Sightseeing in Funchal - what to see. Complete travel guide

This city is located on the south coast of Madeira. This is a major trading port and a famous beach resort that is popular among tourists from different countries of the world. Funchal is located in a picturesque land among beautiful hills and spacious meadows, which are very close to the coastal zone. In addition to beautiful beaches and largest choice of entertainments there are really many historical monuments here.

The central square of the city is the location of the cathedral built in the beginning of the 15th century. The decoration of the cathedral’s halls is no less impressive comparing to its magnificent and rigorous look. You will not find any excessive details here, but every piece of furniture is picked up strictly. Mercado dos Lavraderos market is, without a doubt, the liveliest place in this city. The selection of exotic fruits, vegetables and seafood here is really huge. In addition to shopping malls the market features a large selection of souvenirs and handicrafts.

Avenida Do Mar Street, which stretches along the coast, is the best place for walking. Here you will find best cafes and restaurants, and will be offered to try the traditional coffee of this place named "chineza" and excellent sweets. The street will take you to a huge breakwater, which goes far into the bay. This breakwater features beautiful views of Funchal. If you want to enjoy the panorama of the city from a bird's eye view, you are welcome to rent a helicopter. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

We should be more detailed about the beaches of the resort. The most visited one is Praia Formosa. The sea here is clear and calm, so this beach is perfect for tourists with children. Diving enthusiasts will also find much fun there. There are also several playgrounds, cafes and bars on this beach. Doca do Cavacas is more than just a beach. This is a complex of several natural swimming pools; a special tunnel will lead you to one of the city's beaches. Praia do Gorgulho is the most secluded and quiet beach of this place. It is located in a remote part of the city and is not equipped as good as the abovementioned beaches.

Nowadays, the Wine Museum is located in one of the centuries-old wineries. Its exposition is really varied. You can see the old equipment that was used to make wine in the 17th century, documents, and plenty of old stuff, more or less connected with the history of winemaking. There is the opportunity for museum visitors to visit the tasting room, and try the most popular wines from local factories.

Madeira’s Botanical Garden is located a short distance from the city center. Currently, it covers an area of about 8 hectares. In total, about 3000 species of plants brought from various countries of the world are represented in the garden. Here, you'll see rare species of azaleas and magnolias, admire slender palm trees and rare species of orchids. The opening of the botanical garden took place in 1960. An interesting Natural Science Museum is operating on its territory recently. There is also a special pavilion with parrots there.

The Quinta do Paleira garden is considered the most beautiful on the island. It will amaze with a variety of incredible exotic plants, flowers, and landscape decorations. The garden is historic. It was structured around the old manor in the 19th century. The manor was kept till our time, however, tourists are only allowed to marvel at the appearance of the estate. There're no guided tours. The garden, on the contrary, is entirely at the disposal of the public. A walk through the garden will turn into a fascinating excursion.

Guests of Funchal can also visit San Tiago fortress. It was built to protect the port area in 1614. Today, the fort is located on the territory of a picturesque historic district, whose entire territory is available for guided tours. A part of the historical building is occupied by the exposition of the Museum of Modern Art. A famous restaurant is found on the territory of the fort. It is considered one of the most romantic in the city due to a panoramic view of the coast from the open terrace.

The monastery of St. Clara, founded in 1496, is one of the oldest buildings on the island. The monastery is a real treasure trove of artistic and religious values. It contains a wonderful collection of paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries. The complex of buildings of the monastery alone is of great architectural value.