Hotels in Funchal

Perched on the southern coast of Madeira, Funchal is the island’s capital and principal city. The subtropical temperature doesn’t fluctuate much and remains balmy in winter making Funchal a year-round holiday destination. With 500 years’ of history, cobbled streets, old churches, a smart marina and a promenade edging the sea, Funchal has a rich range of things to do. It’s a cosmopolitan place offering elegant restaurants, stylish clubs and modern shops. In the old town, 15th-century buildings, traditional boutiques, tiny cafes and art shops line the streets. The must-see sites of Funchal include the majestic gardens of Monte, Sé Cathedral and the Madeira Wine Museum.

The majority of Madeira’s holiday accommodation is located in Funchal. There are plenty of cheap hotels in the city, most within walking distance of the sea. Budget-friendly apartments with a pool and luxury hotels are also available in Funchal, all close to the beautiful sites and must-see locations.

Neighbourhoods of Funchal

A network of narrow streets make up the Zona Velha, or Old Town of Funchal. Traditional eateries, a weekly flea market, an ancient church and front doors painted by artists draw people to this part of the city. Other neighbourhoods include:

• The parish of Monte can be found 500 metres above sea level in the hills of Funchal. It’s where the Church of Our Lady of Monte, the Monte Palace Gardens and Santa Catarina Park are all located.
• The New Town boasts the Dolce Vita shopping mall, a cinema, globally branded shops and modern restaurants.
• Seafood restaurants, the Ronaldo museum and ice-cream kiosks feature at The Marina along with pleasant areas to sit and relax.

What to see and do in Funchal

Ride the cable car to Monte and tour the spectacular gardens filled with tropical plants and trees. There are a few different gardens to see, choose one or visit them all, but make time to visit the Church of Our Lady while you are in Monte. To get down the steep hillside, take a ride on Funchal’s best-known attraction, the wicker basket toboggans. Driven by men in traditional costume, you will whiz down the cobbled streets at break-neck speed. Football fans will want to tour CR7, the Cristiano Ronaldo museum near the port. The Madeira Story Museum will take you through the history of the island.

What to eat in Funchal

Funchal is the place to order fish. Along the seafront or in the Old Town, there are unique dishes such as espada (black scabbard fish) and cod served with fried banana. Carne Vinha D'Alhos, a local pork dish is served in Funchal’s farmers market. When drinking the obligatory espresso, you can order a Madeiran custard tart, called Pasteis de Nata, to enjoy at the same time.

Typical events and festivals in Funchal

The Madeira Flower Festival fills the streets of Funchal with blooms in April or May every year. The Sé Festival happens in late May with every street in the city brightly decorated. On the 14th and 15th August annually, The Monte Festival sees a figure of Virgin Mary paraded along streets and in early September, the Wine Festival is celebrated with music, local food and lots of vino.

How to move around in Funchal

Funchal has a regular bus service that links the areas of the city. There is also a minibus service which is wheelchair friendly, called Linha Eco, that must be hailed. Taxis are yellow in colour with rates set by the government. Rental cars are available for exploring Madeira.

The climate in Funchal

Funchal enjoys a year-round, subtropical climate with winter temperatures only dropping to around 16°C. August is the hottest month at an average of 25°C and January sees the most rain. The gardens of Funchal are their most colourful in spring and summer.

More interesting facts about and sights in Funchal

Although Funchal is a bustling city, there are 4 beaches within walking distance. The New Year’s Eve firework display is said to be the largest in the world. Funchal is also considered one of the safest cities in Europe.