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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Funchal: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Funchal
- Madeira's capital is located on the main island's south coast, on the slopes of the Central Massif as they curve down to the sea.
- In Funchal, you may view the abundant plant life supported by volcanic soil and an eternal spring environment and relax in three lush, colourful gardens.
- Two of them can be reached by taking the cable car to the Monte neighbourhood.
- There's also a high-speed option of careering down the streets on a wicker sledge to get back down the slope.
- Whitewashed colonial architecture abounds in the city, some dating back to the century Madeira was found.
- Capital: Madeira
- International Airport: Madeira Airport
- Population: 111992
- Currency: Euro
- Time: UTC+0
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: Portuguese
- Religion: Catholicism
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Funchal
- If you enjoy football, you should know that the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum in Funchal, Madeira, is home to one of the world's top players.
- Go to Formosa Beach, Madeira's largest beach, if you have booked a car.
- Take a stroll through Funchal's lovely streets and squares.
- Relax at the park of Santa Catarina.
- Visit Blandy's Wine Lodge for a wine sampling.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Funchal
- Many areas have a beautiful ocean or mountain view, which you should choose if you want to see the finest of Funchal.
- In terms of accessibility, most of Funchal's neighbourhoods are easily accessible by automobile or public transportation.
- The most significant difference is that the higher your lodging is, the steeper the inclination you'll experience when walking about the city.
- Take into mind whether your lodging has parking.
- Otherwise, you'll have to rely on street availability, usually paid in the city centre.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Funchal
Funchal Cathedral
- You'll be transported to the Portuguese Age of Discovery when you visit the city's church.
- This structure was built at the turn of the 16th century out of multi-toned pyroclastic rock excavated from the southwest cliffs of Cabo Giro.
- When you look up at the steeple's roof, you'll notice it's covered with traditional glazed tiles.
- The cathedral's silver processional cross, considered a marvel of liturgical silverwork, was gifted by Manuel I, the Portuguese king.
- The noteworthy wooden choir seats portray prophets, saints, and apostles dressed in 16th-century clothing.
Monte Cable Car
- The cable car, which takes you up to the perched Monte neighbourhood 600 metres above sea level, is one of Funchal's unmissable sights.
- This gondola lift opened in 2000, replacing a long-defunct train that extended four kilometres up the slope before closing in 1943.
- The scenery is yours to consider and picture and get to the sights in Monte.
- Funchal, the mountains bedecked with white buildings, and the ocean is all yours to admire and shoot.
Rua Santa Maria
- A charming cobblestone roadway runs east to west through Funchal's Zona Velha, passing through a corridor of painted doors.
- Rua Santa Maria was one of the original streets in Funchal, dating back to the 15th century, and is now a popular shopping and dining destination.
- After the street was flooded in 2010, the city launched the Art of Open Doors project as part of its recovery efforts.
- Fanciful and brightly coloured doors, painted with great expertise, are now brightening up the road.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Funchal Off the Beaten Track
Igreja do Monte
- This 18th-century church, which stands on the site of a 15th-century hermitage, is one of the significant sites.
- A figure of Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Mountain), which was in the original hermitage and revered from the early years of colonisation in Madeira, may be found on the high altar.
- The mausoleum of Charles I of Austria, who spent the rest of his life in exile after Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, is well worth a visit. Charles was Austria's final Emperor and the last Habsburg-Lorraine ruler.
- For an uninterrupted view of Funchal, walk the steps to the roof between the towers.
Wicker Toboggan Ride
- You'll be greeted by groups of men dressed in boaters and white suits as soon as you reach the higher terminal in Monte, offering to take you back down to Funchal at fast speed.
- Your mode of transportation will be unusual.
- You will be pulled down the Carro de Cesto road, spiralling up the slope, on a wicker sledge with greased wooden runners.
- The practice dates back to the 1800s, and you'll drop for two terrifying kilometres before continuing your journey in Funchal's Livramento district.
- Climb the stairs to the roof between the towers for a panoramic view of Funchal.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Funchal Culture and Traditions
- Funchal is most well-known for its beach and sports amenities.
- The resort is well-known for its opulent accommodations and beautiful beaches. Excursionists will enjoy the city because it is close to significant historical and natural features.
- Palheiro is one of the architectural wonders of the world.
- The estate was constructed during the colonial period.
- Because it is now private property, access to its region is banned.
- Every day, travellers visit the historical site to take photos of the old structure and stroll through the park, which encompasses an estate.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Funchal: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Prima Caju
#Food
- Prima Caju is one of our favourite places to eat breakfast or lunch in Funchal. With loads of jungle plants, their highly chic decor is super instagrammable.
- This is the place to go if you want smoothie bowls, vegan alternatives, or a particularly excellent bowl stuffed with veggies, fish or chicken, rice or couscous.
- You won't notice that Prima Caju is on the ground floor of the Hotel Caju Le Petit Hotel.
- The pancakes of Prima Caju are also highly recommended if you're looking for a sweet dessert or snack! This restaurant in Funchal will never let you down when it comes to a healthy but delicious breakfast or lunch!
The Loft
#Food
- This fashionable cafe, located in the So Martinho district, is one of the area's more hip cafes.
- The Loft creates a pleasant atmosphere with its classic 80's design and helpful personnel. Their extensive menu includes savoury breakfast selections, salads, and a delicious Açai smoothie bowl for the sweet tooth.
- The Loft has a good selection of large platters at a fair price.
- There are many different egg dishes to choose from, but they also have vegan versions.
- It's an excellent place for brunch, and it's worth a visit!
Three House
#Food
- The Tree House, located on the top of the Oudinot building, offers an unending panoramic view of Funchal city and the Atlantic Ocean and excellent food and cocktails.
- Although it is a hotel, outside guests are welcome to dine at the restaurant.
- Their trendy and Instagram-worthy rooftop bar with a pool beckons you to stay for more than just a quick breakfast or lunch.
- They have a remarkable eye for detail in terms of menu selection, presentation, and interior colour scheme.
- With a comprehensive contemporary menu and exquisite cuisine presentation, The Three House is one of Funchal's best rooftop bars and restaurants.
Madeira Shopping
#Fashion
- A modern retail centre containing a variety of ready-to-wear businesses, perfume shops, a supermarket, a movie theatre, and restaurants.
- Locals visit this commercial facility, which opened to the public in 2001.
- One of the little cafés on this floor has a pleasant patio with a panoramic view of Sao Martinho, ideal for people looking for a quick stop.
Forum Madeira
#Fashion
- The Forum Madeira is the island's second-largest shopping centre. Forum, located in the Lido tourist district, first opened its doors to the public in 2004.
- It's a modern tower with multiple levels and a lighthouse.
- Everything your heart desires may be found here, from clothing stores to restaurants, cafes, and a cinema.
Arcadas de São Francisco
#Fashion
- The Arcadas de So Francisco is located in downtown Funchal, directly across from the Municipal Garden.
- This modest shopping mall contains a variety of small shops, cafés, and a doorway to the Blandy cellars.
Madeira Theme Park
#Fun
- The Madeira Theme Park in Santana is a spectacular venue dedicated to Madeira Archipelago's history, science, and tradition.
- It covers 145 000 m2, is a must-see for all visitors, and is the only one of its kind in Portugal.
- The park's four multimedia pavilions, "Discovery of the Islands," "Future of the Earth," "Fantastic Voyage in Madeira," and "A world of islands, the islands of the world," are the park's principal attractions.
- Other attractions include a recreation of the Monte railway, classic oxcarts with networks, a typical Santana house, one mill, a maze, and a lake.
- Another feature of this cultural and scientific hub is the gardens with Madeiran flora and pathways.
AQUA PARK
#Fun
- The Aqua Park offers a variety of facilities for a great day at the beach for the whole family.
- Aqua Park, located in the Santa Cruz municipality, is the ideal spot for anyone looking for family amusement and pleasure.
- There are many recreational swimming pools, three water slides, four fast slides, a rapid river, a black hole, a hole river, a lazy river, a leisure swimming pool, and a children's water park, which has a capacity of over 1000 people.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Funchal: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- Another botanic park winds across seven hectares of terraces, with exotic flora, waterfalls, and architectural flourishes like a Japanese pagoda.
- The beautiful azulejos from the 15th and 16th centuries line your walk through the gardens.
- There are also tile panels in the Japanese garden that describe the trade history between Portugal and Japan.
- On the upper floors of the Monte Palace Museum, there is an exhibition of African art, and below that is a mineral collection with 700 specimens collected from the Portuguese mainland, South America, North America, and Africa.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Funchal Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Festa da Cereja, an annual celebration held in Câmara de Lobos, honours the luscious, ruby-coloured fruit of the cherry tree.
- Several types, including the enormous Norberto variety, adapted to Madeira's climate and soil, are harvested in the early summer.
- The festive procession, booths, and music provide a lot of fun. Don't forget to try some ginjinha, a tasty liqueur made from Morello cherries.
- The Festa dos Santos Populares is one of Madeira's most popular festivals.
- Traditional parades dedicated to three saints fill the brilliantly adorned streets of Funchal, with abundant music, bonfires, and food vendors. Santo António is the patron saint of love, and many weddings occur around this period.
- So Joo, Porto Santo's patron saint, is honoured with candle-lit balloons.
- So Pedro is the protector of fishermen, and there are grand celebrations in Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava to honour him.
- The Regional Arts Week, which takes place in various locations throughout Funchal, showcases the artistic abilities of Madeira's schoolchildren.
- Aside from the 30 concerts scheduled over the week, there is also a fiercely contested art competition.
- The Regional Government of Madeira and other official educational and administrative departments host the art week to strengthen relationships among local schools.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Funchal Holiday
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Places similar to Funchal to visit
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