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    Funchal
    City

    Portugal

    Funchal

    Funchal is Madeira's capital, spreading amphitheatrically up the slopes from the harbour. The old town, Zona Velha, with its painted doors, the Mercado dos Lavradores market hall and the cathedral, lies by the sea.

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Portugal
    7. Madeira
    9. Funchal
    Funchal is Madeira's capital, spreading amphitheatrically up the slopes from the harbour. The old town, Zona Velha, with its painted doors, the Mercado dos Lavradores market hall and the cathedral, lies by the sea. Higher up, you reach the Monte district with its gardens via cable car.
    Funchal, with approx. 105,000 residents, is Madeira's hub. The city sits in a south coast bay, rising steeply several hundred meters. By the water are the harbor, promenade, cathedral, and Old Town Zona Velha, where artists painted Rua de Santa Maria's doors. A 15-minute cable car ride reaches Monte, featuring its Pilgrimage Church and Monte Palace Tropical Garden; descent is traditionally by wicker toboggan. The center is walkable; for upper districts, use city buses or taxis. Funchal is the best base for island-wide excursions.

    Sights in Funchal

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Cable car to Monte
    Attraction

    1Cable car to Monte

    The cable car leads from the old town by the sea in about 15 minutes up to Monte, at an altitude of around 550 meters, with views over Funchal and the bay. At the top are the pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora do Monte, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and the start of the traditional downhill wicker toboggan rides.
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    The Funchal Sé
    Church

    2The Funchal Sé

    Built in the late 15th/early 16th century, financed by the sugar trade, the cathedral's exterior is plain with white plaster and dark basalt; inside, it boasts a carved cedarwood Mudéjar-style ceiling and a gilded high altar.
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    Monte Palace Tropical Garden
    Garden

    3Monte Palace Tropical Garden

    Terraced garden on the Monte hillside with plants from many continents, Koi ponds, Azulejo panels on Portuguese history, and a collection of minerals. The garden lies a few steps from the cable car top station.
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    Rua de Santa Maria
    Attraction

    4Rua de Santa Maria

    Funchal's oldest street leads through the old town Zona Velha. As part of the 'Arte de Portas Abertas' project, artists have been painting the house doors since 2010; between them are restaurants and small bars.
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    Restaurants in Funchal

    Food and Drink

    Mercado dos Lavradores

    Market hall from 1940 with fruits, flowers, and fish, including the black scabbardfish. It's busiest in the morning.

    Poncha

    Sugar cane spirit with honey and lemon, served in small bars of Zona Velha.

    Lapas

    Limpets, grilled in the frying pan with garlic butter and lemon.

    History & Character

    Sugar City on the AtlanticFunchal was founded in the 15th century and grew with the sugar trade; its cathedral was built around 1500. Later, the wine trade and British merchants shaped the city, and in the 19th century, wealthy guests came to relax in its mild climate.FestivitiesAmong the most famous events are the spring Flower Festival with its parades and flower carpets, and the grand New Year's Eve fireworks display over the bay, which draws many cruise ships.

    Exploring Locally

    On Foot, Bus and Cable CarExplore the center between the harbour, market hall, and old town on foot. Yellow city buses serve the higher districts, and intercity buses connect to other island towns. The cable car starts at the Old Town promenade, leading to Monte; another connects Monte with the Botanical Garden.Aerobuses and taxis run from the airport to the center in about 20 to 30 minutes.The streets above the old town are very steep; plan a bus or taxi for uphill.

    Accommodations in Funchal

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    Campgrounds in Funchal

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      • 1Cable car to Monte3 days
      • 2The Funchal Sé4 days
      • 3Monte Palace Tropical Garden5 days
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    Nearby

    Pico do Arieiro

    Pico do Arieiro

    The Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters, is Madeira's third-highest peak and accessible by car almost to the summit. From here, the PR1 hiking trail leads over ridges, stairs, and through tunnels to Pico Ruivo, the island's highest mountain. At sunrise, a sea of clouds often lies beneath the summit.
    Madeira

    Madeira

    Madeira is a volcanic island in the Atlantic, almost 1,000 kilometers southwest of Lisbon and a good 500 kilometers off the coast of Morocco. Steep mountains rising over 1,800 meters, laurel forests, irrigation channels (Levadas), and a rugged coastline characterize the island; the climate is mild all year round. The Autonomous Region also includes the small neighboring island of Porto Santo, with a long sandy beach.
    Santana

    Santana

    Santana, on Madeira's green north coast, is known for its traditional triangular thatched-roof houses, which are today preserved mainly as display pieces. The village is a starting point for hikes in the laurel forest, such as to Caldeirão Verde, and for the drive to Pico Ruivo.
    Ponta de São Lourenço

    Ponta de São Lourenço

    The Ponta de São Lourenço is Madeira's narrow, almost treeless eastern peninsula. A hiking trail (PR8) crosses red and ochre volcanic rocks, offering views of sheer cliffs on both sides. Shade is scarce; bring water and sun protection, and start early.
    Porto Moniz

    Porto Moniz

    Porto Moniz is situated on Madeira's far northwestern tip. The town is known for its natural swimming pools formed from dark lava rock, into which seawater washes in at high tide. The journey there takes you across the Paul da Serra high plateau or along the north coast, featuring waterfalls and steep cliffs.