The map of Funchal can be roughly divided into four parts:
- Dormitories in the western part of the city with small and rather modest white houses with red tiled roofs - the Portuguese version of the private sector.
- The hotel district, spreading along the entire coast, is the most interesting part of Funchal's map for tourists.
- The historical part with narrow streets and architectural monuments.
- The park zone.
In Funchal, tourists are better off staying near the seafront (where fashionable hotels and cozy hotels are located) or in the western part of the city, where private houses offer reasonably priced accommodations. The only downside is that public transportation may be necessary to reach the beaches and the main attractions.
For the best neighborhood in Funchal to stay in, hotels with their own beaches are highly recommended, as they provide all the necessary amenities. These hotels are situated along the entire coast and offer the added advantage of being within walking distance of the historic part of the city, known locally as Zona Velha.
There are no dangerous areas in Funchal, and like other resort towns, the city maintains a calm and relaxed atmosphere. It's advisable to avoid wandering into the outlying quarters of the western part of the city in the evening, as many of the buildings there are either empty or still under construction.
