What to visit in Funchal, Madeira Island
Funchal is a city with many refinements that conquers many travelers. Surely you will have heard very good things about this little paradise on earth. Well, if you haven’t heard about the city, we will, throughout this article, try to show you several points that should mark the location and be part of your travel itinerary to Madeira Island.
The city is well known for its port, for its wines, for the complexity of the landscape that involves beautiful beaches and unforgettable greenery, which mixed with the hills of the region brings a very peaceful view of the city.
It is an area full of historic buildings, such as the Cathedral of Funchal and the fortress of São Tiago, built in the 17th century.
And it’s not just beauty that the city thrives on. The contemporary art museum, dedicated to the great Portuguese artists, is also a popular tourist spot. Anyway, there’s no point in saying so little, let’s describe the places a little more and discover more about the culture and beauties.
Paços do Concelho
(C) jad99
It is a somewhat old architectural site. It is located in the building of the Municipality of Funchal. It is a building that was built by the Conde of Carvalhal, in 1758. It has a beautiful presentation of the art of that period.
It is possible to visit the place, it opens on weekdays until 11 am. It is quite extensive, with gardens and rooms with an architecture very different from what we see today, perhaps, at this point, this construction gains even more advantage over many others!
Praça do Município
The town square is an area with several important buildings for the city of Funchal. Visitors love to observe and appreciate its beauty in terms of architecture, being a place where you will find several buildings with great relevance for the entire region. As is to be expected, Praça do Município at many times of the year is full of curious people and architecture lovers from different periods!
Sé do Funchal
(C) Diego Delso
It is a well-known religious temple in the Madeira region, commonly called Nossa Senhora da Assunção Church. It is one of the few buildings that is so intact for so long, the church was built in 1493, that is, it has been centuries since its inauguration.
Perhaps it is a great place to visit and learn a little more about the history of Funchal. There are certain visits that can help you learn a little more about the place, the culture and why it was built.
Palácio de São Lourenço
(C) PESP/ Wikimedia
The Palácio de São Lourenço is a huge and very beautiful building, also dating from the 15th century, more precisely in the 1490s. It is one of the buildings that has a direct connection with the civil and military side of Madeira Island. It comprises the region of the Fortress of São Lourenço.
If you want to take a historic trip, nothing better than starting with these two buildings mentioned here. With a good guide you will learn a lot about the nature of the region. It’s a place with more history than you might think.
Avenida do Mar
(C) Andriusplatukis
Avenida do Mar is a very old area, dating from the same historical period as the others mentioned here. In other words, it is a road that has remained important for the city of Funchal until the present day, especially its value for the region today, it is very important.
The name is related to the sea that surrounds the road and that once entered the streets. It is an ideal place to take a quiet walk and make the most of tourism in the region. You will also find many important establishments, given its great importance for the city, the investment in the avenue is massive.
Forte de São Tiago
(C) Ricardo Figueira
Another construction that reflects the military character of the region. Forte de São Tiago is a place close to the sea and has a very beautiful architecture, perfect to visit.
The construction dates back to approximately 1614 and its main function was the defense of the place, however, today, it houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, already mentioned here.
Casino da Madeira
And if you think that Funchal is just a big historic center, you are completely wrong. European Casinos are well known, and if you like this type of game, you will find in the Madeira region an ideal place for it: the Madeira Casino.
Evidently, the casino has a well-finished construction that draws a lot of attention, even those who don’t plan to play, think about visiting the place to get to know it from the inside. It’s quite flashy, especially at night with lots of lights that don’t go unnoticed at all. Find out more at Casino Madeira.
Cable car
If you like to have a privileged view of a place, you will love the Funchal cable car. Currently, with the problems we are facing in the world, access may be a little more complicated, however, there is indeed something to be said for it.
With more than 40 cabins and 8 locations each, you can easily reach an upper part of the city. It is worth remembering that this happens in an approximate period of 15 minutes, so you can enjoy the ride a lot. You will have a vision of the green that highlights the region, as well as the beaches that will seem far away, you will have, in other words, a perfect and complete scenario!
Convento de Santa Clara
(C) GualdimG
It was once a convent that took in the daughters of noble families. There they stayed, studied and lived for a long time. In the mid-19th century, with the eradication of several religious orders, the convent stopped admitting novices and became part of the region’s historical heritage.
If you plan to visit the place it’s a great way to pass the time, seeing the buildings and the designer of that time, as it is another construction that has persevered over time.
Jardim Botânico da Madeira
If green, yellow, pink, red and other colors are something you like to see, then on your trip to Madeira, visit the Botanical Garden. More than 2500 species of plants and fauna are not far behind, with birds and other types of animals.
It is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the region and that those who still don’t know should know. It’s a big space with lots of flowers and a wonderful view.
Museu CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo
The land of Cristiano Ronaldo. Did you know that the football star was born in Madeira? No? Well, not only was he born, but he also has a museum made especially for him, with a lot of emphasis on his achievements.
If you like football and especially the player, there’s nothing better than taking a break in this place to learn more about his history, it’s really worth it!
Museu da Madeira
This is the landmark of the city, so much so that it gets its name from the archipelago. It is one of the most beautiful museums in the region and has several works and important points of knowledge. It is a very interesting option for tourists, given its easy access!
Museu Militar
You can visit this one and be delighted with all the exhibitions. It is a military museum that tells a lot about the history of the region. It is a place to visit and observe medieval weapons and weapons used by the region. As already said, the island has a lot of history to be told!
So, are you interested? Well, lucky for you, this place is open for people to visit and learn more about everything in the region.
Mercado dos Lavradores
A region more focused on the commercial side, but with an architecture that draws a lot of attention. The interesting thing about this place, as its name suggests, is that it is excellent for consuming some typical products of the region, with a lot of emphasis on drinks such as Poncha.
You can taste the food and enjoy the region, the people are very cordial and friendly, so it’s a good place to spend a quiet afternoon.
Igreja do Colégio
The Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal, as it is also known, is another old building that has a very striking architecture, which is a little different from what we see today. From floor to ceiling you will be impressed by the artistic creativity of the region, it is a point worth making a stop.
Zona Velha
As its name suggests, this is a perfect place to understand more about the colonial period of the region, being highly regarded for presenting several old buildings, some of them already mentioned in this article.
Every tourist ends up developing a taste for this region because it is extremely beautiful and old at the same time, and there is nothing better in the city of Funchal than this mix of recent and old!
Jardim Tropical Monte Palace
Of the various places presented in this article, if you are looking for a very beautiful place, we have to talk about the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. It is a mixture of green and colorful, in addition, it has different characteristics, such as a lake that surrounds the region, making this one of the most interesting points to visit in Funchal!
Schedules
Every day except December 25th
Garden Visit Hours: 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
Museum Visiting Hours: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Guided Tours of the Museum are free of charge, however they are subject to pre-booking and are for groups only.
Note: The interior of the Palace building cannot be visited.
Tickets
Caminho das Babosas, 4A (Entrance Next to the Cable Car)
Aloe Path, 4 (North Entrance)
Caminho do Monte, 174 (East Entrance)
9050-288 Funchal
Madeira, Portugal
Note: The entrance located at Caminho do Monte, number 174, is closed on weekends.
Price
Adults 12.50 Euros (VAT exempt)
Children under 15: Free admission when accompanied by adults.
Schools: Free admission, upon presentation of credentials and subject to appointment for guided tours.
Carros de Cesto da Madeira
If you are looking for a quirky entertainment, this will definitely be one of them. In general, you will have to take a “basket car”, common in the region, and go down a huge slope. It’s a different kind of fun, but one that many who pass by don’t dare miss it.
So, do you dare? Visit the website for more information.
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Monte
Famous church in the Funchal region, one of the main buildings in the parish of Monte. It has a great advantage for tourists, which is, in addition to its impeccable architecture, a good dimensioning of the place, with large stairs and an easy location / access, you will not have great difficulties in getting there.
It was inaugurated in 1748, although data indicate that its construction was requested in 1471. Over time, it incorporated new arts, making it even more beautiful and different from others.
Museu do Brinquedo
It is a somewhat different museum from the ones mentioned here, this is more a form of entertainment than a way to know more about history. It’s a huge cluster of different and fun pieces. See and learn more in the video above.
These are just some of the main tourist attractions to visit in Funchal, on Madeira Island. Add them to your travel itinerary and have fun in this little paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Promoções de Viagens para a Madeira
