Things to Do in Funchal, Madeira
Funchal is the capital city of Madeira and is known for its harbor, gardens, and Madeira wine cellars. Its cathedral, built in the Gothic and Romanesque styles, has an ornately carved wooden ceiling. The city is also home to the So Tiago Fortress, which was built in the 1600s. The museum inside it contains a large collection of Portuguese art.
Funchal is the capital of Madeira
The island of Madeira is home to several museums, a quaint harbor, and Madeira wine cellars. You can tour the medieval Funchal Cathedral, which combines Gothic and Romanesque styles. The cathedral also features a carved wooden ceiling. The town is also home to the So Tiago Fortress, which was built in the 1600s. Inside, you can view a large collection of Portuguese art.
The city of Funchal is located in the southern part of Madeira. It is surrounded by mountains and banana plantations. In the daytime, it is a beautiful, green town with a lively nightlife. The town also has a port for cruise ships. At night, there are many bars and clubs to enjoy.
Funchal was originally founded by the Portuguese navigator Joao Goncalves Zarco in 1421. The city was briefly ruled by the Spanish (1580-1640) and by the British (1801-14). Nowadays, it is the headquarters of Madeiran industry and commerce. It is also the site of a relay station for the Atlantic submarine cable system.
Most visitors to Madeira are based in and near Funchal. This quaint town has a charming mix of classic Portuguese architecture. The whitewashed houses are surrounded by carefully kept gardens. The main hotel district is located in the west part of the city. Many package holidays are based in this area.

It has a small old town
Funchal is a small city with many attractions, including a small old town that is popular with tourists. The old town features narrow cobblestone streets lined with historical buildings and is full of life and shops. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or want to explore the area in a more leisurely way, the old town is a great place to explore.
The town was founded around 1424. Originally it was a beautiful valley with fennel up to the sea. In the fifteenth century, it became a busy maritime port. The city’s fertile soils made it very productive and it became a major trading port. The town became an important stopover for caravels traveling between the New World and the Indies.
Funchal’s old town is filled with 15th-century buildings with cobblestone streets. This historic area is listed as having significant historical significance and is home to several attractions. You can visit the Corpo Santo Chapel, a Gothic-style chapel, and the Sao Tiago Fort, a 16th-century fortress built to protect the coast from pirates. The town also has some interesting museums and galleries.

It has a cable car
If you’re interested in aerial views of Funchal, a cable car ride from the city center is a great idea. The ride will take you 150 meters up into the air and will give you a unique perspective of the town. Located next to the Ronaldo Statue, the cable car also goes past a restaurant and a diving centre.
Another fun way to get around Funchal is on a toboggan. The ride takes around 10 minutes and is 2 km long. The speeds range from eight to thirty miles per hour. If you get tired of speeding down the hill, you can stop at a cafe and enjoy refreshments. Be aware, however, that the toboggan doesn’t go all the way down to Funchal – you’ll have to walk down the hill.
The Funchal cable car was constructed in 1999 and opened in November 2000. It has a capacity of 800 passengers per hour and a total of 40 cabins. It is wheelchair-accessible and offers 360-degree views of the city.

It has a gondola ride
One of the things to do in Funchal is take the cable car. It takes you up Monte. You can also walk through the old town, although you should avoid the tunnels. The town also has two bus routes. Both routes are free of charge. The cable car is a unique way to see the city.
The Funchal cable car starts at the top of the mountain, where it stops to visit the Botanical Gardens. This ride takes about 20 minutes and goes over the mountain. It is an incredible experience, which is both relaxing and thrilling. The cost of a return ticket is 11 euros for adults, while a one-way ticket costs 16 euros.
The cable car has two stations: one in the old town and another in Monte. The cable car can take up to seven people. It’s possible to purchase souvenir photos and snacks at the station. You can also buy souvenirs from the gift shop. If you are a couple, you may want to take the gondola ride for two.
The Funchal cable car offers panoramic views of the city and bay. It is a wonderful way to see the city. Funchal is also known as the Garden City, as it has lush green spaces surrounding most houses. The cable car ride is a relaxing way to see the city, the bay, and the flowers.
It has a working monastery
If you are looking for a unique place to visit in Madeira, you should take a trip to Funchal, where you can find a working monastery. The Santa Clara Monastery is a hidden gem in Funchal, where you must ring the doorbell to enter. Once inside, you will be greeted by a friendly guide. For just 2 Euros, you can take a guided tour of the monastery. The guide is very knowledgeable and speaks excellent English. You will be able to explore the monastery’s church and learn about the nuns who live there. It is also the home of a kindergarten.
There are also several other attractions in Funchal that you can visit. The old town is full of historical sites, museums, and botanical gardens. You can even take a cable car ride or a nature trail walk. You will also find great nightlife in Funchal. Bars and clubs here are open until seven in the morning, and there is also a popular Christmas market in December.
If you’re a history buff, you can also take a guided tour of the city’s Old Town. This hilltop district has some of the best shops and restaurants on the island, as well as a rustic culture. The Funchal Old Town tour will show you the historical center of the city, as well as the painted walls and bay-facing statue of Jesus Christ.

It has a big New Year’s fireworks show
The town of Funchal is famous for its spectacular New Year’s fireworks display. It is in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the biggest shows in the world. The show begins 15 minutes before midnight. The best viewing spots are around the marina and from a boat tour.
The festivities of the holiday season continue throughout the island until January 6th, the “Dia de Reis”. On December 30th, the city is packed with people of all nationalities who gather for a fancy dinner and party until the wee hours of the morning. There is also a fireworks show, accompanied by music by the Madeira Orchestra.
The fireworks show in Funchal was officially named the largest in the world in 2006/7, a feat that was achieved in collaboration with the Macedos pyrotechnic company. This spectacular display costs over a million Euros and is a highlight of the festive season. Many boats and cruise ships line up to watch the show, which is one of the island’s biggest attractions.
Although the city of Funchal is bustling on any day, it becomes a buzzing hub of activity on New Year’s Eve. The streets are bustling with people talking, eating from street food stands, and watching the fireworks show. In fact, this event was recognized as one of the best in the world by the Guinness Book of Records for five years running.