Things to see and do Funchal

The Madeira Botanical Garden is a wonderful opportunity to discover the exceptional flora of Madeira and beyond. Species from all over the world have been introduced in this lush garden. Its colorful expanses dominate the city, at an altitude of 200 to 350 m. An exceptional and immense site that covers an area of 8 ha, including 3.5 ha just for the garden. More than 2,000 exotic plants are cultivated on 35,000 m², from orchids to "birds of paradise" (strelitzia), including splendid magnolias, azaleas and cacti. In addition to the section reserved for endemic plants (observe them well to find them during your hikes!), appreciate the beautiful collection of cacti and succulents, the superb geographical beds or "choreographic gardens", translating the meticulous and creative work of the landscape designers, the fruit trees (papaya, guava, Mexican sapodilla...), the aromatic and medicinal plant garden or the numerous species of palm trees presented at the end of the tour.

The Reid family lived in the quinta do Bom Sucesso from the middle of the 19th century, and the botanical garden was installed there in 1963. It is also a place of study for scientists, with a small natural history museum (not so young!), with various stuffed birds and marine species in jars, and even a herbarium (24,000 plant samples). The view is breathtaking over the whole bay of Funchal.

Inaugurated in 1497, the convent was founded at the instigation of João Gonçalves da Câmara, one of Zarco's sons. Today it is the home of a small community of Franciscan sisters composed of about twenty nuns. There you will learn that each sister had her own chapel for recollection. The most splendid of them, on the first floor, is adorned with magnificent azulejos with camellia motifs. Part of the convent has now been transformed into a school. Its church, covered with polychrome azulejos, is well worth a visit.

In 1569 King Sebastian I had the Jesuit College built, the seat of the administration of the University of Madeira (the students organise the guided tours). It must be said that the Colegio is a high point in the history of the city. From its creation, it had a pedagogical vocation and was later occupied by English assailants before being mobilized by the Portuguese army. In today's reception hall, the piano of Charles I, the last Austrian Emperor exiled to Funchal in 1921, is enthroned. The church surprises by its sumptuous decoration.

It was the first church of importance built overseas by the Portuguese. Ordered by King Manuel I in 1514 and built by the master Pêro Annes, it has a sober whitewashed façade surrounded by black basalt and red tufa. The architectural beauty of the building is associated with its Hispano-Arabic and Romano-Gothic lines. Inside, the ceiling has a Manueline inlay of wood and ivory, and a representation of the world and scenes depicting the great discoveries. The gilded Flemish style choir is flamboyant.

In the city centre, on a surface area of 8,300 m², it offers an astonishing density of species. For the record, this garden, established in the 1880s, also took the name Jardin Dona Amélia between 1897 and 1910. The convent of São Francisco once stood there, as some ruins show. At the entrance to the garden, observe the bust of Simón Bolívar (nicknamed el Libertador), the dragon trees or the Canary palm trees. A kiosk with a terrace installed under the trees invites you to make a restorative stop.

It starts at the end of the harbour and climbs gently up to Quinta Vigia, the working residence of the Governor of Madeira. In an area of 36,000 m², you can admire numerous plants such as poinsettias(euphorbia pulcherima or"Christmas stars", native to Mexico), palms from the Canary Islands or summer lilacs (lagerstroemia indica) from China. Beautiful walks in perspective in the alleys, in the middle of a small lagoon, laughter of children and whispers of lovers. The small chapel was commissioned by Dona Constança de Almeida (Zarco's companion).

The "ploughmen's market" is located in the square of the same name at the entrance to the old town. It is the largest market on the island... and also the most touristic! It is impossible to miss this building, inaugurated in 1940 and representative of the new state (Portuguese Salazarist fascist period). To be visited, at least for the pleasure of the eyes and to take some nice pictures! Particularly animated in the morning and on Fridays, the market charms by its festival of colors and smells which attracts many tourists around 10:30 am: come earlier if you don't like the crowd (let's repeat it, then it's very touristy!).

Flowers. Take a stroll through the flower market in the central patio, for example, with its vendors in traditional costumes. They can pack the pretty flowers (birds of paradise/estrelícias, fire tongues/antúrios, orchids/orquídeas, próteas...) for your return trip (if, of course, this is allowed by your airline).

Praça de peixe. At the bottom, in the morning, the fish market is also worth a look. A fishmonger's tunny, a 30 kg tuna in one hand and a machete in the other, is haranguing the barge, while next to it, a stiff dead "espada" is being weighed, with its tail wrapped in its beak. This is the time to watch this fish cooked in all kinds of sauces!

Tropical fruits. Upstairs, multicoloured and fragrant exotic fruits in profusion (with the little known: English tomatoes, banana-pineapple, banana-apple, anone-apple, cayenne cherries...) and tropical vegetables (chayote, manioc...) or a small herbal shop; downstairs, a few other first fruits and a few shops selling alcohol, liquor, sweets, postcards and souvenirs. Don't miss this market on the traditional Christmas Friday, for the market feast, a major event of the end of year festivities in Funchal, captivating the crowds until the end of the night with carols, entertainment and kiosks overflowing in the heart of the city.

Too touristy? But beware, even if some of them make you taste their products sympathetically, compare prices and quality before you decide and avoid stands without a price sign, which often work at the customer's head. Many visitors shout scam after being forced to buy a maracujá at the full price! Beware or take a look around for the pleasure of the eyes... Fruit is usually much cheaper on the small stalls that are set up in the street (much less choice though!).

The São Lourenço Fortress now serves as the residence of the Military Governor and the Minister of the Republic (the representative of the Lisbon Government). Most of the building is closed to the public, but the gardens and some of the halls and lounges can be visited on certain days, and a mini military museum briefly telling the story of the fortress built in the 15th century can be visited. It was attacked by the French in 1566.

This elegant Church of the Socorro, with a black lava portal emphasizing white plaster and wooden doors, opens onto an interior with four allegorical paintings with gilded frames, trompe l'oeil painted ceiling and traditional azulejos. Every May ^1st it is the starting point for a procession in honour of Santiago Menor, patron saint of Funchal, fulfilling a vow made in 1538 to stop the plague epidemic that ravaged Funchal.

Vicente Gomes da Silva was the pioneer of photography in Portugal: he established his first workshop here in the centre of Funchal in 1848. Amateurs will discover objects dedicated to this art, as well as beautiful photos of the age, sometimes over years old.

Many walks organized (among others), due to a different one every day. The guides speak French.

It's the other tourist bus in Funchal. Hop on board this big red double-decker bus, stop wherever you like and get on whenever you like (21 stops in total). The buses leave from Avenida do Mar, in the city centre of the capital. Among the main stops are do Povo Square, da Autonomia Square, the cable car, picos dos Barcelos, the Lido hotel area and the city of Cámara de Lobos. An option to consider for those in a hurry. Audioguides in English. Departure every 30 minutes approximately.