Just as was done with the Santa Catarina Park which is no longer open 24 hours a day and is now closed at night admits that a similar measure could be implemented in other parks/gardens in the city given the history of vandalism that has been occurring there “Santa Catarina Park was a forbidden place 20 years ago There were all kinds of initiatives that I wouldn’t even recommend entering This isn’t the case with other spaces we have but some should start thinking about [fencing them] also because of the vandalism that has been taking place” on the sidelines of the ceremony for the 20th anniversary of the Santa Catarina Park Playroom The mayor points to the example of Funchal’s Municipal Garden “in front of the [Baltazar Dias] Municipal Theatre” given the number of incidents recorded there against the botanical heritage She acknowledges that “it is not easy” to fence off a public space and limit its access to the population but the proof that this measure may be the most appropriate is the current reality of the attractive Santa Catarina Park She therefore maintains that “we cannot stop considering the pros and cons” in the certainty that it will not be during this term of office that the perimeter of the Municipal Garden will be fenced off I would recommend patrols of the area via an automated camera surveillance system and response dispatched in the form of a security officer Fencing off the park will be detrimental to its appeal during the day Why do you link the increase in tourism with the increase in crime people like me who have been visiting as tourists for 25 years will stop coming Well Eleuterio Pestana complete right with the new utomated camera surveillance add to Funchal they also should add them there also And more anyone caught vandalizing the garden and other structures if caught oblige them doing commity service there Catarina é um local aprazível deve-se em parte ao ter sido vedado durante a noite Concordo que a CMF use igual procedimento com o Jardim Municipal Os madeirenses e aqueles que nos visitam ficamos todos a ganhar This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email Funchal, Madeira Unsplash Emma Donaldson 5 May 2025 9:00Portugal has once again proven itself a leading destination for those seeking a healthier According to the latest European Cities Air Quality Visualiser Faro and Funchal have been ranked 3rd and 8th respectively out of 375 European cities for their exceptionally clean air Published by the European Environment Agency the European Cities Air Quality Visualiser offers a detailed ranking of urban air quality across Europe using data from over 500 monitoring stations Cities are assessed based on levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) Only 13 cities in the entire survey recorded PM2.5 levels below the World Health Organisation’s health-based reference level of 5 micrograms per cubic metre — a benchmark both Faro and Funchal have impressively met This achievement is particularly significant given that Portugal stands out as the only southern European country with cities featured in the top 20 for cleanest air The next southern European city on the list highlighting Portugal’s unique environmental advantage in the region For those prioritising well being, clean air is a critical factor. The high rankings of Faro, located in the Algarve, and Funchal on the island of Madeira, not only underline Portugal’s commitment to environmental quality but also enhance its appeal as a destination for healthy living, travel, and investment. The best hikes in Portugal: trails you can’t miss Portugal may be famous for its golden beaches and historic cities but it’s also a dream destination for hikers From rugged coastal paths to mountain adventures Portugal offers trails for every level of experience here’s your guide to the best hikes in Portugal Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience We're always trying to bring you more amazing hotels But not every hotel can immediately connect their reservation system with ours we provide real-time rates and availability via a partnership with Booking.com You'll still enjoy the full fabulous MICHELIN Guide experience when you book including our legendary service and delightful style This hotel offers rates & availability on request only Submit a request below and a travel specialist will assist We’re not currently taking reservations for this hotel Please explore other hotels in our selection Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels Sky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky Princess12 Nights 12 Nights  MediterraneanCanary IslandsLeaving from: Southampton →+7 ports Portugal & France PassageLeaving from: Southampton →+5 ports 2025Princess CruisesCruise Critic FavoriteEmerald PrincessEmerald PrincessEmerald PrincessEmerald PrincessEmerald Princess29 Nights 29 Nights  Europe - AllNorthern Lights Grand AdventureLeaving from: Southampton →+11 ports 2025Princess CruisesSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky Princess15 Nights 15 Nights  Europe - AllFrance & Canary Islands PassageLeaving from: Southampton →+5 ports Sky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky Princess27 Nights 27 Nights  Europe - AllNorthern Europe & Canary Islands Grand AdventureLeaving from: Southampton →+13 ports 2026Princess CruisesSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky PrincessSky Princess28 Nights 28 Nights  Europe - AllWestern Europe & Canary Islands Grand AdventureLeaving from: Southampton →+13 ports 1fr));}@media screen and (min-width: 576px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(1 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(2 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(3 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1284px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(4 Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings Rates are in GBP and valid for UK and Ireland residents only please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of 6th May 2025 (ANS – Funchal) – The 29th edition of the Salesian National Games of Portugal Teams from across the country gathered for this annual event which brings together children and young people from Salesian and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians communities to compete in a variety of sports With the motto “Give Your Best,” this year’s edition brought together 1,100 young athletes from Salesian centers across Portugal Delegations traveled from mainland Portugal to the Salesian center in Funchal located in the Madeira archipelago island—650 visiting athletes joined 450 students from Funchal to participate in the games creating a joyful celebration of sportsmanship the Salesian National Games have celebrated sports within Salesian schools and environments across Portugal drawing hundreds of young athletes annually This year marked the third time the games were hosted in Funchal following previous editions in 2001 and 2007 Several key moments of the event were attended by local civil and religious authorities “Give Your Best,” emphasized the Christian and educational values behind the competition—growth the Salesian Games are a celebration of the Salesian educational and pastoral communities the most important aspects of the Games are “sport and community,” where “everyone is a champion.” and the “Rafael Gomes” Sports Hall For the first time in the history of the Games an open-water swimming event was held—around 80 athletes swam 200 meters in the “Barreirinha” seaside complex The anthem of the 29th edition was played throughout the four-day event This special song paid tribute to the island of Madeira It was produced in collaboration with the Salesian Music Center in Estoril music and arrangement by António Ferreira with mixing and mastering by Paulo Muiños the next host city for the Salesian National Games was announced at the close of the event For the 30th edition in 2026—also marking the 100th anniversary of the Salesians' arrival in Évora—the Games will be held in Évora and parades were all livestreamed on the official YouTube channel of the Salesians of Portugal drawing hundreds of viewers who tuned in to follow the festivities in real time ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The cyclist in his 30s who was seriously injured this afternoon and suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest following an accident involving a car and a bicycle on Rua Dr The man did not resist the strong impact and ended up dying at the Dr after having been admitted still alive after being resuscitated by the Funchal Firefighters and EMIR From Agora Madeira crashing into two vehicles in the Três Paus area An ambulance from the Funchal Fire Department was called to the scene to provide assistance to the victim With a hematoma on his scalp and some abrasions he was taken to the Emergency Department at Dr The corporation also mobilized a vehicle to clean the road From Diário Notícias The North American airline United Airlines has announced eight new destinations that it will begin operating and Funchal is one of them The carrier adds that the operation will be effective from May 2025 but flights from Funchal to Newark (New Jersey) will only be from June 7th and will be three times a week Mongolia are the remaining announced destinations More tourist bloat with no benefit to the average Maderians… I’d love a more detailed explanation of your post Worst Airline i’ve ever travelled with some unhelpful almost arrogant airline stewardesse and can’t keep to schedules You must be referring to a United Express flight operated by an affiliate along some obscure route I’ve never experienced what you’ve mentioned and have flown United several dozen times I can tell you that I felt as if I was in a time capsule my last flight withTAP from Funchal to Lisbon Well Americans won’t be happy being delayed by unpredictable weather There are around 50 airlines flying to Madeira On the occasions bad weather affects flights are those passengers happy “Americans won’t be happy being delayed by unpredictable weather????????” America is a large country with lots of weather patterns Most of us are use to delays caused by snow For the Americans it will be a paradise to be in Madeira until they will gone missing on Levadas or will die falling down on the unsecured and unprepared paths Then United will change their… destination 🙂 As if there aren’t more dangerous unsecured hiking conditions in the Continental US Not to mention the dangers associated with navigating many of the inner cities Part of the balcony of a building located on Rua da Carreira but some internet users warn that “the outcome could have been different if it had been a weekday The Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters were on site and marked the area Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Don't worry, I also hate spam. Geologically dramatic, bursting with exotic colour and warmed year-round by the Atlantic sun, Portugal’s most enchanting island is a place that keeps all its subtropical holiday promises. Pearl of the Atlantic, island of eternal spring…Madeira well deserves its fanciful nicknames and the affection visitors and locals alike feel for this tiny volcanic island that offers so much. Madeira Back to topAttractionsMust-see attractionsQuinta das Cruzes the Quinta das Cruzes is a quintessential old Madeiran manor house complete with gardens and a private chapel Zona Velha Once a run-down area between the Mercado dos Lavradores and the Fortaleza de Santiago in recent years the 'Old Zone' of merchant's houses and 19th… Mercado dos Lavradores Built in 1940 by architect Edmundo Tavares Funchal's art deco market is one of its top attractions as well as still serving as the island's best fresh… Sé Funchal's 16th-century cathedral once oversaw the world's largest diocese – all of Portugal’s overseas territories from Madeira to Brazil to Angola – and… Praia Formosa Anyone who says Madeira has no beaches should hop on bus 1 or 43 to the boulders and browny-black sand of this wild strand in Funchal's western suburbs… Camacha Wicker Factory Camacha is the epicentre of Madeira's wicker industry showcased at the O Relógio (The Clock) building in the centre of the village Jardins Botânicos da Madeira One of the island's top tourist attractions Madeira's famous botanical gardens are a must for most visitors Grutas e Centro do Vulcanismo Top billing on Madeira's north coast goes to this two-for-one attraction just south of São Vicente The first part of the experience is a guided tour of… View more attractionsPlanning ToolsExpert guidance to help you plan your tripBest Things to Do An expert's guide to the Portuguese island. Plan with a localExperience the real Portugal Get startedArticlesLatest stories from MadeiraRead more articlesFilter by interest: Coasts & IslandsFood & Drink All Interests Adventure Travel Art & Culture Beaches Coasts & Islands Food & DrinkBeaches Discover the top things to do in Madeira including must-see attractions scenic hikes and local cuisine in this guide to Portugal’s enchanting island Read more articlesBuild a memorable collectionGet to the heart of Madeira with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopPocket Azores $14.99 Visit in ShopPocket Lisbon $14.99 Go to checkout (0 items)Go BeyondMadeira and beyondFunchalBeyond MadeiraFor Explorers Everywhere No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 12:00pm ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") 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.bg-accent{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-size{font-size: 26px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}Limpets shellfish with garlic and lemon are a typical Madeiran dish Known for its breathtaking landscapes and moderate climate all year round the Portuguese island of Madeira can also be proud of its rich culinary scene Here are some of the best places to eat in the capital Funchal and further afield from family-run favorites to the top-rated fine dining restaurants that showcase the island’s unique flavors including cauliflower and mango couscous with wild shrimp or quinoa with pistachio With a strong focus on vegetables and local ingredients this waterside restaurant offers a wonderful gastronomic experience There’s an attractive outdoor terrace for warm days and evening Lunch at Akua near the Marina is chef Júlio Pereira’s fourth (and newest) restaurant in Funchal and what a lively and delicious experience it is Sit at the counter and watch the enthusiastic chefs at work eggplant and passion fruit and tuna tartar Also be sure to try the fried codfish tacos and white fish ceviche the carabinieri and seafood rice or braised tuna with razor clam rice are standouts Save room for the moreish dessert of white chocolate at Casa Velha by Chef Gonzalo Bita Bota is one of the island’s best fine dining experiences with 12 carefully crafted courses (don’t worry Highlights of the current menu include tuna belly with ponzu The relaxing atmosphere and stellar service contribute to what is always a creative and delicious dinner Located at the golf course in the Palheiro Nature Estate with stunning views of Funchal Bay this casual dining restaurant is an excellent spot for lunch the modern Portuguese menu combines Mediterranean and traditional Madeiran cuisine The Vista Navios fish bowl (marinated in soy and orange edamame and cane honey sauce) is a good choice as is the Balancal chicken bowl (marinated with coconut milk The tasting menus (7 or 9 courses) at Audax offer a great gastronomic experience The Chef and his kitchen team are inspired by the classic regional dishes and flavors to create new Audax is part of the restaurant group that owns The Old Pharmacy and Steak and Sun Theo’s has been a restaurant since 1933 when it was a simple teahouse under the leadership of Chef Júlio Pereira (of Kampo and Akua) Theo’s has been reborn with a renewed purpose to serve up modern Portuguese cuisine with a focus on the local Menu highlights include: Shrimp Rissole; Octopus Rice with Chipotle Mayonnaise and Braised Lamb Shank high above Ponta do Sol beach on the south west coast specialises in fish Start with limpets (tiny shellfish) and garlic bread and for a main Go to Atelier In the Design Centre on the harbor for the food and incredible setting Owned by renowned interior designer Nini Andrade Silva the beautiful restaurant on the top floor offers a simple Modern Portuguese cuisine and a separate vegetarian menu at a wonderful hotel restaurant with incredible ocean views on north coast and excellent Madeiran cuisine an unusual local shellfish that taste like a cross between snails and winkles The rooftop terrace bar at Se Boutique hotel serves unique cocktails with 360º views over the city a tiny bar in Funchal with outdoor seating is a fun place to enjoy one of the island’s native drinks poncha (rum-based drink mixed with various fruit juices and honey) It offers many versions of the drink from the traditional lemon and orange or passionfruit Aside from decent cocktails and a fabulous sunset view over Funchal Bay European Aquatics is delighted to announce that this year’s landmark European Aquatics Artistic Swimming Championships will be hosted by Portugal at Funchal These will be the first stand-alone European Artistic Swimming Championships after the change from the European Cup in 2019 Since then the event has been held as part of the multi European Aquatics Championships within the third European Games that took place in Poland The 2023 edition included mixed gender team competition for the first time and also served as a direct continental qualification event for the women’s duet at the Paris 2024 Olympics European Aquatics President Antonio Silva commented: “I would like to send a warm thank you to my successor in presidency of the Portuguese Swimming Federation Miguel Arrobas for helping to host this prestigious and historic event “We are looking forward to seeing another outstanding competition in Funchal which hosted three EA events in 2023 including the Junior Artistic Championships a Congress and the first ever Masters Short Course competition We are excited to be back in this perfect pool complex with many of the athletes who have made a global impact in recent years “ I also extend my sincere gratitude to all his colleagues at the Federation to the local organising committee and to all those who will be contributing to the success of the impending Championships elected last November after Antonio Silva had completed the three-term limit in that position “It’s an honour to receive in Portugal the Artistic Swimming European Championships which gather the best European athletes in this aquatic discipline.” European Aquatics would also like to thank COMEN Bureau (Mediterranean Swimming Confederation) for their support in securing this great host and emphasise that thanks to a careful co-ordination of the competition schedule there will also be at the same dates and venue annual COMEN Cup for Youth (13-15 years old) open to athletes from all European Federations This combined competitions for senior and youth will ensure a real celebration for Artistic Swimming in Europe Meanwhile look out for the event’s information bulletin which will contain full details of the competition including accreditation entry form and the full programme of competition which took place within the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade saw Spain finish top of the medals table with four golds with Dennis Gonzalez Boneu securing the men’s solo technical title and earning mixed duet gold with Emma Garcia in the free routine and Mireia Hernandez in the technical routine Vasiliki Alexandri of Austria won women’s solo free and technical gold performances which helped her earn the title as European Aquatics Female Artistic Swimmer of the Year for 2024 Meanwhile the women’s duet free and technical routines were won by Dutch twins Bregje and Noortje de Brouwer ahead of Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe the birthplace of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is a popular tourist destination in the Atlantic Ocean which enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate all year round Tel: +41 22 552 99 99Fax: +41 22 552 99 89eaoffice@europeanaquatics.org  Powered by MicroPlus Data Processing & Timing Sign in Join now, it's FREE! off the coast of Africa and roughly in line with Morocco is a wonderful vacation spot visited by many Europeans and increasingly more North Americans and we certainly enjoyed our rather short 10-day visit in April I had spent time exploring the underwater world of Madeira but my wife Claudia and Sylvia had more time to explore that area around the capital city of Funchal known as the “island of eternal spring,” with temperatures rarely dropping below 10 degrees Celsius We were quite comfortable in April with daily average temperatures of 21 C at a restaurant sitting outside in the evening a light sweater made it more comfortable if the wind off the ocean could be felt It is a mountainous island and at times we became aware of clouds in the higher elevations which looked threatening but we never encountered anything more than a gentle sprinkle for about 10 minutes one day We had experienced the cuisine on the Azores a few years ago and were expecting similar on Madeira All the restaurant experiences we had on the island were wonderful and we had the opportunity to try several of the local dishes was my favourite meal — it's a very ugly fish that tastes great any way it is cooked A specialty with this fish is with a sauce and a banana Another seafood dish I enjoyed was the squid and scampi skewers Beef or chicken served on skewers suspended on a rack at the table was also very good onion and egg soup and several of the local desserts such as passion fruit puddings and cookies one cannot pass a Portuguese bakery without stopping in for a Pastel de Nata crispy pastry filled with a light egg custard A day excursion we undertook together was to walk down the main promenade to the harbour area where we saw several cruise boats in the harbour including the Cunard vessel Queen Victoria takes folk out along the coast and we often saw it sailing by we took the gondola ride up to the Mont area where there are wonderful gardens to experience the original which was built in 1489 and rebuilt after an earthquake in 1818 — a lot of steps involved lie the remains of the last Emperor of Austria Instead of taking the gondola back down we opted for a traditional Madeira experience — the Toboggan Ride This ride on traditional wicker basket ‘sleighs’ is  a great tradition on Madeira You travel down the streets on this sleigh with two ‘riders’ at the back who direct the sleigh or pull it on level surfaces It’s very popular and well worth the experience Also amazing was when we climbed out of the sleigh at the end of the ride a photograph memorializing the event was waiting for us,  for a small fee A walk from our hotel took us along some interesting roads leading to the downtown area We were impressed by the tiled walkways seen throughout the city in the Portuguese tradition.  These mosaic tiled pavements are exquisitely designed It  is a traditional style of pavement used in many pedestrian areas It consists of small pieces of stone arranged in pattern or image like a mosaic.  The stones are made of natural stone usually white or black limestone as well as basalt Each stone is applied by hand to form these decorative patterns They were seen throughout the area and were quite beautiful Claudia and Sylvia ventured out on the local buses one day They caught a local bus to a small fishing village west of Funchal called Camara de Lobos They also visited the narrow and colourful street in Funchal There are many restaurants in the area but it is known for all the colourful doors painted by local artists It would be remiss not to mention Madeira’s most famous person a professional soccer player who plays forward and captains for both Saudi Pro league club Al Nassr and Portugal’s national team The airport on Madeira bears his name  A much-visited statue and museum honours his contributions to the beautiful game The port expects to handle a total of 73 overnight stays by the end of the year The Port of Funchal in Madeira has experienced an increase in overnight cruise stays this year with the Madeira Port Administration (APRAM SA) expecting to have hosted 73 in total by the end of 2024.  marking an increase on the 14 overnight cruise stays it welcomed in November and December 2023.  but also in promoting the destination itself,” said Paula Cabaço “The longer stays encourage deeper connections with the city strengthening the bond between the port and the community The short distance between the port and the city is undoubtedly a key factor in encouraging cruise lines to extend their stay in Funchal allowing passengers to enjoy the city by night.”  The Port of Funchal welcomed 279 cruise ship calls in 2023 and an increase of 51 per cent compared to 2022 APRAM expects to exceed these figures in 2024.  Read more: ICS 2024 session highlights benefits of overnight cruise stays  Tags: ports and destinations   News The most popular stories of the month delivered to your inbox Cloudy weather will have been a relief for the 8,800 seated spectators mainly tourists paying 30 euros for a seat to watch the parade Animad suprised the crowds with the release of red balloons each participant in the troupe carried a balloon For a moment the released balloons diverted the attention of the large audience that filled the avenues along the Funchal seafront the floats were regrouped in the Cais 8 car park where they will remain on display until the end of the afternoon (6 pm) tomorrow Well anyone intrested how the Flower Festival in Madeira started in1954 with the holding of the “Festa da Rosa” in Funchal The Ateneu Comercial do Funchal organized this event which involved a flower exhibition and awards for the best flowers the festival became known as the “Festa da Flor” and became a very successful annual event The organization was transferred to the Regional Tourism Board the former regional secretary for Tourism and Culture in 1979 that made this a main event in Madeira I’m looking forward to returning next May for the Flower Festival What an amazing experience our first time on this beautiful island and so lucky to see the whole parade Myself and wife spending our 25th Wedding anniversary here what a a fantastic day HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Madeira the festive mood takes over the villages and towns of Madeira The actual New Year celebrations kick off here on December 30 Locals and visitors go out for a fancy dinner and then party until the night of December 31 You'll see lots of people dressed in tuxedos and gala dresses in the street of Funchal the city of Funchal transforms into a festive fairytale The city center is completely enveloped in the wonderful Christmas lights many cruise ships arrive at the Bay of Funchal The streets welcome the crowds of various nationalities The festivities reach their peak on New Year's eve with numerous clubs hosting parties or locals gathering for their own celebrations followed by a spectacular fireworks display Eight fantastic minutes of fireworks are worth the trip to Madeira for the New Year celebration This grand show is one of the most important events in Madeira and was recognized in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records as "The largest fireworks show in the World." The fireworks launch from 59 locations across Funchal Cheerful spectators are everywhere: in the streets and in the sea on their large cruise ships or yachts in the Bay hotels and nightclubs start opening their doors for the New Year’s Eve party NEXT Hotel in Funchal hosts a grandiose New Year's Eve party with a scrumptious theme of Willy Wonka The elegant gala dinner takes place at Network Lounge and features drinks Join the party at Cloud Bar with the best electronic music and DJ sets Tickets for the gala dinner cost €195 per adult and €97,50 per child while tickets to the party alone cost €175 per adult and €87,50 per child you can purchase package tickets for €320 for adults and €160 for children A Cabaret-themed party is also set to be hosted at the Savoy Palace The gala dinner will take place at the grand ballroom followed by the "Little Party Never Killed Nobody" celebration at Galáxia Skybar you'll have a chance to witness the stunning spectacle of fireworks splashing the sky of Madeira with colors Tickets to dinner cost €515 for adults and €257,50 for children between 3 and 12 years old Tickets to the party cost €290 for adults and €145 for children you can purchase tickets for €350 and €175 Access after 12:15 am costs €145 for adults and €72,50 for children consider purchasing exclusive tickets for €1,075€ for adults and €537,50 for children The festive spirit gets even stronger when the Madeira Orchestra performs its New Year’s concert for thousands of people at Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias The concert takes place in January in two sessions filled with festive music and the remarkable beauty of classic instruments is conducted by Luis Andrade with a solo performance and we would like to summarise for readers those services being held in English in churches across the region this coming Easter weekend Please follow the links to website/Facebook pages If we have missed any churches in this listing but please add your comments below and this listing may be amended accordingly Holy Trinity Church, the Anglican Church in Funchal, Madeira Church of the Son Facebook Page Funchal with Funchal Baptist Church & International Church Madeira) Easter Sunday 20th April 11 am – 12 am Baptist Church of Funchal Friday 18th April 4 pm  (see Church of the Son) MIBC-Baptist in Funchal Christ Church in Funchal Chapel of Penha de França – Roman Catholic Church with English service The TimesYou’d be hard-pushed to find a prettier city than Funchal terracotta-tiled buildings seem on the brink of being swallowed by impossibly lush greenery the old town and waterfront set in a natural amphitheatre with suburbs sprawling up the hills and along the coast Hotels here fall into four broad categories are perfect for short stays and city sightseeing on foot extensive facilities and direct access to the sea with tourist shops and restaurants sitting cheek-by-jowl with big hotels designed to cater to those who will take trips into the city but are intent on plenty of sun-soaked downtime too choose one of the quintas — converted historic mansions with beautiful gardens often set back from the coast among the hills Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners JET2££ | POOL | Best for a city centre location Sitting between the Se Cathedral and the sea this hotel could hardly be more convenient for sightseeing The building is historic but the interiors are modern neutral-toned rooms including family options and suites cocktail bar and wraparound views is bound to be your favourite The buffet breakfasts are standout; come dinner time you have all the old town’s restaurants within a short walk There can be a little street noise at night £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for timeless luxury The grande dame of Madeira’s hotels has been hosting the high and mighty at its clifftop location since 1891 — it’s where Churchill wrote his memoirs and George Bernard Shaw learnt to tango Those belle époque good looks remain unfaded with 126 well-upholstered rooms in pastel tones a clutch of swanky restaurants — including Michelin-starred William and the hotel’s afternoon tea — plus a spa a kids’ club and three pools set in extensive gardens which you can tour with a horticulturalist Steps cut into the rock lead directly into the sea Read our full review of Belmond Reid’s Palace JET2££ | SPA | POOL | Best for gorgeous gardens Up in the hills that crowd Funchal’s historic core 18th-century manor house has bags of chintzy charm It’s packed with antiques and has a library and billiard room with a curvaceous outdoor pool and six acres of botanical gardens featuring more than 500 species of plants and trees While older guests love the verdant tranquillity the venerable and friendly giant tortoise who roams the grounds From the black scabbardfish on the dinner menu to the fado nights at the bar and the in-house shop selling local art and crafts this characterful hotel in the heart of the old town is a celebration of all things Madeiran The 54 rooms with blue and white tile accents take inspiration from the nearby cathedral from the spring green breakfast room to the sky-blue roof terrace There’s a small indoor pool and spa treatments are available EXPEDIA££ | SPA | POOL | Best for family facilities With a prime seafront location in Funchal’s western Lido suburb the Residence is part of the three-hotel Vila Porto Mare resort The combination of apartment stays — there are 99 studio one and two-bedroom options — and extensive hotel facilities five pools and sea access — make it a great choice for families who can combine self-catering with the five restaurants on-site There’s a supermarket and loads of local bars and restaurants nearby and the centre of Funchal is ten minutes away by bus — there’s a stop right outside the hotel UK.HOTELS.COM££ | SPA | POOL | Best for high-end dining It’s not only the position that’s elevated at this hotel set high on Funchal’s rocky seaside peninsula — the dining is too the island’s only two Michelin-star restaurant which combines contemporary techniques with traditional ingredients — but you’ll also want to try Avista for fusion cuisine and the Rose Garden with its outdoor terraces and daily changing menu three pools and a sunbathing pontoon at sea level • Best hotels in Madeira• Best things to do in Madeira JET2£ | SPA | POOL | Best for historic character Five heritage buildings have been thoughtfully converted to create this welcoming atmospheric hotel on a cobbled street in the centre of Funchal Artworks and furnishings nod to the former lives of the structures with original typography tables from the print shop in the restaurant and old bakery ovens in the library The 81 rooms are understated but cosy; the real wow factor is saved for the sleek rooftop pool and solarium with spectacular views Treatments are organic and the front desk is a giant slice of an ancient tree from the island’s laurisilva forest BOOKING.COM£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a hotel-within-a-hotel 40-room boutique perched on top of the already-quite-swanky Savoy Palace hotel has their own butler on call around the clock to make restaurant reservations organise spa treatments and set up experiences from market tours with the chef to sunrise boat trips You’ll be met and fast-tracked through the airport so you can settle into your suite — think lots of marble and floor-to-ceiling glazing some with private pools — all the more speedily Breakfast in your room or at the Jacaranda Club exclusive to the Reserve — but enjoy the larger parent hotel’s extensive facilities; six restaurants gym and four pools including one for children but what it lacks in size it makes up for with style historic stone is twinned with brushed concrete and the restaurant is all wicker and greenery organic produce from granola and pancakes to poke bowls and open sandwiches The well-equipped gym is open 24 hours a day so you can fit in a workout around your sightseeing JET2££ | SPA | POOL | Best for tranquil hideaways Set back from the busy resort strip and cloaked in acres of tropical gardens this peaceful retreat is closer to the city centre than it feels The 49-room hotel combines a beautifully maintained 19th-century manor house where you’ll find the elegant restaurant and a handful of historic suites Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired quinta containing the rest of the rooms tulip trees and wisteria and relax by the heated outdoor pool — you’ll feel as lazy as the bumble bees humming gently among the bougainvillaea BOOKING.COM£ | SPA | POOL | Best for youthful vibes If you’d rather lose a limb than your phone then the 126-room NEXT Hotel’s digital-first approach will suit The hotel app allows you to do everything from ordering room service to accessing a virtual personal trainer to guide you in the gym and you’ll find extra high-tech touches including arcade games in the lobby and an underwater sound system in the pool at the rooftop Cloud Bar sushi and yakitori accompany a DJ-selected soundtrack There’s a larger pool at ground level and access to the sea via steps alongside the main restaurant which serves à la carte breakfasts and a Hawaiian menu during the rest of the day JET2££ | SPA | POOL | Best for wine lovers At the western edge of the old town with views from the rooftop infinity pool to the marina this modern design hotel puts its focus firmly on the grape An intense palette of vineyard shades — claret The menu at penthouse restaurant Uva changes seasonally; ground-floor breakfast spot Terra has a tactile sculptured ceiling so you feel as if you’re dining under vines The small spa has a range of vinotherapy treatments including wine baths and crushed grapeseed scrubs JET2££ | SPA | POOL | Best for all-inclusive breaks There’s a real generosity to the all-inclusive package at this large sea-facing five-star at the heart of Funchal’s Lido resort strip It covers the three speciality restaurants — Madeiran Italian and Asian — in addition to the main buffet where there are takeaway bags on offer in case you want to put together a packed lunch to take on trips out sports bar and in the entertainment lounge It’s popular with families during school holidays; there are kids’ and teens’ clubs spa and ten-minute bus ride into the centre of Funchal appeal to more mature guests EXPEDIA£ | POOL | Best for apartment stays It’s a best-of-both-worlds situation with this collection of 13 pared-back but stylish apartments With kitchens equipped with Smeg appliances you can cook your purchases from Mercado dos Lavradores — Funchal’s historic farmers’ market just a ripe mango’s throw away from the front door There’s also a buzzy restaurant with a Josper grill and a sociable rooftop space with a heated pool Complimentary pastries arrive at your door each morning and there’s free underground parking making this a great choice for travellers who want to explore the island • Best villas in Madeira• Best all-inclusive hotels in Madeira Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here was seriously injured following a violent collision with a passenger car The accident occurred this afternoon and left those who witnessed the incident in shock According to a source from Civil Protection in a scene that was shocking due to the severity of the injuries The cyclist was promptly assisted by the pre-hospital team of the Funchal Firefighters with urgent reinforcement from the EMIR medical team called to the scene due to the critical situation Despite the efforts of the teams on the ground the man was transported with signs of life but in an extremely serious condition to the Dr where he remains hospitalised in the emergency room The Public Security Police took charge of the incident and are now investigating the circumstances of the accident that shook the tranquility of this morning in the city of Funchal From Jornal Madeira Portugal – October 2024 – For the Salesians 25 October marked the beginning of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of their presence in Funchal The school courtyard was the centre of celebrations with the students during the morning with music in the presence of Fr Tarcízio Morais Superior of the Salesian Province of Portugal (por) "Art & Sal" and other guests linked to the presence of the Salesians in Funchal over the years since the arrival development and consolidation of Don Bosco's educational project in the lands of the "Pearl of the Atlantic" at a conference on “Territory and Urban Mobility” organised by the Orders of Engineers and Architects and ACIF engineer Paula Teles argued that “Madeira needs to think quickly about connecting the city centre of Funchal to the main urban areas with shuttles or the Metro” The news was highlighted by RTP-Madeira on Facebook and sparked a debate on the subject with dozens of comments on the viability of these and other solutions Former CMF councillor Edgar Marques Silva (‘Mudança’ coalition) warned that “these experts from outside come here with suggestions that have been discussed for over 20 years” We will focus on fact-checking on the proposal that Paula Teles made for the creation of a “surface metro” line between the center of Funchal and the main population centers in its surroundings a solution that could solve the problem of the “queues of cars” that form “every day” the then councillor for Urban Planning at the CMF considered the possibility of building a surface metro line that would follow the route of the riverbanks The idea was already foreseen in the Municipal Master Plan (PDM) and the municipal executive was studying an application for the investment to receive European funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework “The Municipal Master Plan refers to the need to create alternative transport and the only free spaces in the city for such transport are the São João who made the implementation of the project dependent on the outcome of negotiations with the Government these talks did not come to a ‘good end’ this same idea was revived by a group of socialists at a Regional Convention of PS Mayors launched the proposal to create a Metropolitan Council And one of the related suggestions was to carry out “a study on the feasibility of a surface metro in the capital of Madeira which would be implemented along the radial riverbanks and the Estrada Monumental” In the context of the 2001 local elections then led by José António Cardoso and José Manuel Rodrigues agreed to run jointly for the Funchal City Council the respective coalition announced its main proposal to “seek to solve the serious problem of car traffic”: a surface metro connecting various points in the city of Funchal associated with the closure of several roads The PS and CDS candidacy stated that it had preliminary studies for the installation of a metro identical to the one that was being installed in the city of Porto at the time The idea involved connecting the flat areas of the city namely the Avenida do Mar-Mercado dos Lavradores-Avenida Arriaga route and the Campo da Barca-end of Rua da Carreira route It was considered essential to connect the hotel area and Nazaré where the largest population cluster in the city was located the proposal by socialists and the people involved translated into a new philosophy of traffic and parking below Cota 40 where alternative means of transport would be the central solution This proposal was criticized from various quarters described it as a “surrealist proposal” and the CDU as a “megalomaniac’s daydream” Miguel Albuquerque stated that the surface metro “is not a solution for the city of Funchal” due to the high investment that would be required he revealed that the CMF itself had already carried out a preliminary study on the costs and expected number of users of a metro service between Praia Formosa and the city centre It would require spending six million contos (equivalent to around 30 million euros) and would have a low number of users which would result in a “financial disaster” the PSD won the Funchal Council with 6 councillors while the PS/CDS coalition only elected three which did not have the conditions to implement its mobility plan After the intense debate in the 2001 local elections the idea of ​​a metro was put aside and only sporadically raised as a possibility the regional spokesperson for Quercus advocated the evaluation of this alternative means of collective urban transport Hélder Spínola recalled the example of Barcelona (a metro that runs on wheels and runs on batteries which is a hybrid solution that does not require electrified circuits the PTP candidate for the Funchal City Council advocated a study on the feasibility of a surface metro it is true that for more than two decades there has been talk of the possibility of creating a metro line in the city of Funchal A bit early for an April Fool’s prank These are the same river banks that overflowed with rocks in 2010 Sooner or later they will have to deal with the ever growing traffic congestion A city’s success is measured by the mobility of its citizens and kicking the can down the road is not going to help matters far better to have a suspended or elevated metro system that does not interfere with the already overcrowded road system The obvious choice is an underground system but that comes at enormous cost Might be an idea to improve the bus service in order to alleviate traffic problems If you could do it like the illustration with an incredible shrinking tram that could squeeze into a gutter at the front while occupying the entire width of the lane at the back the engineering would be considerably easier Typically you need to divert services – such as sewers gas mains and cables – so they’re not affected by the weight and are accessible without closing the line And then you can’t easily reroute a tram if the line is affected by a rockfall or flooding If you have the density of population to justify it but bendy buses in dedicated bus lanes would be considerably cheaper – and they deal rather better with hills There would actually be space on some of the principal routes to reserve a bus lane and other places where land would in principle be available (though it’s very much at a premium on Madeira) But Madeirans like their cars (not sure why I’ve always found driving on Madeira a bit of an ordeal myself) and I don’t see giving up road space to buses being terribly popular better public transport could in principle be a game changer – it’s getting the cars out of the way that will be the challenge… Everything is now ready for the start of another edition of the ‘Cortejo Trapalhão’ one of the highlights of this Carnival day forming part of the programme of festivities prepared by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Culture through the Regional Directorate of Tourism Registration to take part in the parade is still open (it closes at 3:40pm) many partygoers have already confirmed their participation There are cash prizes for the best costumes in several categories In a re-edition of the spontaneity of the ‘Carnaval da Rua da Carreira’ of other times the ‘Trapalhão’ is usually strongly marked by satire and criticism The masked people will parade in the improvised ‘sambadrome’ between Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro and Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses (south side) many people are already waiting for the parade to pass on both sides of the avenue to the sound of Carnival music that creates an atmosphere According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) there is a nearly 30% chance of some precipitation From Diário Notícias Christmas lights will color the main avenues and arteries in the center and surroundings of Funchal the regional secretariat highlights that the lighting covers the main avenues and arteries of all parishes in Funchal The lights will come on at 6pm and will be off at 1am on most days when the lights will be switched off at 6am The “Celestial Path of Storms” will be created at Cais do Funchal see and interact with the help of their mobile phones and direct interactions Along this path there will be ‘clouds’ that change color curtains of lights that will imitate falling rain ‘stars’ that shine and even ‘lightning’ At the end of the path there will be a grand ‘sun’” Technology and human interaction will also be present in other arteries of the city with motion sensors and the possibility of controlling colors on Rua Fernão de Ornelas and adjacent areas the lights are inspired by the Cleopatra-da-Madeira butterfly “a species endemic to the island that has the unique characteristic of being luminous and fluorescent” “The entire project was designed with original pieces following the highest criteria of aesthetics and creativity religious and regional nature of Madeira’s Christmas celebrations” An interactive Christmas tree will once again be installed in Praça do Povo which will feature “flying pieces simulating an enormous musical score” inside and an augmented reality experience In Praça Colombo there will be a 3D installation “simulating a stylized Christmas ball and tree which will serve as a ‘photopoint’” while Praça CR7 and Avenida Sá Carneiro will be filled with Christmas elements associated with the theme of the sea Avenida Sá Carneiro will have an installation with luminous jellyfish and in Praça CR7 “there will be two walls filled with jellyfish similar to those on the avenue” The Regional Government has launched two public tenders worth a total of 3.6 million euros (excluding VAT) assembly and dismantling of Christmas and New Year’s Eve lighting in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 and Carnival lighting in the next two years The Regional Secretariat for Tourism highlights that “the technology and equipment used will be environmentally friendly such as the exclusive use of LED (light transmitting diode) respecting the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability” The Ministry adds that the tender specifications contemplated “once again the reduction of energy consumption and the introduction of innovative and sustainable technologies capable of simultaneously guaranteeing not only the surprise effect but also sustainability with regard to the materials/equipment used” From Jornal Madeira St8ll doesn’t appear to be much activity erecting the lights around the sea front but the base of the large Christmas tree has appeared The 136th anniversary of the Funchal Fire Brigade will be celebrated tomorrow with a motorcade between the fire station and Largo do Município emergency vehicles will be operating slowly The parade is scheduled to depart at 10 am and arrive at 12:30 pm The president and vice-president of the Funchal City Council will participate in this ceremony at Largo do Município From Diário Notícias Thousands of people are already filling the length of Sá Carneiro and Mar Avenues and Madeira Communities to watch the allegorical procession that will mark this Carnival night Around 1,500 people will parade in the 13 troupes with their respective floats from 8 pm along the route that starts on Avenida Sa Carneiro until the end of the southern strip of Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses Organized by the Regional Secretariat for Economy the Saturday night allegorical parade is a long tradition spanning decades and attracts thousands of people to downtown Funchal This year it is being threatened by rain which remains in the mountains of the Madeiran capital and far from the center although a ‘little sieve’ is falling at the moment How wonderful to share in some Carnival atmosphere from the misery in the UK I read the blog every day to keep in touch as we come only once a year The four ships that were today in the port of Funchal – AIDAluna which arrived yesterday afternoon and evening – are carrying 7,361 people The AIDAluna is on a transatlantic repositioning voyage to Europe On this 25-night cruise from Martinique to Hamburg the ship has 2,121 passengers and 604 crew members on board It will spend 10 hours in the port of Funchal and resume its journey at 7:00 pm The Hanseatic Spirit will end its 17-night cruise in Funchal A partial turnaround is currently being carried out involving 177 disembarkations and 199 embarkations for an 11-night cruise around the Azores Islands which will end on May 3 at the port of Leixões is making a seven-night cruise between the Canaries and Madeira Once again Funchal is overwhelmed by so many people off ships I can understand that they spend money whilst there but so busy that most of the tourists stay out of the city whilst the ships are docked I respect your choice to stay out of Madeira when there are 3/4 boats in but I ‘ve been coming a lot longer and on far more occasions than your self and have never felt overwhelmed by the number of day trippers from the tour boats and don’t believe most of the the holiday makers spending their holiday in Madeira stay out of Funchal After 16 years at the Royal Savoy it was only the second time this year we had drinks in the the pool area Apart from the coach drop off point and the cable car which seem to be the main points for sheer numbers they just give the City a healthy buzz I may have to wait an extra five minutes for my morning coffee near the Cathedral but I’m just as likely to spend that five minutes eavesdropping or speaking to these “people.” Most don’t hit Funchal till 10-30 and are back on board by 5-00 they have as much right as the rest of us to enjoy Funchal and the boats part of the “Madeira Experience.” On an “average” day it has around 25k visitors that arrived by plane About 70% of the island works in Funchal which makes around 185k people A total of 220k are in Funchal at a given time of day but its not 2 or 3 ships that will cause an obvious shift in overwhelming perception other than 3 hotspots Other than those hotspots you can by no mean identify if there are 0 Thank you for a great picture of the cruise ships with your information