Description

Funchal is the capital of Madeira Island and with a population of approximately 125,000 is a rather populous city accounting for almost half of the islands population. Funchal is a nature lover’s delight with scores of gardens creating a naturally beautiful place. The city can be divided into 3 main sections - the hectic downtown area, the flatter tourist zone, which is also called the Lido and the residential areas around the surrounding hillsides. The tourist zone is packed with many hotels, shops, restaurants and cafes. Funchal also houses a pleasant promenade which accommodates tourist shops and restaurants passing across the beach front, where tourists can sit and have a view of many cruise ships docking.

Shopping

Funchal’s town center provides a colorful indoor market, business center and many shopping streets. The city also houses many small supermarkets and souvenir shops in the hotel area. Some of the best buys here include wickerwork, tapestries, embroideries, traditional painted tiles (azulejos), flowers (orchids, bird of paradise and anthurium are the most popular). Funchal is also popular for Madeira wine and cake. Mercado dos Lavradores is famous for different varieties of wines, eatables and beautiful flowers. Bazar do Povo, which is the oldest shop at Funchal is a great place to visit and shop for different things.

Restaurants

Funchal has a number of restaurants which serves cuisines ranging from local, Italian, Indian and other international exotic ones. Funchal also houses a yacht which was once owned by the Beatles, but which is now converted into a restaurant. Funchal’s local specialties are espada (scabbard fish), espetadas (meat on a skewer) and Madeira cake which is popularly known as bolo de Mel (rich honey cake). Funchal’s restaurants not only serve you food but also feature other entertainments like music and dance. Fabulous seafood and delicious cakes are served in every eatery throughout the resort.

Night Life

Nightlife in Funchal gets rocking with displays of folk dances in many hotels across the resort. Larger hotels feature nightclubs and is visited by the more serious party animals. There are few local-style discos, a casino with regular floor shows and cabarets and many bars playing live music around the town. The Marina looks gorgeous at night and is a great place for a walk in the evenings.

Activities

A tour around the Old Town is a great activity and can be done either by walk or by open-topped double-decker buses. A cable car visit to the Monte gardens also is great activity. A walk along the ancient levadas (irrigation channels) or a round of golf can be opted by those wanting to enjoy a relaxing activity. Those seeking a more adventurous one can either try mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing, hang gliding, paragliding or horse riding, all of which are available at the resort and are organized by local operators. There is an abundance of water sports too with diving, surfing, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing to choose from.

Communications

The international access code for Portugal is +351. There are no area or city codes required. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. There are three GSM mobile phone networks in Portugal along with plenty of Internet cafes.

Contacts

Institute of Portugal Tourism, Lisbon: +351 211 205 050 or www.visitportugal.com
Portuguese Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 328 8610
Portuguese Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 5331
Portuguese Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 729 0883
Portuguese Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6290 1733
Portuguese Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2340/1/2
Portuguese Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 289 4416
Portuguese Consulate, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 382 7655
United States Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 727 3300
British Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 392 4000
Canadian Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 316 4600
Australian Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 310 1500
South African Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 319 2200
Irish Embassy, Lisbon: +351 21 392 9440
New Zealand Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Portugal): +39 06 441 7171
Emergencies: 112

Currency

EUR

Attractions

There is an abundance of tourist attraction in the town of Funchal and a tour of the town is a must. The tour could provide visitors a view of the marina, museums, gardens, Gothic cathedral, various churches, an 18th-century British church and cemetery, 17th-century Fort of Sao Tiago, botanical gardens, orchid houses and wine lodges.

Gardens are also very important attractions in Funchal and tourists can stroll around these gardens and enjoy the pleasant environment. The Japanese garden and the Monte garden are must-vistis. Our Lady Monte’s church near the Monte garden which is famous for its beautiful stairs and the Medeira Wine Museum are great spots for a visit.

A visit to the IBTAM museum is also a must, where one can admire the huge exhibit of handicrafts. Another beautiful place to visit in Funchal is the Sisi Statue and the Colombo Statue, which reveals the past stories of the Island

Language

Portuguese

Language Description

Official language of Portugal is Portuguese. However almost everyone understands English. English is also quite well spoken in the urban centers, in hotels and restaurants and also by most shopkeepers.

Tipping

Hotels add 17.5% of service charge or tax in the bill, which is divided equally among the staff, but individual tipping is also a rule. For all the things in which you get services you need to pay individual tipping, it is 5% of your total bill. However this does not apply to bar staff and taxi drivers as their tips are generally rounded off to the nearest Euro.