Фотогалерея ‒ Funchal, Portugal

Guide to Funchal

Virtual tour in Funchal

Funchal is the primary city on the island of Madeira. When you're here, you might not even want to visit museums, as beauty surrounds you at every corner! Pay attention to the local parks and botanical gardens, where exotic plants from around the world are on display. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Palheiro Manor Park, and the Madeira Botanical Gardens are among the most popular.

For stunning views and picturesque photo opportunities, take the cable car to the top of Monte Mountain. The ride offers views of the city's neighborhoods, allowing you to observe local life. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even return downhill on a wooden sled.

For those who come to Funchal to swim and sunbathe, there are plenty of convenient beaches. The most famous one is Praia Formosa, located to the west of the city. It's marked with a blue flag, signifying clean water, and offers amenities like parking, showers, toilets, a playground, a lifeguard station, and sports equipment rentals. Within the city limits, you'll find two free pebble beaches with basic facilities: Praia do Gorgulho and Praia de São Tiago. Many hotels also have swimming pools for guests who prefer not to go to the beach.

Tips for tourists

The most popular souvenirs are items of clothing, linens, tablecloths and various accessories decorated with traditional embroidery, as well as local wines.
If you plan to actively use public transportation, buy tickets in advance (1.25-1.35 EUR per piece). A fare from a driver costs 1.95 EUR.
Try the Espetada de Carne - meat marinated in a special sauce, roasted over a fire, sablefish and fruits grown exclusively in Madeira.
Population
111 992
Time zone
UTC+0
Language
Portuguese
Currency
EUR

Tours to Funchal

Funchal is often considered the heart of the Portuguese island of Madeira, and it's possible to have a relatively affordable trip here. The total cost of your vacation will depend on factors such as accommodation, food, and travel expenses. Flying is the most cost-effective and efficient way to reach this Portuguese resort. With budget accommodation, a one-week trip to Funchal can cost around 900 EUR.

You may be able to lower these prices further by finding last-minute deals, which can often be found through online resources.

The demand for last-minute trips to Funchal tends to decrease from November to March. If you want to combine sightseeing with a beach vacation, May is an excellent time to visit Funchal. The weather is warm, and prices are still at low-season levels.

Funchal's volcanic island landscape makes it ideal for activities like mountain climbing and hiking. Visitors are also enchanted by the beautiful parks in the area.

It's remarkable how a volcanic island has managed to create stunning attractions like the Orchid Garden, the Madeira Botanical Gardens, and the Palheiro Estate. Among the architectural landmarks, the local cathedral and the Fortaleza Santiago fortress are particularly intriguing.

Interesting places in Funchal

Funchal travel agencies offer excursions in and around the city, where you'll see all the most interesting sights. If you're used to walking on your own, it's easy to find ready-made routes around the Old Town on the internet. For shopping in Funchal, it's enough to allocate a few hours to buy souvenirs for relatives and, of course, the famous madera. As darkness falls, Funchal's many nightclubs and bars invite you to relax.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

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The most convenient way to reach Lisbon and then fly to Madeira is by taking a domestic flight. Lufthansa offers some of the cheapest round-trip tickets to Funchal, starting from 425 EUR, with two connections typically in Munich (or Frankfurt am Main) and Lisbon. Similar options are available from other airlines, albeit at a higher cost, and the travel duration can vary from 2 to 4 hours.

The best hotels in Funchal

The most budget-friendly option for overnight accommodation is hostels. Accommodation in a common room costs from 10 EUR, you can rent a separate double room for 25 EUR per day. The cost of staying in a hotel depends on its location (proximity to the ocean). A room in the hotel, which is separated from the beaches 20-30 minutes walk, will cost you from 20 EUR, if you want to settle on the first line, prepare a minimum of 30 EUR per day. Accommodation in a 5* hotel costs from 80 EUR per night, among the best hotels are Reid's Palace and Cliff Bay.

The cost of vacation

If you need to reduce the budget of your trip to Funchal, first of all try to save money on tickets. You should buy them as early as possible, comparing offers for neighboring dates. Subscribe to the newsletters of the airlines you are interested in, so that you can learn about discounts in time. It is also advisable to book accommodation well in advance, as it is difficult to find affordable options during the season (from April to September). Those traveling without children should pay attention to hostels offering inexpensive accommodation.

The budget for a trip to Funchal
Visa - Flight from 850 EUR
Accommodation from 20 EUR per day Average check in a restaurant from 30 EUR
Transportation fare from 1.25 EUR Excursion from 40 EUR
Total: about 1760 EUR for a week for two people

Funchal: tips for tourists

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Visa to Funchal

No visa needed for European citizens

Funchal Airport

The nearest international airport is Aeroporto da Madeira, located 16 km from Funchal. It is among the largest in Portugal, along with the airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

Transfer to Funchal from the airport

The most affordable way to get from Madeira Airport to the resort is by Aerobus shuttle. Buses leave every half hour and travel time is about 40 minutes. The ticket price is 5 EUR. A cab ride costs about 25-30 EUR, 20% more at night.

Public transportation in Funchal

City and suburban bus routes are operated by Horarios do Funchal. Tickets are priced by distance and can be purchased in advance or from the driver. You can save money by buying passes for a specific number of journeys or time.

Car rental in Funchal

The minimum cost of renting a car is about 22 EUR per day. It is advantageous to sign a contract for a longer period of time (more than a week), because in this case the price for each day will be lower. Free parking is available near many hotels in the center and on the seafront.

Safety in Funchal

The situation in the city is calm and thefts are rare, but simple safety rules should not be ignored. Keep valuables, original documents and large amounts of cash in your hotel room, and keep an eye on your bags and pockets in crowded places.

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