What to do and see in Funchal, Madeira Islands: The Best Museums

September 1, 2021 Nicolette Lion

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

Avenida do infante 11, Funchal, Madeira 9000-052 Portugal +351 919 597 234 [email protected] http://www.artmallgallery.com
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

ART MALL Gallery

2. 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%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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!

3. Kunstgalerie - Wolfgang Lass

Rua Santa Maria Zona Velha, Funchal, Madeira Portugal +351 968 332 880
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Kunstgalerie - Wolfgang Lass

Reviewed By funq1

We regularly pop into this gallery. There are a wide selection of paintings by Wolfgang and his wife, in addition to painted ceramic tiles. The pictures that Wolfgang does of scenes of ships are particularly good, and one time he even showed us how he constructs the form of the ships. The blue and white tiles by his wife are so very good. Wolfgang is always very welcoming and happy to describe the work he has been undertaking - he has painted several doors in the old town. He often also plays good music. The paintings are updated regularly and so definitely worth popping in from time to time.

Rua do Hospital Velho n. 28 Store 08, Funchal, Madeira 9060-129 Portugal [email protected] http://restockfunchal.blogspot.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Restock Galeria Gallery

RESTOCK presents first class artists from around the world in inside the complex of Armazém do Mercado only 50 steps from the Fish/Flower Market in the Zona Velha (Old Town) of Funchal, Madeira. There are local artists and crafters who exhibit along with artists who live in America, Australia, Europe and especially Southern Africa, where we had a gallery in Durban, South Africa for 15 years.

Reviewed By charlottebM5827LF

You haven’t visited authentic Funchal, until you have visited Restock! The staff are extremely welcoming and speak English perfectly. I would highly recommend visiting the gallery during lunchtime, because it is a quiet and pleasant environment with plenty of artwork to browse. Restock is a perfect place to purchase unique locally-made souvenirs, authentic handmade jewellery and post cards. And they sell second hand books in English, German, Swedish and Dutch languages for €1 - €2 - I visited because I needed a book to read in English while on holiday. They also display several exhibitions and sell beautiful artwork made by local and African artists that the gallery owners personally select. Go and visit! For 1 minute or 1 hour!

5. 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%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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!

Rua Santa Maria 179, Funchal, Madeira 9060-291 Portugal +351 912 145 560 [email protected] http://www.ma-gallery.weebly.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

MA Gallery

« M.A.Gallery» is an art gallery and stained glass studio established by artists Alexander Semenov and Maria Kuznetsova in 2017 in Funchal. We conduct master classes : oil , water color painting , stained-glass . You can find more information in our website: https://ma-gallery.weebly.com/master-classes.html In our art gallery you can see oil and watercolor paintings, intaglio, glass and metal artwork. « M.A.Gallery» is the only stained glass studio on Madeira founded with the goal to expose creative process to the public.

7. Museu Dos Anjos - Museum of Arts and Traditions

Rua Dr. Fernao de Ornelas N 15 1º Floor, Funchal, Madeira 9050-021 Portugal +351 291 234 353 [email protected] http://www.damat.pt
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Museu Dos Anjos - Museum of Arts and Traditions

Dos Anjos – Museum of Arts and Traditions The big 5 Portuguese traditions, you will get to know the history and the process of producing the traditions. - Estimated Visit duration time is 45 minutes - Children under 12 years of age are not admitted - The visit is conducted and guided by an Audio-guide The opportunity to see, learn and feel the traditions of Portugal. Visit us.

8. 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
0%
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. ????

9. Galeria BELA 30

Rua Bela S Tiago 30, Funchal, Madeira 9060-400 Portugal +351 932 221 810 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Galeria-BELA-30--1656029264415573/?ref=m_notif&notif_t=photo_comment
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Galeria BELA 30

We are a small Fineartgallery with Familyflair we’re you can buy your Art directly from the Artists Wolfgang- and Anastasiya Lass . You will find Paintings on Canvas and Paper in all Technics and Sizes. You also can order any Type of Comissionwork here. We are the unique Gallery who produces traditional Portuguese Tiles and Pannels.

10. Museu Henrique e Francisco Franco

Rua Joao de Deus 13, Funchal, Madeira 9050-027 Portugal +351 291 211 090
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Museu Henrique e Francisco Franco

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.