Route: Funchal
Area: Madeira
Date of walk: 26th January 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.6 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Sunny and warm
It’s been almost three years since our last visit to Madeira, click here for my previous walks on the island. We arrived in Madeira at around midday and, having picked up our hire car and checked into our hotel (the excellent Castanheiro Boutique Hotel which I can highly recommend), there remained time for a short exploratory stroll around Funchal, our base for the week
Funchal is the capital and largest city of Madeira, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of over 100,000, making it the sixth largest city in Portugal. Because of its high cultural and historical value, Funchal is one of Portugal’s main tourist attractions
The route which we followed could be started from anywhere in the old quarter of the city. We set off from Praça do Município, or Town Hall Square, home to Funchal City Hall, an historic palace dating back to 1758. After passing by the Fish Market (which was closed as today was a Sunday), we headed for the Fortress of São Tiago, a striking yellow painted fort built in the 17th century, erected to defend the city of Funchal from corsair attacks
From there we walked west along the seafront, taking a short detour to see the green and white lighthouse at Spur Pier Head. We continued around Funchal Bay as far as Santa Catarina Park, a lovely green space planted with species of trees, shrubs and herbs from all over the world. Having just arrived here from the bitterly cold UK, it was a strange contrast to see tender plants such as impatiens (Busy Lizzie) in full flower in January
This was the furthest point of our walk and, after passing out of the park, we made our way back to the start of a very enjoyable urban stroll
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Having arrived in Funchal, we check into our hotel and look out across the city before setting off on a short exploratory stroll
We pass by Funchal City Hall, a palace built in 1758. On the left is Jesuits' College Church
Narrow streets of Funchal
We pass by Funchal Cathedral
We arrive at the seafront and turn left
The Green and White Lighthouse
We pass by the Jardim do Campo Almirante Reis
The Fortress of São Tiago, a striking yellow painted fort built in the 17th century, erected to defend the city of Funchal from corsair attacks
Good timing, as a pirate ship sails by (an exact replica of the Christopher Columbus flagship available for boat trips)
Having reached the fortress, we retrace our steps along the waterfront
We pass by the Green and White Lighthouse again, a popular spot for selfie seekers
Looking back along Funchal Bay
We walk through a small park, Praça do Povo
A monarch butterfly, one of several in the park
The Nelson Mandela Memorial
'Madeira'
Funchal Marina...
We pass by the statue of João Gonçalves Zarco, one of the discoverers of Madeira and first Captain of Funchal
Views back along Funchal seafront...
We walk through Santa Catarina Park, a green space created in 1966...
Views from the park...
This is the far point of our walk and from here we head back into town...
We arrive back at the City Hall and the end of an enjoyable stroll
