Funchal

Travel Guide

Madeira
Funchal showing night scenes and a coastal town
Funchal featuring a bay or harbour
Funchal which includes a coastal town and a house
Funchal

The capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is a beautiful city on the southern coast offering beaches, historic buildings and marine wildlife adventures. 

With houses built on the side of a hill, an attractive bay and a mountainous backdrop, Funchal has one of Portugal’s most beautiful settings. The coastal city is the capital of the island of Madeira and combines a modern beach resort with hundreds of years of history. Surf, tour ancient buildings and sail the ocean to see whales and dolphins.

The town is named for the bright yellow fennel (funcho in Portuguese) that grew here when the Portuguese settled the area in the early 15th century.

Funchal’s natural beauty isn’t confined to the coast and surrounding mountains. Spend a few hours in the sunken, rose and French gardens of Jardins de Palheiro. Stroll through Jardim Orquidea’s miniature jungle filled with varied orchid species. Enjoy thousands of blooms at the Madeira Botanical Gardens.

Explore the historic buildings of the old town area. Admire the stained-glass windows, baroque altars and gothic arches of the 16th-century Sé Cathedral. Amble along cobblestone streets lined by old buildings, some dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Visit the Museo Municipal for its natural history exhibits. Gaze at the collection of Turkish and North African decorative tiles at the Frederico de Freitas Museum.

Ride the cable car up to Monte, a small village 1,804 feet (550 metres) above sea level. When you want to come back down to Funchal, ride a toboggan. These resemble large wicker baskets and are pushed down the steep roads by drivers.

Walk along the promenade from the city centre to the Praia Formosa, a collection of beaches. Venture farther out to sea on a dolphin- and whale-watching trip or take a boat cruise along the coast.

As Madeira’s capital city, Funchal has good transportation links. Madeira Airport is 13 miles (21 kilometres) away. With Funchal’s mild subtropical climate, its beaches, gardens and historic sites can be enjoyed year-round.

Where to stay in Funchal

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Old Town Funchal

If you're spending some time in Old Town Funchal, Funchal-Monte Teleferico and Funchal Farmers Market are top sights worth seeing.

Old Town Funchal
Museum of Natural History which includes a city and street scenes

Sao Pedro

4.5/5(77 area reviews)

Sao Pedro is known for its colourful gardens, and you can plan a trip to Holy Trinity Church and Quinta das Cruzes Museum while you're in town.

Sao Pedro
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São Roque

São Roque is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Funchal area, you might plan a trip to Madeira Congress Center or Monte Palace Gardens.

São Roque
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Imaculado Coracao de Maria

Visitors to Imaculado Coracao de Maria like its gardens and seaside views, and Quinta Palmeira is a sight worth a stop.

Imaculado Coracao de Maria
Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
5 out of 5
Avenida do Infante, 25, Funchal
The price is S$602 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
S$602
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (576 reviews)
"Fantastic pool; fairly good service. A little over the top on extras. For example ice: 5 Euro charge. The pool service was not good at all. I loved that they left little cards to give to a staff member with exceptional service but I didn’t find someone truly worthy. I would have given it to Bruno. ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
Barcelo Funchal Oldtown
Barcelo Funchal Oldtown
5 out of 5
Rua Da Alfandega 9, Funchal, Maadeira
The price is S$411 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
S$411
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (217 reviews)
"Great stay right downtown. This hotel did a great job acknowledging a special stay and making us feel welcome. Location could not be better for walking to most anything downtown, rooms and products nice, and breakfast was exceptional. Cons- parking is so confusing. They have no parking at hotel or ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Barcelo Funchal Oldtown
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
5 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 139, Funchal
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$1,027 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$1,027
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (577 reviews)
"-"

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pestana Casino Studios
Pestana Casino Studios
4 out of 5
Av. do Infante, nº9, Funchal, Madeira
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions CR7 Museum and Barreiros ...
9/10 Wonderful! (50 reviews)
"Nous avons été bien reçu. La localisation est parfaite. Le déjeuner est bien. L’accès à l’hôtel à côté permet de profiter de la piscine et du spa."

Reviewed on 3 May, 2025

Pestana Casino Studios
Florasol Residence Hotel
Florasol Residence Hotel
3 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 306, Funchal
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (199 reviews)
"Amazing staff especially Marcia"

Reviewed on 15 Jun, 2025

Florasol Residence Hotel
Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
3 out of 5
Caminho das Romeiras, Funchal, Madeira
Stay at this 3-star golf villa in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions CR7 Museum and Barreiros Stadium are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Amazing from the start, no issue no hassle! Highly recommend. Get the Mountain View."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Funchal

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
254
5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
97
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Funchal is a very nice place to go but under current circumstances not a lot we could do about anything,felt sorry for people on island

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We like Funchal and Madeira very much and like to spend the winter months there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Take the cable car up to Monte, and the toboggan down!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Try the back street cafes, better value and meet the locals.

5/5 - Excellent

Sally

Want to live there!

4/5 - Good

Deep

Beautiful place, we went on jeep safari to Westside, would love to visit again to see east and spend few days in porto santa. Plenty to do and visit, and weather is good even in early Feb.