Funchal is an ancient and beautiful city with ancient palaces, squares, modern hotels, shops, which stretches along the coast. It is the administrative center of the island Madeira. The city itself is famous for its numerous botanical gardens, the most popular among them is the Monte Garden with a palace on the territory, where you can climb the funicular, admiring the picturesque surroundings of the “green island” along the way.
In Funchal, everything is simple: either you look at the city from below, from the ocean and see the labyrinth of its almost vertical streets, or from above, from the mountain, and then admire view of orange roofs scattered on the rocks. Then the ocean will be like a bright blue frame on a photograph of the city.
Funchal is also flowers. There are a lot of them, huge flower beds intoxicate the head and delight the eye from dawn to dusk.
Funchal is ships of all sizes and colors, large, small and huge, they enter the port at dawn to go further after sunset.
Funchal is the ocean. Endless, blue, beautiful, bewitching, it washes the island from all sides, creating solitude from the bustle of the world. The ocean is clear and transparent - the bottom is visible everywhere, so the island Madeira is a great place to relax at any time of the year, as the water temperature and the air is mostly 20-25º.
To admire the versatility of Funchal, you need to rent a caron the site Bookingautos and go to the fascinating travel around the island.
Madeira International Airport Funchal is one of the major international airports in Portugal after Lisbon. It is located 16 km from Funchal, in the village of Santa Catarina in the municipality of Santa Cruz.
Funchal has university that graduates qualified specialists, moreover, education is also available for foreigners.
What to see in Funchal
Funchal has many places with natural and cultural attractions that attract travelers.
1. Cathedral. The Catholic cathedral in the Gothic style, it has been perfectly preserved to our days. This temple was consecrated in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin, and to this day the building has retained its austere appearance, and the high bell tower with a spire, which is located nearby, too. It is not so much the architecture of the temple that strikes the imagination, but its interior decoration: high ceilings made of noble cedar, decorated with intricate carvings, an altar with sculptures of saints and apostles.
2. Funchal Botanical Garden in Madeira has been bringing travelers from all over the world together for decades. Exotic plants and animals live on the territory of this amazing place, which can be called an amazing work of landscape gardening art. The botanical garden is located on a hillside, offering amazing panoramic views of the city and the ocean. The garden is shady and cool, which makes it comfortable to visit even during the hottest time of the day. About 2500 exotic plants grow here, collected from all over the world.
3. Funicular in Funchal is the city's most famous attraction. A cable car connects the city center with Mount Monti. It has 41 cabins and takes you from Funchal to Monti in 11 minutes, from where you can admire wonderful views of the bay and the valleys of Funchal. On Mount Monti there is a statue of Saint Barbara the Guardian. Here you can also visit the Monti palace complex itself, the tropical and botanical gardens.
4. Monte Palace and Tropical Garden is a landmark in Madeira, which is not natural, but man-made. In the Monte Tropical Garden, rare plants from all over the world grow for this climatic zone. In addition, two very beautiful artificial lakes were created and populated with fish in the Monte garden. The three-storey Monte Palace deserves special attention. Today, within its walls there is a museum, on two floors of which sculptures are exhibited, and on the third - a collection of minerals from different parts of the world.
Where to go around Funchal
After admiring the unique views of Funchal, you can rent a car and go to other amazing corners of Madeira Island.
For example, you will go to the west, where you can enjoy natural beauty, explore deep valleys and visit traditional fishing villages. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Cabo Girão Skywalk.
Cabo Girãois a high sea rock that is located along the south coast of the island Madeira. Cabo Girão has a popular viewpoint that is visited daily by tthousands of tourists, it is the starting point point in tourist routes.
The volcanic pools of Porto Moniz are located 50 km from Funchal. The lava pools at Porto Moniz are the best place to swim in all of Madeira. For the sake of them, it is definitely worth going to a small port town in the north-west of the island.
Food in Funchal
Madeira is primarily a fish island. Cuisine features:
traditional Madeira fish dish - swordfish;
traditional side dish Milho Frito, which can be served with almost any meat or fish dish on the island;
meat), which is served on a vertically fixed skewer. A plate is placed below, on it you need to put a Milho Frito side dish or french fries - this way the side dish will absorb the juice flowing from the meat. A very tasty dish for meat lovers;
traditional fruit - passion fruit, there are several dozen varieties of this fruit, which differ greatly both in shape and taste;
traditional alcoholic drink - Madeira, this a fortified wine of golden amber or darker color, which, by its name, made the island famous.
Casa Madeirense Restaurant - restaurant with traditional Madeiran food, with a strong fish bias, all kinds of fresh fish are offered.
Beef & Wines is a meat restaurant in the center of Funchal.
Address: Av. do Infante 60A, 9000-015 Funchal, phone +351963041993.
Where to park in Funchal
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Hertz
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€189
February
€127
March
€131
April
€147
May
€174
June
€224
July
€233
August
€254
September
€165
October
€126
November
€114
December
€152
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Funchal in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Funchal is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €25 for a Compact car.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Mercedes CLA is €73per day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Funchal you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
The cost of renting a car in Funchal depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of Ford Fiesta or another budget car in the spring will cost about €25 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €14. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Mercedes CLA, Audi A4 Estate, VW Tiguan will be on average €28-€52. In Funchal convertible rental price starts from €73. Luxury cars can be rented for €137, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
In recent years in Funchal the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Audi-E-tron in Funchal by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Your guide to rent a car in Funchal
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book in advance
Funchal is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Toyota Aygo or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Funchal.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Audi A4 Estate will cost €37 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Funchal may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Funchal, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Funchal, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Funchal, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Funchal is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Funchal - Downtown
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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