Funchal offers several ways to shape a stay: historic buildings and museums, gardens with collections, viewpoints and paths along the water. Those interested in cultural history will find monuments and collections from different centuries; those who prefer landscape views can choose between a viewpoint at an altitude of 1,129 metres and a panoramic vista from a city park.

History and Buildings in Funchal

Zona Velha covers the area where Funchal’s first settlement is thought to have been established. Capela de Santa Catarina is considered the capital’s oldest religious monument. Sé do Funchal has been a National Monument since 1910. The Gothic cloister can be visited at Convento de Santa Clara, offering a tangible glimpse of the convent’s architecture.

Fortaleza de São Tiago dates from the early 17th century and is located above the waterfront area of Zona Velha. A visit offers the chance to learn about Madeira’s history and look out over the Atlantic. The fortress and religious buildings thus offer different historical perspectives: the fortress is connected with the island’s history, while Capela and Sé are classified as religious monuments.

Mercado dos Lavradores also combines a strong historical connection with a recurring event. The market opened in 1940 and features architecture typical of the Estado Novo period. Noite do Mercado takes place there every year on 23 December. If this date is important for your travel plans, check the event details before your trip.

Museums and Collections

Museu de Arte Sacra do Funchal is housed in a former bishop’s palace dating from the 16th century. Its eclectic collection includes works from the 15th to the 19th century. The building’s history and the collection therefore span different periods; the building’s former purpose and the works’ time span offer two distinct points of interest for a visit.

Museu de História Natural do Jardim Botânico displays collections of fossils, minerals, insects, and stuffed vertebrates and invertebrates. A single admission ticket gives access to the garden areas, the natural history museum and temporary exhibitions. Check the admission policy before your visit, as it may change. This means the gardens, natural history collections and temporary exhibitions can be considered as different parts of the same visit.

Gardens, Viewpoints and Paths Along the Water

Miradouro do Pico Alto is at an altitude of 1,129 metres. From there, the view stretches across Funchal’s coastline and the Atlantic to the city’s bay. From Parque de Santa Catarina, the panorama extends from Funchal Bay to Ponta do Garajau. The descriptions of the views have different emphases: for Pico Alto, the elevation and several points in view are specified, while the park is notable for the panorama’s broad span.

Parque de Santa Catarina also has a small lagoon with an island created as a resting and nesting place for the birds that live there. Endemic Madeiran species grow alongside a variety of exotic plants along the entire Passeio Marítimo do Funchal.

In the west of the city, Passeio Público Marítimo runs from Rua do Gorgulho (Lido) to Ponta da Cruz. Along the way, it passes Praça da Região Autónoma da Madeira, Clube Naval do Funchal, Estação de Biologia Marítima and Complexo Balnear da Ponta Gorda. These named endpoints and landmarks provide clear orientation for anyone interested in this stretch of the city’s waterfront. Together with the plants along Passeio Marítimo do Funchal, they offer two concrete ways to explore Funchal’s waterfront paths: the route and its named landmarks, and the planting along a promenade.

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For the main travel overview: Madeira.