Experience Funchal: Gardens, History and Atlantic Views

Funchal combines historic buildings, gardens, museums and views of the Atlantic to create a varied city break on Madeira. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Funchal, you can base your accommodation choice on the experiences that are particularly important to you and your travel group: culture and the island’s history, nature in landscaped gardens or a stay with walks along the waterfront.

Gardens, Collections and Viewpoints

A special starting point for an interest in nature and knowledge is the Jardim Botânico da Madeira. With a single admission ticket, you can visit the garden areas, the Museu de História Natural and the temporary exhibitions there. The natural history museum displays collections of fossils, minerals, insects, as well as mounted vertebrates and invertebrates. This allows you to add a museum visit to a garden outing without leaving the theme of nature.

The Parque de Santa Catarina also combines landscape and urban orientation. From there, the panoramic view extends across Funchal Bay to Ponta do Garajau. A small lagoon with an island was created for the birds living there to rest and nest. If you would like to include a viewpoint at a higher altitude, the Miradouro do Pico Alto offers a location at 1,129 metres above sea level. From there, you can see Funchal’s coastline, the Atlantic Ocean and the city’s bay.

Along the Passeio Marítimo do Funchal, you will also find a diverse array of plants, including endemic species from Madeira and various exotic plants. For a walk in the west of the city, the Passeio Público Marítimo is a good option. It runs from Rua do Gorgulho in the Lido area to Ponta da Cruz and passes Praça da Região Autónoma da Madeira, Clube Naval do Funchal, Estação de Biologia Marítima and Complexo Balnear da Ponta Gorda.

Discover Historic Funchal

Zona Velha covers the area where Funchal’s first settlement is believed to have emerged. Above the waterfront of this historic district lies Fortaleza de São Tiago. The fortress dates from the early 17th century and offers you the opportunity to learn about the history of Madeira while enjoying a privileged view of the Atlantic.

The Sé do Funchal and Capela de Santa Catarina offer further insights into the city’s history. The Sé has been classified as a national monument since 1910. Capela de Santa Catarina is considered the oldest religious monument in the capital, Funchal. At Convento de Santa Clara, you can visit the Gothic cloister. The Museu de Arte Sacra do Funchal is located in a former 16th-century bishop’s palace and houses an eclectic collection featuring works from the 15th to the 19th century.

Mercado dos Lavradores opened in 1940 and features architecture typical of the Estado Novo period. An annual event is Noite do Mercado, held at Mercado dos Lavradores on 23 December. If you plan your stay around this occasion, the specific date is one of the important points in planning your trip.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans

When looking for accommodation in Funchal, it helps to first decide on your preferred focus. Those interested in culture can fill their days with churches, the fortress, monastery, market and museum. Anyone who prefers nature and views can combine the Jardim Botânico da Madeira, Parque de Santa Catarina, Passeio Marítimo and Miradouro do Pico Alto. For a travel group with different interests, Funchal offers the opportunity to include these themes side by side in the itinerary without committing to just one type of experience.

You can also visit the location pages São Martinho and Monte for further orientation. You can find additional location pages under Estreito Da Calheta, Porto Da Cruz, Paul Do Mar, São Vicente and Lombada Velha.

For the main travel overview: Madeira.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Madeira holiday: plan Funchal, levadas, the coast and accommodation.