With many delightful courses, pure coastal breeze from the Atlantic ocean, great fresh gastronomy and fantastic weather conditions, the Funchal is a Golf Bliss for most golfers.
Portugal Golf - Funchal
Funchal History
Funchal population is approximately 140,000 and is the capital of the Madeira
Islands of Portugal. Funchal is also the largest city on the islands. It was
founded by Jo�o Gon�alves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city status by King
Manuel I in 1508.
Today Funchal is a modern city, located in a unique area; the natural geological
features form an "amphitheatre" surrounding the city, which begins at the
harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a
natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers.
Madeira's capital for more than five centuries, Funchal is said to have been
named as such because of the abundance of fennel (funcho - in portuguese) that
was growing there.
Part of Funchal Municipality is Ilhas Selvagens (Savage Islands ), one nature
reserve 160 km (100 mi) South of Funchal.
Funchal is bypassed by a superhighway to the north east and southwest which
accesses to Santa Cruz, the Madeira airport and Ribeira Brava. The best harbour
and the best climate combined with an excellent geographical position allowed
Funchal to have a rapid population growth.
The city can easily be explored by foot and no matter where your hotel is
located (as long as it is in the Funchal tourist area) you will find no
difficulty in walking into the city centre to delight at its sights and sounds.
Probably the most central point is the �S� Cathedral. Built between 1493 and
1514 by Gil Eanes it represents one of Madeira's
Nearby Funchal Locations of Interest
Botanical Gardens
Carrinho do Monte
Cathedral - S� do Funchal
Caves of S�o Vicente - (S�o Vicente)
Centre of Living Science - (Porto Moniz)
Chapel - Capela de Penha de Fran�a
Chapel - Capela de Santa Catarina
Chapel - Capela de S�o Nicolau - (C�mara de Lobos)
Church - Igreja do Col�gio (also Town Hall)
Convento de Santa Clara
Curral das Freiras - (Ribeira dos Socorridos)
Customs House
Forte de Santiago
Garden of Orchids
Garden - Jardim de Quinta da Boa Vista
Garden - Jardim de Quinta das Cruzes
Garden - Jardim de Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro
Garden - Jardim da Santa Catarina
Garden - Jardim de S�o Francisco
Home - Casa de Crist�v�o Colombo - (Porto Santo)
Home - Quinta Magn�lia
Home - Quinta Vigia
Island of Porto Santo
Nature Reserve of Madeira - (Porto Moniz)
Nature Reserve of Miradouro do Garajau - (Cani�o)
Nature Reserve of Ponta de S�o Louren�o - (Cani�al)
Nature Reserve of S�tio da Rocha do Navio - (Santana)
Pal�cio de S�o Louren�o
Paul da Serra
Pico do Areeiro - (Highest Point on Island)
The Deserted Islands
Funchal Information 291 211 000 - Town Hall 291 222 122 - Fire Brigade 291 757 303 - Police 291 416 656 - Transit Police 291 742 241 - Hospital 291 419 269 - Emergency Treatment 291 422 122 - Ambulance 291 225 658 - Tourist Office 291 966 300 - Airport 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists 112 - SOS
Funchal Beaches
There are so many lovely interesting sandy beaches in Funchal that you will
find amongst them a good selection on which to enjoy your holiday. Everyone has
their favourites and these are often hidden away from the more popular ones!
When you see the sign �Praia� this means in Portuguese �beach�.
List of Main Beaches
Praia do Areeiro
Praia da Barreirinha
Praia da Calheta
Praia das Cavacas
Praia do Clube Naval do Funchal
Praia da Fontinha
Praia da Formosa
Praia do Funchal
Praia Galo Mar
Praia do Governador
Praia da Lage
Praia Lido
Praia da Madelena do Mar
Praia da Marina do Funchal
Praia Nova
Praia das Palmeiras
Praia de Ponta do Sol
Praia de Porto Moniz
Praia de Porto Santo
Praia da Prainha
Praia da Ribeira Brava
Praia da Ribeira do Faial
Portugal Golf
291 211 000 - Town Hall
