Funchal, Madeira

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

The 6th largest city of Portugal, known for its wine and amazing weather, Funchal is more than just the hometown of Cristiano Ronaldo. The city is filled with historical buildings, fantastic cuisine and surrounded by truly spectacular Madeira nature. Make sure to taste the famous Madeira wine and pastel de nata.

Population:

111,892

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112

Opening Hours:

Newspapers:

Funchal Notícias

The City

Take a look at Funchal and you will see different areas, each with its own individual attributes, which make Funchal the city that it is today. The city centre, also known as the old town, is marked by cobbled streets, museums, cafes, markets and everything that you need on a holiday. Even the main port is located near the centre, so you can easily walk there and relax whilst looking at the boats on the Atlantic ocean.

You can find the up and coming Santo António area in the north-eastern part of Funchal. The area contains unique artisan shops, a chapel from the 16th century and the biggest shopping mall of Madeira, Madeira Shopping. If you are looking for an area filled with restaurants, São Martinho is the place to go. This part of the city is known for high quality restaurants and a beautiful view of the ocean.

Do & See

Funchal has no shortage of cultural pursuits or things to do. With a large amount of museums, gardens, cathedrals and tours, it's simply impossible to get bored. Surrounded by the magnificent Atlantic ocean, green mountains and boasting amazing weather, the city centre is characterised by white cobbled streets, an attractive promenade, and cafes which serve authentic Portuguese and Madeiran dishes. A relatively small town, everything is walkable and easy to find.

Dining

If there is one thing for certain, you won't run out of restaurants to try in Funchal. The city is known for staying true to the roots of Madeiran cuisine, which is praised by both locals and visitors. There is a lot of seafood to discover, for example the traditional dish Espada com Banana, which is swordfish served with fried bananas. Don't worry, there are also plenty of dishes which feature steak, or other types of meat.

Cafes

Portugal is known for its delicious sweet pastries and cakes. One of the most famous ones is the pastel de nata, a tart filled with creamy egg custard. But you won't only find a pastelaria full of pasteis de nata, they have much more to offer such as pastel de côco, and tarte de amêndoa. For those among us who don't speak Portuguese, these pastries are a coconut and almond tarts. Get yourself a cup of coffee or tea and you will have the perfect lunch. Be prepared to return home having packed on a couple of extra pounds.