- During the second half of the XV century, the sugar industry expanded significantly along the southern coast, making Funchal its most important centre.
- It’s also the busiest part of the island with yellow buses, street cafes and shoppers from outside Funchal packing the streets from morning until sundown.
- Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, was declared a city in the 1500s and became an important point between the old and new worlds.
- Built in the beginning of the 16th century, at the peak of the Portuguese explorers’ era, Funchal Cathedral is a symbol of power and prosperity.
- Funchal is served by highway ER101 which runs along the coast. An easy way to get to the city centre by car is to take exit 11 and head downhill towards Funchal.
- Planning to visit Funchal? Discover how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more, in the best guide to Funchal, from KAYAK.
- Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, was declared a city in the 1500s and became an important point between the old and new worlds.
- Funchal is the capital of the Autonomous region of Madeira, located on the southern coast between the cities of Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos.
- You're Going to Love Funchal. With a population of 100,847, Funchal is the largest city in Madeira, Portugal by the number of inhabitants.
- Venture farther out to sea on a dolphin- and whale-watching trip or take a boat cruise along the coast. As Madeira’s capital city, Funchal has good transportation links.