Funchal – Planning a Half-Day Walking Tour
Shopping, Columbus Statue, Casino Park Hotel, Straight from the Ship
Apr 30, 2009
Organised cruise excursions have their advantages, but there are times when a half day walking tour of your own devising is just what is needed to walk down all that delicious food, work up an appetite for more, or keep the activities budget under control. Half a day won’t be enough to include Funchal’s historic centre, but there’s a lot to see and do within easy strolling distance of the gangway.
The walk could be done in the morning to be back in time for lunch if an afternoon organised excursion has been booked. It works just as well as a leisurely stroll after an on-board lunch if you’ve already taken a morning excursion. The weather could also be a factor in deciding when to go. Check the forecast to avoid the sometimes humid warmth, or possible showers.
The Molhe da Pontinha
This is the long breakwater or mole where the ship is likely to dock. It is about half a mile or one kilometre long and offers splendid views of Funchal’s magnificent bay, lively waterfront, and the half-moon of wooded hills behind the town. From the deck, map in hand, it’s possible to estimate how far the various attractions are from the ship’s berth, decide on priorities and pace yourself accordingly.
On the Molhe itself is a new terminal and shopping-centre-cum-market with many local specialities on offer. The choices may be more limited, but the thrifty can spend here what they save on the taxi fare into the town centre, then drop purchases back to the ship.
More to See Within a 30-Minute Walk of the Cruise Terminal
- Near the beginning of the Molhe is the bustling ferry terminal to Porto Santo (Madeira’s other island). People-watching here is a great way to get a feel for the island way of life.
- Where the Molhe joins the shore is a photogenic old fort with some terrific views both landward and seaward.
- Tucked into the curve where the Molhe meets the main road into town (Avenida da Carneiro) is a full-size replica of Columbus’s flag-ship, ‘Santa Maria’. Book early for a trip round the bay, and compare her statistics with the cruise ships around. Weighing in at 100 tons and about 100 feet long, she still made it across the Atlantic, with forty men on board.
- Bear right for the main cargo area, and enjoy a relaxing view of the comings and goings around this busy port.
- The attractive grounds and lake by the glitzy new Casino Park Hotel are only another 5 minutes away along the Avenida da Carneiro.
- Santa Catarina Park with its shady trees and tropical blooms is only 5 minutes further and has places to sit for a quiet moment or two. The mariners’ Chapel of Santa Catarina dates right back to the founding of Madeira. The present beautifully crafted building is late 17th century.
- One of Funchal’s most photographed attractions is also in Santa Catarina Park, a statue of Columbus himself.
There’s something very rewarding about planning your own walking tour. It’s not just that it’s good for the waistline and budget; it’s more about a personal feeling of discovery, something that Columbus would really have understood.
More about Madeira and Funchal Independent Excursion
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