Funchal is a Portuguese city on the island of Madeira, capital of the Autonomous Region of Madeira and the most populated outside the Portuguese mainland. The city coincides with its county, and has 76.15 km² of area and subdivided into 10 parishes. The metropolitan area of ​​Funchal, which includes the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz and Machico, has a population of more than 225 thousand inhabitants.

The municipality is limited to the north by the municipality of Santana, to the northeast by Machico, to the east by Santa Cruz and to the west by Câmara de Lobos, being bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the south. João Gonçalves Zarco was the captain of the city in 1424, the year in which the settlement began. The Selvagens Islands, 250 kilometers south of Funchal, belong to this municipality, thus having territorial discontinuity.

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In Funchal we can remember the past times visiting museums and historical areas, visiting farms and gardens, stroll along the "Levadas". The offer is large, varied and for all tastes and ages.

CABLE OF THE MONTE
Operating since 16 November 2000, the Monte Cable Car has 39 cabins with 7 seats each. This cable car connects the Old Town of Funchal to the parish of Monte in about 15 minutes. The route provides spectacular views over the bay of Funchal. The Funchal station is located in Campo Almirante Reis, the Monte do Largo in the Babosas.
BOTANICAL GARDEN CABLE
Jardim Botânico's cable car is located at Quinta do Bom Sucesso - Madeira Island - ten minutes from the center of Funchal. It is a dream trip, enjoying Nature over the Ribeira valley of João Gomes, a place of rare and exotic natural beauty and ending in the Largo dos Babosas - Monte. All of this project obeyed the highest standards of quality and safety, in accordance with European and international standards.
LAVRADORES MARKET
The Farmers' Market, with a project by Edmundo Tavares (1892-1983), was inaugurated on November 24, 1940. A testimony of the architecture of the Estado Novo reflects, for the greatness of its conception, the intention of making it the great pole provider.
The façade, the main door and the fishmongery are adorned, large panels of tiles of Faience Batisttini de Maria de Portugal, dated 1940 and painted with regional themes, by João Rodrigues.
In its space organized in small "Squares", "Largos", "Streets" and "Escadinhas", are sold products of all kinds, mix colors, sounds, smells and diverse people.
PANORAMIC BUS - CITYSIGHTSEEING
Panoramic, open, double-decker bus that runs along the most beautiful and historic points of the City of Funchal.
The course, about 30 minutes away, provides information recorded in Portuguese, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
PANORAMIC BUS - FUNCHALSIGHTSEEING
Panoramic, open, double-decker bus that runs along the most beautiful and historic points of the City of Funchal.
The course, of about an hour, provides information recorded in Portuguese, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
BASKETBALL CAR
It is without a doubt the most typical means of transport in Madeira.
BOAT TOURS
The boat trips offer a beautiful panoramic view of the coast, which highlights, even more, the beauty of this island.
In addition to frequent dolphin watching and occasional whale watching, these walks offer the possibility of swimming in the warm waters of the Atlantic.
In the Marina of Funchal, you can choose the tour that you like, since the offer is very diversified.
GOLF
The island of Madeira offers excellent conditions to practice this modality.
In the municipality of Funchal you can find the Palheiro Ferreiro Golf Course, about 15 minutes from the city center.
About 2/3 of the course is made of pine forest and botanical wood, established over the last 100 years.
Magnificent trees of diverse species, unique vegetation, and a magnificent view over the amphitheater of Funchal, result in one of the most beautiful fields of Europe.
DIVING
The lovers of diving practice find in the waters of this archipelago a true underwater paradise.
There are several diving centers where you can experience this magnificent adventure, namely in the Funchal marina and the Lido Bath Complex.
SPORT FISHING
Madeira is acquiring an international reputation as a first-class destination for deep sea fishing and is the right place to fish blue marlin over 500 kg given the abundance and quality of tuna.
Most of the boats leave the Marina of Funchal, and it is also there that most of the companies that are dedicated to this branch are found.
PARAPENTE
The characteristics of the island make it especially attractive for those who already have practice; there are great places to take off.
It is frequent to see practitioners of this modality to fly over the city of Funchal.
WINDSURF
Madeira offers excellent conditions for practicing this spectacular and radical sport.
The bay of Funchal is a frequent stage of this mode, which attracts more and more fans.

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The "espetada" (beef in laurel stick), accompanied by fried corn and the famous "bolo de do-caco" made with garlic butter, is another dish that you can delight in during your stay in Funchal. But home-made couscous, wheat soup, homemade bread crumbled with sweet potatoes, and "garlic vine" meat, a typical Christmas specialty made with fried pork, are also very popular.

In candy, the highlight goes to honey cake, one of the most popular sweets of the holiday season, made with nuts, sugar cane honey and spices. Madeiran cheese, made with curd cheese, anthill cake and orange, apple, chocolate and wafer cakes are also very popular. The same happens with puddings, soufflés, mousses and ice-creams based on exotic fruits, such as papaya, mango, avocado, anona or passion fruit, typical of the region.

Traditional Madeira drinks are also appreciated, with Madeira Wine being the most important, due to its international popularity. In total, there are more than 30 varieties of this nectar of the gods, the most prestigious being Sercial, Boal, Verdelho and Malvasia. Other drinks you can try in Funchal are poncha, nikita, homemade liqueurs, coral beer and passion fruit breeze.

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Funchal has a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures throughout the year, with an annual average of 19.6ºC. Unlike other locations on the south coast of Madeira, such as Ponta do Sol, Paul do Mar or Jardim do Mar, average temperatures in the coldest months are around 1ºC below a tropical climate classification with a dry season. Two distinct seasons can be differentiated, although without great thermal variations between both: the first of October to March with regular precipitation and maximum average temperatures that oscillate between the 25ºC in October and the 20ºC in January and February; the second from April to September, with low levels of precipitation and average maximum temperatures ranging from 21ºC in April to 26ºC in August and September.

The humidity level remains constant around 70%, which translates into a perception of heat more pronounced relative to the effective temperatures. The total precipitation during the rainy season varies greatly from year to year. The temperature of the sea water oscillates between 18 ºC and 19 ºC in February and between 24ºC and 26ºC in August and September.

Since the city is in a kind of amphitheater with the sea on one side and mountains on the other (ascending to 1800 meters of altitude) it is quite common to register cloudiness, rain and wind in the highest levels and at the same time clearer skies in the areas near the coast.

In early summer, especially in June, it is common to see a phenomenon called "Funchal's helmet" in which the whole bay of the city is persistently covered with clouds for days on end.

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