Funchal Sports & Outdoors Tips by Jerelis Top 5 Page for this destination

Hiking - "Zona Velha", the Old Area.

Take time to meander - losing yourself in the maze of alleys, streets and lanes is one of the "Zona Velha", the Old Area's principal pleasures. Throughout the Zona Velha we saw the curious mixture of architectural styles left by the previous inhabitants of the islands - Venetians, British and French. The streets wind and wander with no discerrible order or object. Picturesque cobblestone alleyways are interspersed by statues, graceful churches, fountains and a great selection of local cafés where we had our lunch and by the end of the day had a nice cold beer.

The Zona Velha is about 500 years old. Because of its dependence of its defences and the mountains in the back, it was forced to develop within their narrow confines. The development in the area of this town, therefore, was very limited. So ... do meander, because the cluster of sights around Praça do Municipio are hearthclutchingly beautiful, but the more secret pleasures of the hushed backstreets are just entrancing. All this may seem very though as finding your way in Funchal might be difficult, but in really distances are short and the signs will help you in getting around. Enjoy!

Equipment: Have a look at our Funchal Packing List.

Theme: Hiking

Hiking - Our game plan strategy.

Most people try to rush Funchal on a budget so they end up missing some of the highlights in a whirlwind. The key to seeing Funchal properly is a game plan, you must know what you want to see before setting out. Before we visited Funchal we saw on a city map that the small town of Funchal is divided into three district areas - the historical downtown, the Marina / Funchal Promenade and the residential areas in the hills. We visited the city three times, every time we hiked our way through one of the districts.

Our first hike was the area where the city is built against the stunning backdrop of the magnificent hills. It was quite strenious, but definately worth while! We had some beautiful views at the city and saw a number of very charming little quintas. While most tour guides don't recommend getting lost in the hills, this part of Funchal is the place to get hopelessly lost for half a day. We wondered off through mysterious and steep alleyways leading us away from the crowds. We ended up at Quinta Vigia, Santa Catarina Park, Fortaleza do Pico, Quinta das Cruzes, mazes of hilly backstreets and deserted gardens. The real Funchal?

Equipment: Have a look at our Funchal Packing List.

Theme: Hiking

Hiking - The best way to explore Funchal.

The compact town of Funchal is easy to get around, and the ideal place to explore on foot. Funchal is Portugal, and yet it is a culture unto itself. Historical buildings to stroll around include the 15th century cathedral, numerous churches, elegant colonial houses and the charming cobbled streets reveal delights at every turn. Nature lovers will appreciate the rich array of tropical plants found throughout Funchal. Time to explore it!

We can honestly state that the best way to explore Funchal is by foot and the second best way is also by foot! Besides giving you the opportunity to roam the narrow streets and the cosy squares, it is the quickest way too. If you really want to, you can cross the city in approximately 45 minutes. Remember that sometimes it might be quicker (and nicer!) to take a few short-cuts into picturesque alleys instead of following the masses of tourists. Maybe this is easy for us to say as we stayed for a longer period of time and not like most of the tourists only for one day. But even when your stay is rather short, do try to get away from the crowds and just have a 'look around'. Funchal is simply a perfect place to walk for a few hours and pretending to know where you are.

Equipment: Have a look at our Funchal Packing List.

Theme: Hiking