A capital on the bay
Funchal was elevated to city status on 21 August 1508 by the royal charter of King Manuel I.
Funchal Cathedral, Madeira's cathedral, displays features of the Manueline and Gothic periods. The city is the epicentre of Carnival in Madeira, held every year, and the Atlantic Festival is held every June.
Market and gardens
The Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market) opened in 1940 and is an architectural example of the 'Estado Novo' period.
The Madeira Botanical Garden, created in 1960, houses a varied collection of botanical species from all over the world, some of them endangered. Santa Catarina Park overlooks the port and the bay.
Sledges and cable cars
The Monte Sledges date back to the early 19th century. A handcrafted transport originally used to take locals down to the city, they still run today.
An urban transport network covers the whole of Funchal, and ways of getting around range from the traditional sledges to cable cars.
Getting to Funchal
Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, in Santa Cruz, is the main gateway to the region, and the Port of Funchal is on the route of the major international cruise ships. From Lisbon the flight takes 90 minutes.
From the city, excursions go out to sea on the Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Madeira and inland on the Full-Day Tour to Nun's Valley & Pico dos Barcelos Madeira.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madeira's climate mild all year round?
Yes: average temperatures range from 15 °C (59 °F) in the winter to 25 °C (77 °F) in the summer.
What is the Laurissilva forest of Madeira?
A forest about 20 million years old that occupies around 15,000 hectares, 20% of the island, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.
