Cheap Car Hire Funchal

Have Fun to Your Trip to the 'Green Island'

Welcome to the green island of Madeira and its capital, Funchal.  You will find the capital of this Portuguese island in the south and the meaning of its name is “fennel” due to the fact that when the Portuguese discovered this island- the furthest part of the island was overgrown with fennel.  You will also find on the sunny south coast the biggest areas of cultivation.  The north side of the island is cooler and wetter and the mountainous and volcanic countryside looks untamed. For this reason it is sometimes only reachable on foot.       

Funchal possesses a harbour that was, as it is today an important transhipment point for the export of sugar and wine that is largely cultivated all over the island.  For those of you on the Avenida do Mar where the yacht harbour is located, will be spoilt for choice with restaurants and is ideal for a pleasant walk.  In addition you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea from the harbour walls.

In Funchal you will find the most museums and historical buildings of the island as well as quite a number of restaurants, shops and hotels.

The city is divided into 3 areas:  In the west you will find the tourist zone with lots of hotels, in the east the old town “Zone Velha” where you will find many former fishing houses.  Here, you will also find the historic centre of Funchal where stately homes from the 18th century with their wonderful courtyards are located.  Due to the decorated black doorways and the cobbled-stone streets and in general the splendour of the buildings- Funchal is often called “Little Lisbon” The central area of Funchal is the inner city that is characterised by its shops and historic buildings.All 3 city districts of the city are connected via the harbour promenade „Avendia do Mar“.         

Sites Worth Seeing!

You should definitely not miss out on a visit to the cathedral „Largo de Se” that was built in 1514- one of the few buildings that has remained unchanged since the time of colonisation.  The artistic ceilings and the choir stalls are particular highlights.  In the “Museum de Arte Sacra”- you can admire paintings, embroidered clothing and statues- that Madeira’s traders gave as a thank you for the wealth that came from the sugar trade. The museum that is housed in a former episcopal palace displays lots of examples.      

The easiest way to get to “Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro” is in your hired car.  This is the most beautiful park in Madeira and a paradise for all those of you that love flowers.  The park was arranged in the 18th century by a French landscape gardener for the Count of Carvalhal.  The romantic presence of the park is completed with the old manor house and the small baroque chapel.  You can also see a variety of wild animals that feel at home in the middle of this tropical wilderness.    

Relax and Enjoy the Botanical Garden

Well recommended is a trip in your rental car to the “Jardim Botanico”- an artistic garden.  The Botanical Garden that was designed in 1960 has plants from all the corners of the world.  Next to the indigenous dracaena trees are South African proteas, orchids and desert cacti.  Particularly pretty is the colourful and artistically arranged bedding plants. 

 In Funchal the “Mercado dos Lavradores” is a permanent feature that will give you an insight into the Portuguese way of life.  You will find the market runs from Monday to Saturday and is situated in a three storey market hall.  Don’t miss out on the chance to admire the delicacies from across Madeira.  Farmers, fishermen, basket weavers and flower arrangers from the whole island sell their products at the „Mercado dos Lavradores“.           

A Combination of Tantalising Tastes and Amazing Aromas

For those of you that are wine lovers, you will definitely be at home at the „Adegas de Sao Francisco“- a wine cellar from the 17th century.  The stone cobbled interior courtyard is filled with the smell of old wood and the characteristic of the island- “Madeira” (wine) of course it is possible to taste the wines.  Young wines as well as wines that are more than 150 years old are given out to try.  During a tour through the wine cellar you will go into the warmer rooms where the Madeira is brought through hot water pipes for “cooking”    

For those of you that still have the desire to visit museums- then we recommend that you go to the „Fortaleza de Sao Tiago“- a museum for contemporary art.  You will find this museum in the middle of a fortress that has a maze of corridors and lots of stairs!

In your hired car you can drive everywhere independently and discover this beautiful island without having to rely on public transport!