What to do in Funchal for free – part one

What to do in Funchal (for free)

No matter if you are or not an Erasmus student, when going to Madeira, you should definitely visit even its capital Funchal. Do not expect a large city, as its size is selfsame like the rest of the island. When you will be arriving from the airport, you will get to a point on a road from where is an astonishing, breathtaking and really welcoming view of the whole city. Funchal seems to be really huge, however, it is caused by many houses. Usually families have their own building, so that is why, but there are also some that live in apartments in some blocks of flats. The second reason is that there are mountains all around. So Funchal uses any possible places in different areas and it makes it look really large. In fact, the central part of the city can be seen within a day (when rushing). But that is not exactly what people would like to do when being on holiday, or when spending there half or even the whole year as an Erasmus student. So, let us see what I find worth visiting.

Fortaleza Sao Tiago

This is a fort which history starts back in the 17thcentury (1614). You can get inside and climb to the highest floor from where you might have a lovely view of the ocean. Although, there is an entrance fee (should be less than 5 EUR). There is also a restaurant inside of the complex, so when going there to eat, the entrance does not have to be paid. However, honestly, you can enjoy this fort even from outside without entering. Moreover, there is a beach right next to it.

Picture: Forteleza Sao Tiago

What happened to me was that I entered once when I was just going back to the students’ dormitory, which is just next to Fortaleza Sao Tiago. I did not know it was paid, and they let me in without stopping me. So I enjoyed the view and visited also a gallery/museum which was located in the highest floor. When I was leaving, the doorkeeper thanked me and smiled. However, later on I saw some tourists who wanted to enter but they were told there was the entrance fee.

What is interesting: its yellow colour sometimes falls down. You should be careful not to touch it. Moreover, if you touch it, it might colour your clothes. So even if you are going to a beach (made of concrete), I do not recommend you lean on it.

Barreirinha

If you ascend stairs just in front of Fortaleza Sao Tiago, not only you will get to the university dormitory (where usually tuk-tuks with tourists stops – I still do not know for what reason – and a guide says what is written on its gate: “This is a students’ dormitory”) but I am also giving you a tip to turn right and walk up some 200 metres. You will get to the Barreirinha bar. This bar puts some tables with chairs on the pavement and some mats on a wall where you can sit and relax. You will get a great view of the Atlantic Ocean again. I would even say that the view from here is better than from the fort. This bar usually organises music events during some evenings and the area gets very busy. During the day, it is also quite full of people but not that many (and tourist usually do not visit this beautiful place).

This area is a public area, so it is not compulsory to go to the bar. You can just walk there or enjoy being in the place in such a stone arbour. Also, when coming or leaving, you can see or visit a churchwhich makes this place even more picturesque. Imagine that every night it lights up its tower.

Picture: Everything is so close - Fortaleza, Barreirinha, the church, the dormitory

Rua Santa Maria

Now, I will take you to the most popular street of whole Funchal. The street is called Rua Santa Maria and it is in Zona Velha (Old Zone). To get there you just have to go straight and you are in. This zone is a favourite place for tourists because of a project Arte Portas Abertas (Art of Open Doors) in the Santa Maria street. Not only that, it is also full of restaurants. You might walk through the street once and get 20 invitations for choosing this and that restaurant as a spot for your lunch break.

Today, it is a very popular and quite safe street, but in the past, this zone was one of the worst and most dangerous in the whole city. As I have commented, it is quite safe nowadays, but still, it is not recommended to walk through this zone alone during very late nights. I have experienced a very uncomfortable situation twice in this zone but luckily, in both cases kept safe.

Picture: Zona Velha

The project Art of Open Doors presents different pictures painted on doors of the street. Those pictures are connected with a culture from Madeira, or there are some pictures connected with the house. For example, a house where is a shop with shoes, there is a picture connected with shoes. When walking through this street you might think there is no more space for painting. However, there is and the project is still in a process. So if you have an artistic heart and would like to contribute, you might apply. But, of course, the application process takes some time. My Portuguese friend (Miss) Mafalda was so lucky that when passing through the street she saw a lady painting the door. As Mafalda studies design, she stopped and watched that with an interest. The lady spotted her and offered her to help a little bit. So when you will be walking through these streets, you can try to find a door of the shop with shoes where a Princess’ room is painted.

Picture: Art of Open Door

If you are reading this article with a status of an Erasmus student who lives in the dormitory, I recommend you walking through different streets back home when going back from the university or Pingo (Anadia - shopping centre with a supermarket Pingo where you probably do or will buy food). It is really overcrowded and carrying a heavy purchase while trying to zigzag between tourists and restaurant tables is not the most comfortable thing. The same is when you are tired from the whole day at school and then you cannot pass through.

If you really want to enjoy the art, just get to this street in the morning before all restaurants open. If you get there between 8 and 9 in the morning (or earlier), it should be still calm.

Is that all?

I told you Funchal is not that huge, but do not worry. There are still much more to explore. I will present other beautiful places step by step. So you can visit them and really enjoy.

Picture: There are still much to explore! Go outside.

How much is it?

As the title says, these things can be done for free. You do not have to go inside of the fort to enjoy the feeling of its history.

You do not have to drink coffee for getting an astonishing view in Barreirinha  (though, Madeirienses drink coffee even 5 times per day).

You do not have to eat in a restaurant to admire art pieces on the door.

So what are you waiting for? Put your shoes on and go outside! I am wondering what door will become your favourite!

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