Come with us and explore Funchal!
Located north of the Canary Islands and off the coast of Morocco, the archipelago of Madeira is made up of Madeira (the main island), Porto Santo and desert islands. Today, we have decided to take you to the south east of the main island on a quick tour of the capital city, Funchal. The name comes from the Portuguese “funcho” meaning “fennel”. Strange huh? Well, this is because when the island of Madeira was discovered in the XV Century, wild fennel grew in abundance in the area and thus the name stuck! With 110 000 inhabitants, Funchal is built like an amphitheatre around the bay and is a lively city with a pleasant climate and friendly locals. It’s a great city for a walking holiday and we have a few of our top tips to share with you.
When to visit?
A walking holiday in Madeira is possible all year round due to its subtropical climate and pleasant temperatures. However, some months in Funchal prove very popular with tourists, such as February during the carnival season and May during the flower festival. If you are planning on visiting during the latter month you will soon understand why Madeira is known as “the flower island”. The end of December is also a popular time to visit due to the incredible New Year’s Eve fire work display where the whole of Funchal bay is illuminated in an explosion of colour and noise.
What to see?
There really is something for everyone here. For those with a keen eye for architecture and monuments, take the time to meander through the streets and admire the churches, cathedrals and traditional whitewashed houses adorned with fuchsia coloured bougainvillea.
Continuing with the flower theme, any horticultural enthusiasts on a Madeira walking trip must visit the botanical gardens and the Monte tropical gardens. Located on the city heights, you can access the gardens by cable car. For the descent, we highly recommend trying the “Carros de Cesto”, a wicker sledge pushed by 2 men dressed from head to toe in white, you can gather speed of up to 50km an hour! It’s a real experience!
Returning to the city centre, you can indulge in a teatime treat and try the “Bolo de Mel” - similar to gingerbread, it is the traditional cake of the island and is made with sugar cane or honey. You can visit a cellar and sample some Madeira wine or enjoy a stroll in the Lavradores indoor market, an iconic place in the capital.
For any football lovers who dream of crossing paths with Cristiano Ronaldo (yes, he was born and bred in Madeira!), you may not have such luck, but you can visit the CR7 museum and pose for a photo next to his statue.
Where to go out in the evening?
In the heart of the old part of Funchal, the “Rua Santa Maria” is the place to go. It is one of the oldest streets in the city and very popular due to the many bars and restaurants. Here, you can sip on a “poncha” - a local cocktail made with rum, honey, lemon and orange juice. It’s delicious! This lively street is also one of the most beautiful and most photographed streets in Funchal as almost every door has been painted by local artists. Real masterpieces, their artwork has given a new lease of life to the old city centre.
An ideal stopover on your walking holiday in Madeira, there is lots to see and do on a weekend break in Funchal.
