Coastal capital of Madeira Islands with mountain-backed harbor. Old town has narrow streets, colorful houses, and local eateries. Nearby trails for exploring nature.
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is located on the southern coast of this Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean. The city enjoys a mild climate year-round, making it ideal for outdoor exploration. In Funchal, you can wander through the historic old town, ride a cable car up to Monte for panoramic views, and visit the colorful Mercado dos Lavradores farmers market. The city also offers opportunities to taste Madeira wine, relax in botanical gardens, and enjoy views of the harbor and surrounding mountains.
Exploring Funchal's Old Town
The historic center of Funchal, known as Zona Velha, has narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional buildings. At its heart is the 15th century Sé Cathedral, which has a striking Gothic facade and ornate interior. Nearby, you'll find the active Mercado dos Lavradores farmers market selling local produce, flowers, and crafts. On Rua de Santa Maria, you can see an open-air art gallery created by painted doors on buildings along the street.
Taking the Cable Car to Monte
For panoramic views over Funchal, take the cable car up to the hilltop suburb of Monte. The 15-minute journey climbs nearly 600 meters and provides extensive views of the city, harbor, and mountains. In Monte, you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Church of Our Lady of Monte. For an exciting descent back to Funchal, try the famous wicker toboggan sleds guided by carreiros wearing traditional white clothes.
Exploring Funchal's Gardens
Funchal has several notable parks and gardens. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden covers 70,000 square meters with exotic plants, koi ponds, and tile panels. In the city center, the Madeira Botanical Garden has over 2,000 plants on terraced hillsides with city views. The Santa Catarina Park along the waterfront offers shaded walking paths and a lake with swans.
Sampling Local Food and Drink
Funchal offers many opportunities to try Madeiran specialties. Espetada is beef rubbed with garlic and salt, grilled on a bay leaf skewer. Bolo do caco is a round flatbread often served with garlic butter. For drinks, you can taste the fortified Madeira wine at places like Blandy's Wine Lodge. The local cocktail poncha mixes aguardente rum with honey and citrus juice.
Beaches and Water Activities
While Funchal doesn't have sandy beaches, there are several places to swim. Praia Formosa is a long pebble beach west of the city center. The Lido area has seawater swimming pools and access to the ocean. From Funchal's harbor, you can take boat trips for whale and dolphin watching or visits to nearby islands. Other water activities include diving, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Getting Around Funchal
Funchal's compact center is walkable, but the city spreads up steep hills. Public buses connect most areas. If you want to explore more of Madeira island, consider renting a car. Taxis are easy to find throughout the city. The hop-on hop-off tourist buses stop at major sights around Funchal.
When to Visit Funchal
Funchal has a mild climate year-round, with temperatures rarely dropping below 16°C (61°F) or exceeding 26°C (79°F). Summer brings the warmest and driest weather. In spring, you'll see many flowers in bloom. The Flower Festival in April/May and New Year's Eve fireworks are well-attended events. September and October offer warm weather with fewer tourists.
