. The waves here attract surfers from around the world.
Paul do Mar
Another thriving fishing village, spread along the coast under the mountains. With a reputation for surfers who appreciate the waves here. There are several small local restaurants and bars along the seafront.
Ponta do Pargo
At the far southwest tip of the island, the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse dominates the coast. It houses a small museum which is open to the public. With beautiful walks along the surrounding headland, this is a favourite stop-off on the coast road to Porto Moniz. On the way you will pass through Achadas da Cruz where an important cattle fair is held annually. You can take a trip in the cable car down to the small beach and agricultural lands.
Porto Moniz
The natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz are the main attraction in this small seaside town. Gift shops, restaurants and bars are scattered along the promenade and there is a small aquarium and a Living Science Centre. There are two sets of pools – the Cachalote pools at the entrance to the town are free to the public, whilst the larger pools at the other end of town offer more facilities.
On the way to São Vicente take time to visit the tranquil setting of Ribeira da Janela, given it’s name from the ‘window’ in the small island just off-shore.
Next is Seixal, where you will find more natural pools with magnificent views of the mountains. This road has several waterfalls, one of which – the Brides Veil – has a viewpoint.
São Vicente
Continue on to São Vicente, on a road scattered with waterfalls and views of the majestic mountains and the blue of the sea.
At São Vicente visit the volcanic caves and volcano centre and the Museum Centre – Lime Route or simply take a stroll through the town’s pleasant streets. There is a small chapel built inside a basalt rock at the mouth of the stream that runs through the town and an indigenous garden, with an area of 2,200 m2, where dozens of species of local flora are represented.
The main road will take you back to Ribeira Brava, through a long tunnel which passes under the mountains. From here you can also go back up to Encumeada, passing through the Laurissilva Forest or go on to Santana, discovering small viewpoints on the way.
Santana
Santana is famed for its traditional A-framed thatched roof houses, painted and decorated in bright colours.
There is a small but very beautiful theme park, with lovely, well tended gardens and a large play area for children with a variety of different apparatus. There are several small museums dotted around the park depicting Madeiran life. There are small model Madeiran houses and a boating pond with large fish. A little train takes you round the park in about 10mins. There is a reasonably priced café. Tucked away at the back of Santana is a cable car ride which goes down to the Reserva Natural da Rocha do Navio. The Queimadas Forest Park offers several excellent walks like Caldeirão Verde.
From Santana the drive to Faial winds through the impressive beauty of the surrounding mountains. If you fancy a break from the beach, there is a fast, supervised Karting track at Foz da Ribeira do Faial.
When you get to Faial you can choose between the road to Machico or a visit to the island’s interior, taking the road to Ribeiro Frio, Poiso and Pico do Areeiro. This peak is the island’s third highest point (1,818 m) and here you will find beautiful rock formations reaching into the sky like timeless statues.
Porto da Cruz
A quiet sleepy town that houses the old sugar cane factory, which is still operating the same way as it was when it started with in 1927. It has a 26 metre tall chimney and is the only steam powered distillery in Europe. The factory produces over 200,000 litres of distilled spirits in a good year and you can purchase their produce from the gift shop.
A small beach and protected bay is great for children to practise their surfing.
Also not to be missed is Penha d’Águia, a rock that separates Porto da Cruz from Faial. The road is very steep, but the views from the top are absolutely amazing.
Porto da Cruz is also famous for its wine, called ‘vinho seco americano’. This dry red wine is the theme for a celebration happening in September (Festa do Vinho).
Machico
Machico was the first point of discovery for Madeira. It has the oldest church, the Capela dos Milagres, and two forts, used by the locals to defend themselves against the many pirate attacks on the village. With an imported sandy beach and good facilities for both swimming and sunbathing, this town boasts some excellent guesthouses and restaurants and is a good starting point for a number of Levada walks.
The river, which runs down through the town, is covered with bougainvillea and edged with whitewashed houses. There is the small chapel of São Roque on the quay, built in the 16th century, with an exhibition of blue and white tiles depicting the saint’s life. Agriculture and fishing are the main industries, with the fishing harbours located in Machico and Caniçal.
Ponta de São Lourenco – A fantastic walk through some of the most interesting geological formations on the island, with wide sweeping views of the sea and the mountains. There is a small beach towards the end of the walk, which makes a good picnic and swimming spot, and a visitor centre which has vending machines and information leaflets.
Caniçal
Caniçal is the oldest parish on Madeira, with the longest coastline and is a fishing village with a great religious tradition. It has the only natural golden sand beach on the island, as well as a bathing complex with all the usual facilities.
The Whale Museum is worth a visit and bears witness to the entire history of whaling and the activities associated with it. It is one of the most innovative museums of its kind internationally. The museum houses life-size models of whales and dolphins and 3D movies. The institution also promotes scientific research projects on cetaceans and marine life in the seas of Madeira.
On the far east of Caniçal is Ponta de São Lourenço, which is characterized by several rock formations with hues ranging from red to black, and small islets. Walks in Ponta de São Lourenço offer stunning views of both the north and south coasts of the island, and also of the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo.
Santa Cruz
Located in the eastern part of the island near the International Airport and by the sea. It’s a wonderful town with many attractions. In the centre of Santa Cruz is a beautiful historical Church the Igreja Matriz built in the 16th Century.
Palmeiras Beach is a pebble beach very popular with locals and tourists in the summer and equipped with children’s swimming pool, beach toys, trained lifeguards and first aid centre. Enjoy a walk along the promenade, bounded by palm trees and the sea.
Ribeira da Boaventura, located near Santa Cruz, has a bathing complex comprising two swimming pools, sundecks, locker rooms and esplanade. There is also a small, sheltered bay, allowing easy access to the sea. The Aqua Park is open in the summer months and has a capacity for over 1,000 people. The park has five toboggan rides and four fast slides, two swimming pools (one for children), a lazy river running round the pools, a bar and changing rooms.
Camacha
Camacha is internationally known for its folklore (the “bailinho” of Madeira) and wicker work. In the main square you can visit the Handicraft Centre where you will find all kinds of furniture and decoration made of wicker. It was in this parish in Largo da Achada, that football was played for the first time in Portugal in 1875.
Caniço
Caniço is near to the Reis Magos beach, which has clear and clean water, and the safety of bathers is ensured by two lifeguards and a first-aid station.
Nearby is the Santo da Serra Golf Club, one of the most spectacular golf courses in Europe, with unbelievable mountain and sea views. This golf course has 27 holes available for play, all with generous fairways and greens and a choice of tee positions, which favours all abilities. Also near Caniço is Palhiero Golf, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful courses. The 18 hole par 72 course sits at 500m above sea level and has spectacular views over mountains and sea.
Sítio do Garajau, located between Funchal and Caniço, owes its name to the large amount of garajaus (shorebirds) that nest in the area. Here, one finds the Ponta do Garajau, a promontory where the statue of Christ is erected (Cristo Rei). The Garajau Natural Reserve was created here in 1986, which offers unique conditions for diving, sought by divers from around the world. This is the only exclusively marine reserve in the country, and offers the opportunity to see manta rays and other large fish. From this viewpoint there is an excellent panoramic view over the Atlantic Ocean, the Garajau Natural Reserve, part of the Funchal bay and Caniço de Baixo.
Curral das Freiras
Curral das Freiras (‘Nuns Valley’) is a small village surrounded by perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island. It was thought that the huge cauldron in which an attack on Funchal by pirates in 1566 caused the nuns from the Santa Clara convent to flee here, bringing the convent treasure with them
CENTRAL MADEIRA
Ribeiro Frio
Nestling amongst the Laurisillva forest, Ribeiro Frio is at the heart of many Levada walks. It also has a trout farm with a restaurant serving freshly caught trout.
Paul da Serra
At the top of the island, above Calheta, lies Paul da Serra, an area of windswept beauty and the start of many Levada walks. You may be above the clouds here, and the weather can change very quickly. There are two roads across the island from here, one taking you westwards to Porto Moniz and the other cutting across to the north coast and joining the coast road to Porto Moniz. An area known as Fanal has some very old trees, and is very atmospheric.
Pico do Areeiro
The viewpoint at Pico do Areeiro the third highest point on Madeira, at 1,818 metres above sea level. From this viewpoint there is an excellent panoramic view of the central mountains of Madeira Island. This is also the starting point for one of the most spectacular trails to the archipelago’s highest point, Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 meters.
Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo is the highest peak (1,862 m) on Madeira. It can be reached only by foot, usually either from Pico do Areeiro after a strenuous hike, or from Achada do Teixeira with a shorter easier trail. There is an additional trail leading west to Encumeada. Just below the summit is a hut offering simple accommodation and drinks.
At Achada do Teixeira you can also visit the “Standing Man” (“Homem em pé”), a basalt formation which you will find when walking down the cliff, after passing the Achada do Teixeira government house.
Porto Santo
With a 9 kilometre beach of fine golden sands edging crystal-clear, turquoise-blue warm waters, Porto Santo is also known as the Golden Island. Some say it is a beach attached to an island. It was voted the best sand dune beach in the best Beaches of Portugal competition.
With the mild climate and fairly constant sea temperatures, the main emphasis is on the beach and water activities. The town offers several restaurants and bars as well as the Christopher’s Columbus House Museum which aims to recreate the primitive environment in which the explorer lived. Porto Santo Golf offers unique sporting challenges and superb views. Surrounded by serene landscapes and enveloped by sea breeze, the golf course boasts perfect year-round golfing conditions.
Porto Santo is perfect for cycling and there are several places offering bike rental. There are two walking trails, a 3.5km walk around Pico do Facho; the other a 2.7km walk through the central area. Take plenty of water if doing these hikes.
Various points of interest from a geological, natural and scenic point of view can be found on the island. They are all worth a visit, as they are perfect locations for photo sessions.
Porto Santo’s landscape is sprinkled with traditional windmills, built to grind the grain to make bread. The first windmill was built in 1794, and was the most impressive structure built in Porto Santo in the 18th century. Years later the island became very picturesque with countless wooden windmills, some of which still work today.
A one day ferry trip to Porto Santo costs around €58 per person. The ferry leaves Funchal Port at 08h00 and returns at 19h00 and takes just over two hours.