Funchal
Funchal, officially City of Funchal, is the capital, largest city and a municipality in Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of 105,795, 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; it is also popular as a destination for New Year's Eve, and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings.
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
2winter
warm temperate, wetter; mean 16.2-19.3 °C across the range; daily highs 16-22 °C, sea ~18-19 °C; Atlantic depressions can bring heavy rain; the Laurisilva forest intercepts cloud
- Funchal's role as a winter-sun destination activates; cruise ships at peak (the leading Portuguese cruise-liner port)
- the Madeira wine cellars (Henriques & Henriques, Blandy's) carry the visitor economy year-round
- the levada walks (irrigation-channel hiking) are most pleasant in winter — green and cool up in the mountains
- New Year's Eve fireworks — the world's largest fireworks display per Guinness (2006-07); the city's defining civic ritual
summer
warm, dry, almost rainless; mean 17.0-22.6 °C; daily highs 22-27 °C, sea reaches 24 °C; trade winds keep the heat moderate; the city stays pleasant while mainland Portugal bakes
- the Funchal Cable Car to Monte activates; the Monte toboggan ride (carro de cesto) descends — a 19th-century civic affordance
- Atlantic cruise traffic continues; the Lido complex and the Ponta Gorda pools fill
- the Festa dos Tabuleiros (Funchal Flower Festival, spring or autumn after Easter) brings flower-float parades
- the wine-harvest festival (Festa da Vindima, late August-September) marks the Madeira-wine vintage
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
New Year Fireworks
- one of the world's largest fireworks displays
- cruise-liner crowds in the harbour
Funchal Flower Festival
- flower-float parade
- floral Wall of Hope ceremony
Festa da Vindima
- Madeira-wine harvest festival
- treading-the-grapes ritual
Carnaval
- two Funchal Carnival parades (allegorico + trapalhão)
Atlantic Rowing Race
- Atlantic-rowing race finishes in Funchal from the Canary Islands / San Sebastián
On the record
source-trackedFunchal is the capital, largest city and a municipality in Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
Funchal is one of Portugal's main tourist attractions; it is also popular as a destination for New Year's Eve, and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings.
It is the warmest city in Portugal, with an annual average temperature of 20.0 °C (68.0 °F).
The climate can be divided into two main seasons: a warm dry summer season spanning from May to September with average daily high temperatures ranging from 22 to 27 °C, and a cooler wet winter season from October to April.
The name Funchal comes from the abundance of fennel (funcho) found on the island.
It [Funchal] was an important shipping centre during the 15th–17th centuries.
Tourist destinations include: Ribeira Brava, Curral das Freiras, Porto Moniz, Santana, the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO Natural Site, in the centre of Madeira Island and the beaches in Porto Santo island.
There is also a passenger gondola lift (Funchal Cable Car).
One of the most typical dishes and served almost everywhere [in Funchal], is espada com banana (scabbard fish with banana).
The city centre is small enough to explore on foot.
Not the party capital of the world: most bars are very quiet, except during a football match.
It is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal.
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.