10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Funchal That You Shouldn't Miss

June 5, 2021 Janean Rudisill

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. The laid-back city owes much of its historical prominence to "white gold," Madeiran sugar. Today Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker's Market, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around.
Restaurants in Funchal

1. Caravel Art Center

Rua Dom Carlos I 19 20 Rua de Santa Maria, 60, Funchal, Madeira 9060-051 Portugal +351 913 655 459 [email protected] http://www.artcaravel.com/
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 223 reviews

Caravel Art Center

The biggest International Art Center, Gallery and Art shop based on Madeira island with worldwide delivery. We work as an art residence with Portuguese and foreign artists, representing their interests far beyond our island. We also work with several Portuguese ceramists to highlight their contemporary take on traditional Portuguese ceramics. You can get to know the artists by visiting the page ART RESIDENTS and our BLOG. See the CURRENT STOCK section for collections and works available now. All artworks are unique and have original certificate of authenticity The shop is open every day, except Sunday . The gallery is open from Monday to Friday and temporarily from 10 to 5 pm.

Reviewed By OlgaO

We had a wonderful art workshop in Caravel - this was a great chance for us to try watercolors painting, without any prior experience. The atmosphere in Caravel is very inspiring, waking up your creativity. We draw nice paintings and each of us was quite surprised with her own talent ;) Also at the back of the building they have a lovely shop with little masterpieces of ceramics, paintings, and other art. Just inside this shop it's easy to spend half-hour or more - and the biggest challenge is to choose what to buy without buying everything ;-) Thank you very much for this experience and I wish you a lot of success!

2. Madeira Optics Museum

Rua Pretas 51, Funchal, Madeira 9000-049 Portugal +351 961 822 358 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/madeiraopticsmuseum/
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
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5.0 based on 42 reviews

Madeira Optics Museum

Exhibition of more than 2000 cameras, projectors, telescopes, binoculars and other things optical, from years 1700 to 2000.

Reviewed By honestandfair1966 - Scarborough, United Kingdom

In the ???? of Funchal hundreds of vintage cameras, binoculars, telescopes, all from private collection... a must-visit for everyone interested in photography and film. The exhibition area is spread over two floors, and a coffee/foyer/small antique shop. Upstairs you get to watch a melange of private video clips depicting Madeira from '50s onwards. Just brill! I only wish the ever-growing collection gets all support from local authorities as it is obvious the museum is in need of constant maintenance and expansion! Madeira should be proud to have such a gem of the place! It's places like this museum that make all the difference for a tourist hungry for cultural food!

3. 3d Fun Art Museum

Rua Surdo, 24, Funchal, Madeira 9000-223 Portugal +351 291 224 745 [email protected] http://www.3dfunart.com
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 86 reviews

3d Fun Art Museum

A space for everyone where you can not only become part of 3D art, but also dive for a moment into a world of optical illusions!

Reviewed By MoleyPembrokeshire

Great fun, from young to old there is something for everyone, the memories and photos to take home with you. Lovely friendly and very helpful staff.. Hours of fun. ????

4. Santa Clara Convent

Calcada Santa Clara 15, Funchal, Madeira 9000-036 Portugal +351 291 742 602 http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/santa-clara-convent
Excellent
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4.5 based on 479 reviews

Santa Clara Convent

Reviewed By marg826 - Coventry, United Kingdom

If you want to step in the footsteps of the first explorers then come here and see the amazing Convent which is still in use today. It is so worth the climb up the hill!

5. Blandy's Wine Lodge

Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal, Madeira 9000-064 Portugal +351 291 228 978 [email protected] http://www.blandyswinelodge.com
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,403 reviews

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Acquired in 1840 by Charles Ridpath Blandy, the Blandy's Wine Lodge has always been and is still an integral part of the production of Blandy's Madeira Wine. Located in the center of Funchal, Blandy's Wine Lodge allows visitors to Madeira an opportunity to experience first hand Madeira Wine in the making. Our tours will guide you through some of the history of the wine, its development and evolution, as well as the opportunity to taste the various styles of Madeira. Blandy's Madeira celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, the Blandy Wine Lodges give you a privileged perspective on 200 years of Madeira Wine. The lodge was bought by Charles Ridpath in the mid-19th century and not only was it an extremely valuable property, but was also very useful due to the fact that it was directly connected to the family's town house. Each one of the Lodge's rooms have their own character and due to the differing temperatures and humidity, the wines all have differing ageing profiles based on their location within the lodge. The eastern warehouse holds wine dating back to 1920 and the family's private vintage collection is held within thick stone walls, below the ground floor. The museum holds artefacts that include letters from Sir. Winston Churchill, coins from Blandy's bank and the island's oldest wooden lagar, dating back to the 17th Century. Murals from the renowned German artist Max Romer decorate the tasting room and references from the company's wide range of vintage wines are held in the sala frasqueira. Today the Lodge is the heart of the family's wine business where over 650 casks, tonnels and vats are stored, ageing the finest of the family's wines in the traditional canteiro method.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We did the 45 minute tour; brilliant guide, plenty to see, two different styles of Madeira wine to sample at the end of the tour, with the possibility of paying a very reasonable amount to sample many other wines, which we did! If you then buy a bottle of the wine that you sampled, the cost of the sample is deducted from the purchase price (and an additional 10% deducted if you had done the tour, so we ended up with two nice bottles of Madeira for 16.40 euros. Most helpfully, they give you a voucher to pick up the bottles at the airport after you have gone through security.

6. Igreja de Sao Pedro

Rua Nova Sao Pedro 1, Funchal, Madeira 9000-048 Portugal +351 291 222 523
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 102 reviews

Igreja de Sao Pedro

7. Museu Henrique e Francisco Franco

Rua Joao de Deus 13, Funchal, Madeira 9050-027 Portugal +351 291 211 090
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
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10%
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4.5 based on 31 reviews

Museu Henrique e Francisco Franco

8. Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Largo do Colegio, Funchal, Madeira 9000-000 Portugal +351 291 233 534
Excellent
69%
Good
30%
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4.5 based on 198 reviews

Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Reviewed By LindaW587 - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

This is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. It is in the centre of Funchal and the ornate interior is breathtaking with so much gold and tiling. Well worth a visit.

9. Holy Trinity Church

Rua Quebra Costas 18, Funchal, Madeira 9000-034 Portugal +351 965 653 280 [email protected] http://www.holytrinitychurchmadeira.com
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 185 reviews

Holy Trinity Church

An Anglican (Church of England) Church in Funchal, Madeira - providing for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the english speaking community and visitors to Madeira. Holy Trinity Church - Important Information (14th March 2020) Due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, it announced that all organised group activity in the church, its associated buildings, the grounds and the British Cemetery is suspended until further notice. This will include all organised meetings, no matter how small, as well, of course, the church services. We hope to be able to open again as soon as circumstances and the legal regulations pertaining to the pandemic allow. In the meantime, please Stay At Home and Stay Safe !

Reviewed By Jrd1208 - Manchester, United Kingdom

Services every Sunday ad Wednesday. Coffee morning on Saturday. Other events on website. Nightly concerts and also on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. Check last only started February 2020. Visitors are made very welcome especially if they offer their services for various activities

10. Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu

Calcada Pico 2 Centro Cívico e Cultural de Santa Clara, Funchal, Madeira 9000-206 Portugal +351 291 225 122 http://cultura.madeira-edu.pt/universodememorias/In%C3%ADcio/tabid/54/language/pt-PT/Default.aspx
Excellent
75%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
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4.5 based on 219 reviews

Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu

Reviewed By AHugh

The Universo de Memorias João Carlos Abrue, an amazing collection of mementoes collected throughout his life as journalist, traveller, poet, writer, politician, actor and artist on trips to different countries around the world. Unfortunately photography wasn't allowed on this tour, however, if you're ever in Madeira it's well worth a visit, an absolutely amazing collection of objects, jewellery and art. Tours are on the hour from 10am to 4pm. We arrived half an hour early for a coffee and patinga scone in the tea room which were delicious. The tangerine cake looked lovely too. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Will be back for both

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