City · South coast
Funchal
Funchal is the capital and largest city of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. Set on the south coast in a natural amphitheatre between the mountains and the Atlantic, it is the island’s main centre for government, business, transport, culture, education and tourism. Its name comes from the Portuguese word funcho, meaning fennel, which once grew abundantly in the valley.
History and character
Madeira was reached by Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo in 1419. João Gonçalves Zarco settled with his family in the fertile Funchal valley in the early 1420s, where freshwater streams, productive land and a sheltered bay supported a growing settlement. Funchal became a town on 21 August 1452 and received city status from King Manuel I on 21 August 1508. Its harbour made it an important Atlantic stop for ships travelling between Europe, Africa and the Americas. During the 15th and 16th centuries, sugar cane made Funchal wealthy; after sugar faced competition from Brazil, Madeira wine became the key export. British wine merchants later shaped the city’s international commercial character. In the 19th century, Funchal became a winter destination for European visitors, and tourism remains central to its economy today. The latest complete official census, in 2021, recorded 105,782 residents in the municipality of Funchal and 250,744 residents in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Why visit
- Funchal Cathedral (Sé do Funchal), a late-15th-century landmark
- Mercado dos Lavradores for flowers, fruit, fish and regional products
- Zona Velha, the Old Town, with narrow streets, restaurants, galleries and painted doors
- Avenida do Mar, the marina, harbour and cruise-port area
- Monte, with Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the Church of Our Lady of Monte and wicker toboggan rides
- Madeira Botanical Garden, with panoramic city views and plant collections
- CR7 Museum, dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born in Funchal in 1985
Practical tip
Start with Mercado dos Lavradores and Zona Velha in the morning, walk along Avenida do Mar and the harbour, then take the cable car to Monte in the afternoon. Funchal is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for slopes and steps.