In the 15th Century when the Portuguese settlers arrived on Madeira they were struck by the abundance of fennel (in Portuguese funcho) growing

wildly and so named their first colony Funchal

This picturesque city has a horseshoe shaped backdrop of verdant mountains rich in colourful subtropical vegetation that look out onto the Atlantic Ocean

It has remained the capital of Madeira for the last five hundred years and today has its own international airport and serves as a popular

The Travel Magazine August 2014

destination for several cruise ships

MUST VISIT

Funchal Market is a busy noisy colourful covered market in the centre of Funchal As you enter the market you will be enticed by the variety of fresh fish tropical fruits spices colourful fl owers and local crafts Get there early ndash preferably as it opens at 7am ndash when the market is buzzing with fishermen cutting chunks of tuna on marble slabs fruit sellers spreading numerous passion fruit varieties (such as maracujaacute banana ndash banana passion fruit) on their stalls and ladies in traditional costumes

preparing flower arrangements using the local agapanthus and heliconias If you are looking for local delicacies to take home with you look out for Madeira wine or bolo de mel (Madeira honey cake)

The narrow cobbled Rua de Santa Maria is the oldest street in Funchal dating back to 1430 When the heavy storms in February 2010 severely damaged the old town including the Rua de Santa Maria the municipality launched the project Art Open Doors in order to revitalise the area They invited local artists to paint the doors in the street and the result is a vibrant colourful artistic street full of shops

bars and restaurants

MUST SEE THE VIEW

To get the best view of Funchal take the cable car to the Monte Village The 15 minute journey takes you 560 meters high above the city with a 360ordm panoramic view of Funchal and

Travel Guide24 Hours in Funchal

Cable Car

By Martino Matijevic Despite being over 500 years old and the capital of Madeira Funchal is compact enough to be seen in a day Here are some of the must see and dos

The Travel Magazine August 2014

the Atlantic OceanPrice euro10 one way euro15 return

Tip take the cable car up and toboggan ride (see below) and walk back down to the city

Monte Village was built in 1565 as a summer refuge for Funchalrsquos aristocracy Constructed in 1741 the Church of Our Lady of the Monte is the resting place of Charles I the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire If you climb to the bell tower terrace yoursquoll get a spectacular view of Funchal

MUST DO

From the foot of the Church of Our Lady of the Monte you can take a thrilling two kilometre 10 minute ldquotoboggan riderdquo to Funchal In the mid-19th Century this was a fast way for the rich inhabitants of Monte to descend to Funchal The wicker sledg-es are now used to transport tourists quickly along the same streets The sledges are propelled by two men in white clothes a straw hat and boots

with thick rubber soles

Price euro25 for one person euro30 for a couple euro40 for three people

Tip Taxis waiting at the bottom of the ride will charge you 3 or 4 times what the normal price would be to take you to Funchal city centre Instead take the bus or walk (itrsquos a 20 min leisure-ly downhill stroll)

MUST EAT

A good choice for homemade traditional food in Funchal in a friendly and relaxed atmos-phere is Ven-da da Donna Maria in Rua da Santa Maria street

For the start-er try bolo do caco hot bread

with garlic and parsley lapas grilled limpets with garlic and lemon or pica-dos cubes of beef steak in sauce served with fries For the main dish go for the espetada skewers of beef rubbed with salt and garlic and grilled on bay leaves Madeira being an island fish lovers will not be disap-pointed and should try the local specialty swordfish with fried banana (espada com banana) Traditional Madeira desert is the deli-cious passion fruit mousse (pudim de maracujaacute)

Useful Links

For more information on Madeira visit madeiraruralcomFor a list of activities in and around Funchal visit madeiraoutdoorcomen

wwwthetravelmagazinenettravel-guide-24-hours-funchal-madeirahtml

Door in Rua de Santa Maria

Toboggan RideAll images copy Martino Matijevic