The capital of Madeira is the perfect city to explore at your own pace. Walking around Funchal is always a pleasant experience, as the green of the mountains and the blue of the ocean accompany you while you discover this city by the sea.
Moderate / high difficulty if you walking down (some walk the other way!). We took funicular (one-way 11 euro) to the top (Monte) and then walked the trail all the way down to Funchal. The first 1 km is a stone road. Then approximately 2km of steps in clay, often very steep.
One of the most iconic places to go shopping in Funchal is Rua Dr.Fernão de Ornelas, named after the mayor who, in the first half of the 20th century, prepared the city to welcome tourism.
Jacaranda mimosifolia is a sub-tropical fern-like deciduous tree on the Bignoneaceae family, native to south-central South America (Argentina, Bolivia and, probably, Brazil) that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its beautiful and long-lasting purple/blue flowers.
Funchal is generally considered safe for female travelers. The city is known for its friendly locals and low crime rate. Women should still take the usual precautions when traveling, such as avoiding walking alone at night and keeping valuables out of sight.
The southwest is the place to be for more guaranteed sun; Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta boast the best climates on the island followed by Funchal, Camera de lobos and Machico.
Weather in FunchalThe average temperature is around 26°C, which lowers to around 20°C to 25°C from October to March. The best time to go to Funchal for the most heat is in the summer. August is the hottest time of the year with just nine rainy days spread over the month.
We experienced differences in temperature from 26 degrees in Funchal and 28 degrees in Ponta do Sol (the warmest place on the island), to as low as 16 degrees in Achada da Cruz and finally a nice 20 degrees in Porto Moniz.
The southwest is the place to be for more guaranteed sun; Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta boast the best climates on the island followed by Funchal, Camera de lobos and Machico.
The most famous street art street in Madeira is probably the Rua de Santa Maria (Santa Maria Street) in the Old Town of Funchal. Interesting paintings, art installations, and murals can also be found in other Madeira towns.
Most places in Madeira do take cards, but you'll need some cash for buses, and I've heard that some of the cable cars only take cash too (the cable car from the promenade in Funchal does take cards). The small shops and cafes I visited all took cards but it's best to have some money just in case.
Location. The base station is located in the garden of Almirante Reis, in the historic area of Funchal, with the top, in Monte, halfway between Largo das Babosas and Jardins do Monte.
On the dramatic northeast coast, around 35 minutes from Funchal, Alagoa is one of the best beaches in Madeira for combining sandy days, surfing, and scenic viewpoints.