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Guide
Funchal, Portugal 🇵🇹
#1892
,
Nomad Score:
77%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Funchal is the capital city of Madeira, known for its beautiful landscapes, mild climate, and vibrant culture. |
👥 Population | Approximately 112,000. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include MEO, NOS, and Vodafone. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Santander Totta and Caixa Geral de Depósitos; Revolut is also widely accepted. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and hostels. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Madalenas is a budget-friendly option. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old Town (Zona Velha) is highly recommended for tourists. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The city center, particularly near Avenida do Mar. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Nexus Coworking Space, located in the city center with great amenities. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café London, known for its good coffee and reliable Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups at the Madeira Digital Nomads Facebook group. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Weekly social gatherings at various bars and restaurants. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are operational in Funchal. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | FunchalBike offers bicycle rentals for exploration. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia Formosa is the closest beach, about 10 minutes away. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | SATA Azores Airlines for regional travel. |
✈️ Top International Airline | TAP Air Portugal for international flights. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Access to main roads such as the VR1. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Not applicable; Funchal has no train service but buses are available. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Single tickets, day passes, and monthly passes for local bus services. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses, taxis, and car rentals for visiting nearby towns. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Luz do Yoga and Moinhos de Vento are popular wellness studios. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Club Funchal and the Complexo Balnear do Lido. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lavanderia da Cidade offers laundry services throughout Funchal. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Glovo for food delivery services. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Espetada (skewered beef) is a must-try dish. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green Room and Vegan Food House for plant-based meals. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Fábrica do Queijada da Madeira for traditional Madeira cakes. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado dos Lavradores offers fresh produce and local goods. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local e-commerce sites include Madeira Shopping and Mais Madeira. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Pingo Doce and Continente offer online ordering and delivery. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Avenida do Mar is popular for nightlife and bars. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Madeira Brewing Company offers tastings and tours. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Experience Madeira wine at Bar do Mercado. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks along Praia Formosa beach. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants serving Italian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine are available. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Sé Cathedral and the Botanical Garden. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Madeira Story Centre and CR7 Museum celebrate local culture. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Fortaleza do Pico and Quinta das Cruzes offer rich history. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Igreja de São João Evangelista is notable. |
🎉 Annual Events | Madeira Flower Festival in April is a highlight. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Old Town (Zona Velha) features local art and history. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal de Funchal hosts various performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado dos Lavradores is a vibrant cultural spot. |
🎼 Music Scene | Live music is prevalent in many cafes and bars. |
🎨 Street Art | Graffiti and murals can be seen throughout the Old Town. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking classes available at Mercado dos Lavradores. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria de Arte Sagrado exhibits local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palácio de São Lourenço and colonial architecture are notable. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Madeira wine culture is an important symbol. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Levada walks and the Laurisilva Forest nearby offer stunning hikes. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Madeira Natural Park features incredible biodiversity. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Madeira offers various levada walks suitable for all levels. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cabo Girão skywalk provides breathtaking views. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Rabaçal offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated barbecue areas in various parks like Queimadas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and CTT (Postal Service) provide delivery options. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechElectronics offers repair services throughout Funchal. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have tables available for use. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Centro de Línguas offers Portuguese language classes. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal de Funchal is great for studying. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Various community centers host cultural events and classes. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Check out local cafes for gaming nights. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino da Madeira is popular for gaming and entertainment. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €264,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 21%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 28%. |
🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rates based on income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 48%. |
🧾 VAT | 23% standard rate. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to income generated abroad. |
🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation based on tax value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate during property purchases. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Non-habitual residents can benefit from reduced tax rates. |