Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Funchal, Portugal: Is Funchal a good snowbird location?

The city of Funchal is the capital of Portugal's Madeira Archipelago and is often referred to as the "Flower City" for its scenic beauty. It is famous for its harbors, colorful gardens, and Madeira wine cellars. The city is backed by hills and is home to the historic Gothic Romanesque Infrastructure. It has also served as a fortress built in the 1600s which entails greater historic significance. Bordered by the islands and offering almost all the resorting amenities, Funchal is the place to be for a wonderful winter escape.

Where is Funchal, Portugal Located

Madeira

Funchal, Portugal Map

Why should people visit during the winter?

Madeira's archipelago has always served its visitors with the best resorting destinations. The Flower City has pleasant weather all year-round and provides snowbirds with countless options to spend winters in peace and tranquility. There is so much to see in this small city that you can never run out of places to explore. From fascinating food choices and rich history to the lush botanical gardens, Funchal is unquestionably one of the most beautiful cities of Madeira.

Climate

Gibraltar is located above sea-level and has a temperate climate overall. It experiences cool and mild winters with an ample amount of rainy days which are quite unpredictable. The average temperature stays around 10°C - 18°C (50°F - 64°F) in winters. It is quite comfortable in general but traveling with an umbrella is essential.

For more climate information visit Meteoblue

Things to see in Funchal, Portugal

Funchal is a popular tourist location with many places worth visiting. Some of the best ones are listed below:

• Portugal's CR7 Museum: It is that time where almost everybody is familiar with the term "CR7", a nickname given to one of the greatest players in football history. Visit this museum to find out about the great exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese icon. 
• Santa Catarina Park: The Park offers many species of flora from around the globe to the nature lovers with an enchanting lake with a small island as well. The park also offers stunning views of the Funchal Bay and has several walking paths too. The Park is a perfect place for a picnic or just relax there for a while. There are playgrounds, art rooms for children as well as sculptures of famous personalities.
• Monte Palace Madeira: The Palace has an exotic plant collection and is famous for the black swans in the central lake and ponds of the Palace. The Monte Palace Madeira Museum with three floors in which the top two are dedicated to the contemporary Zimbabwean sculptures and others. The lower floor is dedicated to the finest private collection of minerals from all around the world. The lower floor goes by the name of "Mother Nature's Secrets".
• Funchal Cathedral: The finest example of the Roman-Gothic architecture, it is one of the few examples of the 15th century which have survived till date. You can visit the church to say your prayers or to just simply witness this historical masterpiece.
• Rua De Santa Maria: It has been recommended as one of the most romantic narrow cobbled streets. Rua De Santa Maria is the oldest street in the city. The street is home to many buildings of traditional architecture. The cafes and restaurants are decorated with typical art as well as traditional interiors. One of the notable things in the street would be the entrances and doors of various restaurants, cafes, or buildings in the street.

Things to see not far from the Funchal, Portugal

There are many neighboring towns and places in the surrounding areas that one can visit.

• Praia de Machico: Visit this beach in Machico and enjoy a nice sunny day on the beach with lots of water activities to get involved in or you just go on for a nice swim. There are also lots of restaurants nearby for a quick bite. The beach is located 24 km (15 Miles) from Funchal.
• Pico Ruivo: It is the highest peak located in Madeira and it is only accessible by foot. Different trails lead to different parts of the island. Once you reach the top, you will be blown away by the views of the mountain ranges and the atmosphere. It is located 51 km (32 Miles) from Funchal.
• Maisons typiques de Santana: It is a cultural site which features quaint, thatched roof-dwellings. The site is about an hour and a half drive due to its cultural significance and you can also buy the locally made products from there as souvenirs. It is located 41.7 km (26 Miles) from Funchal. 
• Parque Florestal das Queimadas: A beautiful picnic spot and national park which is an epitome of tranquility. You will also get the opportunity to observe the magnificent flora of the Laurisilva Forest. You can also find the Santana house styled Queimadas shelter house with its beautiful shelter in particular. It is located 45.2 km (28 Miles) from Funchal.

Activities in Funchal, Portugal in the fall, winter, or spring

There are several activities you can participate in during your visit to Funchal. Some of these include:

• Visit Rua De Santa Maria: Visit the oldest and the most beautiful street in the city filled with magnificent art.                
• Walking tour of the city: You can take a walking tour of the city with a tour guide to watch the beautiful and historic Roman-Gothic infrastructure of the city and taste the delicacies.
• Scuba Diving: Discover the beautiful marine life underwater with a large and uninterrupted coastline. Visit Nautilus Dive Center Inc. for diving gear, rentals, and lessons as well as gear repairs.
• Pico Ruivo: Visit the highest peak of Madeira and witness one of the most spectacular views from the top on a pleasant day.
• Hiking: Visit Pico Ruivo and similar attractions for hiking.
• Spa & Fitness Clubs: There are various health clubs nearby along with spas and you can visit these clubs to have quality time as well as get involved in activities beneficial for health like yoga too.
• Fishing: You can visit multiple charters available in Madeira for fishing.
• Golf: Spend a nice day golfing in the Palheiro Golf Club and nearby golf clubs in town.
• Visit the Beaches: Visit Praia de Machico and similar beaches to spend a nice day by getting involved in water activities and visit the restaurants nearby for a quick bite.
• Monte Palace Madeira: Visit this place to discover the beautifully detailed contemporary Zimbabwean sculptures and one of the rarest minerals across the globe.
• Black Swans: Black swans are one of the rarest ones of their kind. You can find them in Santa Catarina Park and Monte Palace Madeira. They are surely a pretty sight.
• Boat Tours: Take boat tours for an amazing experience along the Atlantic Ocean.
• Night Market: Attend the Night Market on 23^rd December held at Funchal Farmer's Market where the market and the streets are overrun by the people who sing and dance as well as eat festively.

Shopping + Restaurants. Are they open in the fall, winter, or spring?

You can find a lot of fresh produce markets in Funchal such as Mercados Dos Lavradores. The vendors gather at the marketplace from 8 AM to 7 PM from Monday to Thursday from 7 AM to 8 PM on Friday and, from 7 AM to 2 PM on Saturday. You can find a great variety of freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce. You can also get fresh meat and seafood from the market. You will find a great variety of artwork, flowers as well as local spices from the market too. You should also attend the Night Market on 23^rd December held at Funchal Farmer's Market where the market and the streets are overrun by the people who sing and dance as well as eat festively.

There is no particular dish belonging to Funchal but you should not miss the chance to try out the cuisine of Madeira. If you want to try the cookies, go for the Broas de Mel, a traditional Portuguese cookie hailing from Madeira. For dessert, try out the oldest dessert of the island, Bolo de Mel, it is a cake made with honey, almonds, walnut, cinnamon, and other spices. If you are a beef lover, you must check the Espatada, these are big pieces of beef marinated in salt and garlic, skewed on a bay leaf stick, and then placed over hot coals until the meat is properly cooked. Verdelho, a traditional Portuguese grape used in wines must be tasted as the wines of Madeira are popular.

Transport

Madeira International Airport is located directly on the island and it is located 21 km (13 Miles) from Funchal. There are various airport shuttle services and aero bus services available which you can use and you can also take a taxi or a bus to reach the airport or get to your residence from the airport.

There is a Horarios do Funchal public bus service which provides transportation services to the commuters in and around the city. The SAM (Aerobus Service) provides transport services from the airport to Funchal. If you just want to travel within the city, Rodoeste (minibus) option would be more suitable. If you want to take a cab, there are AITRAM taxis available as well.

There are no train stations nearby in the cities which would connect to Madeira, but there is a Porto Santo Line ferry service that can be used to travel to Santo Porto Island or other places.

Health

In Funchal, public and private health facilities are located in the town and are easily accessible. The health sector is perfectly suitable for anyone who walks in with a problem. 24/7 emergency is available in hospitals. Emergency cases are handled well and you can find some of the most significant healthcare centers mentioned below:

• Centro de Saude do Porto da Cruz: Public health care services (www.sesaram.pt)
• Madeira Dental Center: Dental care services (www.madeiradentalcenter.business.site)

Accommodation

There are several rental companies present in Funchal whether you're looking for an apartment, cottage, or villa. Some of the most popular organizations that are commonly used include:

• Homeaway (www.homeaway.com)
• Rentalia.com (www.rentalia.com)
• Idealista (www.idealista.pt)
• Airbnb (www.airbnb.com/) is also available in case you are looking for a more customized offer.

These prominent websites along with others connect you to the local real estate agents in Funchal. With the right research, you can easily find a nice, small place with rates starting from €375 (approx. $415, £316, $564 CAD, $619 AUD)/month.