Funchal: Hotels & Evening Entertainment

Things to do during the day

• The Mercado dos Lavradores, the farmers' market in the centre of Funchal, was inaugurated on 24 November 1940. Its facade, main door and fishmonger's hall are decorated with tile panels from that year. Visit Madeira lists it as open from Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays.²
• Funchal Cathedral has been classified as a National Monument since 1910. It was completed by the early 16th century in the Manueline and Gothic styles, and its ceiling is worked in cedar from the island.³
• The Madeira Botanical Garden, created in 1960, covers about eight hectares and holds more than 2000 exotic plants, with viewpoints over the city.⁴
• The Funchal Cable Car runs from the Old Town to the parish of Monte in 15 minutes, climbing 560 metres with views over the city and the sea.⁵
• The Monte sledges, wicker and wood sledges steered by two drivers, date from the 19th century. The ride from Monte towards Funchal is two kilometres long and takes about 10 minutes.⁶
• Blandy's Wine Lodge, the headquarters of the Madeira Wine Company, can be visited on a tour of its tasting rooms, warehouses and ageing rooms. The same family has run the business since 1811.⁸
• The city's calendar includes the Flower Festival in spring, the Atlantic Festival with music and fireworks by the sea throughout June, and the Wine Festival between late August and early September.¹

Evening ideas

• Casino da Madeira is open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays. It is closed on 24 and 25 December.^{10, 13}
• Copacabana, the nightclub at the casino, opens from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays. Garden, in the casino gardens, is an open-air space with DJs and occasional concerts.¹²
• Restaurante Bahia, on the fourth floor of the casino with a panoramic view over Funchal, opens on selected dates for dinner shows.¹¹
• Visit Madeira describes the city's nightlife as lively all year round, with bars, nightclubs, rooftops and restaurants, including the bars of Funchal Downtown.⁹

Restaurants and bars

• Among the traditional dishes that Visit Madeira highlights in Funchal are skewers grilled on a laurel branch, black scabbardfish, limpets and the bread known as bolo do caco.⁸
• Restaurante Rio, on the gaming room level of the casino, serves dinner and late meals in an informal setting. It opens at 7 p.m. and closes at 3 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and at 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays.¹¹
• Panorâmico, a restaurant of the Pestana Casino Park hotel, serves a daily themed buffet with views of the sea. Dinner runs from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.¹⁵
• Il Gallo d'Oro, listed by Visit Madeira among the restaurants of Funchal, holds two Michelin stars under chef Benoît Sinthon.⁸

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