Holiday in Funchal

About Funchal

Funchal, the capital of Madeira, nestles like an amphitheater on the steep slopes above the Atlantic, combining subtropical lushness with cosmopolitan flair. The city, with its 110,000 inhabitants, was founded in 1421 and owes its name to the wild fennel (funcho) that the first settlers found here. The harbor regularly welcomes cruise ships, and the promenade offers a spectacular view of the deep blue sea. The Mercado dos Lavradores is a feast for the senses: Under Art Deco architecture, exotic fruits like passion fruit, cherimoya, and Monstera Deliciosa are piled next to tuna, black scabbardfish (Espada), and bouquets of Strelitzia and Protea. The legendary toboggan rides from Monte start at the pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora do Monte: Two Carreiros dressed in white steer the toboggan down two kilometers through the streets — an experience unique to Funchal. The Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) brings together over 2,000 plant species from around the world on terraces with panoramic views. In December, Funchal transforms into a sea of lights: The Christmas decorations and the New Year's Eve fireworks — considered one of the largest in the world according to the Guinness Book — attract thousands of visitors. Madeira's famous Poncha, a drink made from sugar cane liquor, honey, and citrus fruits, is best served in the old town bars. The old town Zona Velha also impresses with artistically painted doors.