Funchal Photos Guide

Arriving In Madeira At Funchal Airport

Our Funchal photos guide starts the same as you would start your holiday to Madeira - at the airport. Arrive in Madeira by plane and the chances are you will land at Funchal Airport also known as Santa Catarina Airport.

Usually, depending on weather conditions, the plane flies westward over the sea and beyond the Airport. It then does an 180 degree about turn and approaches the runway from the west, still travelling over the sea. If you have a window seat on the left, you will enjoy a lovely view of Santa Cruz. You will also see that you are still quite high in altitude, then, suddenly touching down. This is because much of the runway is built on concrete stilts (photo above). An exhilarating start to any holiday!

I've flown into Santa Catarina Airport in Madeira 7 times. It is the perfect holiday destination airport. It is not overly busy, even on change-over days. Also, I've never had to wait long for my luggage nor had any problems going through customs. An Areobus stops outside the Arrivals Hall main exit and travel time to Funchal city centre is only about 30 minutes. There are also large car parks to the front and, if you have booked a transfer to your hotel, this is where you will be likely directed towards. When your holiday is over, I've found departing from the Airport is just as smooth.

The Hotel District

Most people who holiday in Madeira end up in a hotel situated in the tourist suburb of Funchal. These photos give you a taste of the area. The views can be spectacular and a park and Lido (photo below) are near the front. There are also many restaurants and cafes in the area for you to choose from. The city center is a 50 minute walk away, or take a bus or taxi and you'll be there in about 10 minutes.

The world famous Reid's Palace Hotel (see photo) is situated nearer to the city center than many other hotels. It was one of the first tourist hotels in Madeira and over the years many rich and famous people have stayed here. Winston Churchill, who favoured Madeira as a holiday destination, has graced the guest list. Pictures of Winston Churchill painting in Câmara de Lobos whilst on holiday typify his love for Madeira. Also, Margaret Thatcher spent her honeymoon in this famous hotel. Click on this link Reid's Palace Hotel to see video footage of this prestigious hotel, it appears about 6 minutes 30 seconds into the video. If you want a holiday full of tradition and luxury, then this is the hotel for you!

The Municipal Square

One area that is a must for our Funchal photos guide is the Praça do Municipo or the City Municipal Square. This plaza is the heart of the historical district of the city and is a must for any holiday itinerary. The buildings here reflect the history and development of Madeira's Capital City.

At one end of the Municipal Square, Praça do Municipo, stands the Sé Cathedral (see photo). Inside, there is a striking ceiling of juniper wood with ivory inlay. Many of Madeira's most poignant ceremonies take place inside the Cathedral which is one of the oldest buildings on the island and well worth a holiday visit.

Also in the Municipal Square, Praça do Municipo, is the City Town Hall, Cámara Municipal. This 18th century mansion was built for the Count of Carvalhal and is indeed impressive. It features a delightful courtyard with palms. The College Church, Igreja di Colégio, also stands alongside the City Municipal Square. As the photo shows, this is an important venue for Christmas festivities.

The Harbour & Marina

Our Funchal photos guide now takes you on a brief tour around the harbour and marina. Today, this area is used almost exclusively for tourist and leisure pursuits. If you do not arrive in Madeira by plane, then the harbour will be the first place you set foot on as you disembark from your luxury cruise liner. For many, this is where the first holiday pictures are taken.

The harbour used to be a working port dealing with all cargo. Today, it only handles pleasure cruise ships and, in the marina, smaller pleasure boats. Commercial cargo is transported through Madeira's new port further down the coast to the east. On 12th December 2006, the QE2 cruise liner docked in Funchal harbour. As you can appreciate from the photo above, it dwarfed all the boats in the marina.

The Seafront Promenade

Perhaps one of the most popular walks in Madeira's Capital is along the seafront. As our Funchal photos guide shows, it's popularity is not without reason. The pictures below certainly capture the essence of the Promenade. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to offer refreshments. What better way to spend a hot holiday afternoon than to sit sipping your favourite refreshing drink whilst looking out on the clear blue waters of the South Atlantic?

Funchal promenade seafront walk starts in the west of the city, alongside the Harbour and the Rotunda Sá Cameiro. Walk eastward and you pass the marina and the many sea food restaurants that are situated here, just below the walk. These, unsurprisingly, specialise in seafood and grilled fish. In the evening particularly, the cooking aroma lingers here to tempt you in. Continue on and you will pass the Palaçio de São Lourenço on your left, just set back from the sea front. This building has been adapted over the centuries to serve both as a fort and also as a residence for the regional Governor.

Continue walking and you will pass a number of floating restaurants including the Vagrant restaurant. This restaurant is famous for the fact that it is situated on a boat formerly owned by the Beatles. It you take a meal here you cannot fail to miss the many Beatles' photos and pictures. Also, expect little else other than Beatles' songs for the background music. Further on you may notice the flat platform of the, now departed, Madeira Balloon. In 2004, the Madeira Balloon ride opened alongside the promenade. This attraction gave tourists the perfect opportunity for stunning holiday photos and pictures. Unfortunately, despite that fantastic views that it offered of the city from over 100 metres in height, it was not popular enough to justify staying open and it is no longer operating.

As you walk further along, you will pass the Praça da Autonomia, which celebrates Madeira's autonomy. It is rather an uninspiring plaza, but at this point, there are a few benches that look out to sea. It is a nice spot to sit and let the day drift by. A number of town buses start their journey from this area. Further still is the Teleféricos da Madeiras cable car terminal. See cable car pictures in our Funchal tourist photos guide. Finally, at the end of the promenade, and well into the Old Town, is the Fortaleza de São Tiago, which houses perhaps one of the best restaurants in the capital. All in all, the walk will take you perhaps a leisurely 40 minutes.

In and Around Funchal

The historical district of Madeira's Capital has plenty to offer apart from the usual tourist attractions and so is another holiday itinerary must. Take the time to look around and soak in the Madeiran way of life and style. So, as our Funchal photos guide comes to a close, we give you just a glimpse of what else is waiting to be discovered. Each photo tells its own story.

Whilst you are on holiday here, take the time just to wander around and absorb the Madeiran atmosphere. Avenida Arriaga lies to the east of the town centre and here the buildings are less crowded and the pace less frenetic. If you continue eastward and walk along the Avenida do Infante you can see some of the older, traditional, large Madeiran houses. Also on this road is the Reid's Palace Hotel (see our photo above) one of the oldest and best known hotels in Madeira.

At the intersection of Avenida Arriaga and Avenida Zarco is a statue of João Gonçalves Zarco (see photo). In 1920, a fleet of ships, headed by João Gonçalves Zarco landed on Madeira and claimed the archipelago for Portugal. The woods were cleared by setting them alight and Funchal was founded in 1921. Also, at this junction, is the impressive Banco de Portugal building designed by the architect Edmundo Tavares and officially opened in 1940.

Avenida Arriaga lead into the main town square, Praça do Município. This is a good meeting place and is within easy reach of most the local tourist attractions. Occasionally music concerts and other events will be held here in the evening. And, during the Festival, Festa da Flor, the children's wall of hope is built here with flowers. The following day, the festival's main parade culminates in this square as well. If you enjoy parades and street displays, try and plan your holiday to coincide with this festival. But, don't forget your camera, there will be plenty of opportunities for pictures.

And, if your holiday all gets too much for you? Copy the local inhabitants and take a nap in the afternoon heat. The photo says it all!