Attractions
Frederico de Freitas Museum
Named for the Madeiran lawyer who amassed the fascinating collections on display as a hobby, the Frederico de Freitas Museum in Funchal houses a vast array of decorative Turkish, Moorish and North African tiles, as well as about 2,000 mugs, trophies and vases. Besides these highlights the de Freitas collection also includes Madeiran artefacts, porcelain pieces, religious sculptures, ancient sacred paintings and Chinese and North African metal and woodwork. The museum is a treasure trove for antique lovers.
Address: Calçada de Santa Clara, 7;
Telephone: 91 220 578;
Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 12.30pm, and 2pm to 6pm
Sao Vicente Caves
Beside the river at Pe de Passo are the Sao Vicente Caves, a series of lava tubes left after an eruption that occurred about 400,000 years ago. These volcanic tunnels extend for about 3,281ft (1,000m) and can be explored on a 30-minute tour. The caves feature formations like lava cakes, volcanic stalactites and erratic blocks and give a sense of walking through the bowels of the earth.
Telephone: 291 842 404;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 9pm (until 7pm in winter);
Admission: €8 (adults), concessions €6
Cable Car
One of the favourite diversions in Madeira’s capital, Funchal, is to ride the cable car from the Parque Almirante Reis in the old part of the town up to the scenically beautiful village of Monte in the mountains above the city. The journey takes about 15 minutes and ends at the cableway station near the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.Cathedral In the heart of the historic part of Funchal stands the Cathedral, or Sé, which is the most impressive of Madeira’s religious edifices. From outside the simple rough white stucco and brownish basalt is not all that impressive, but after entering through the Gothic portal there is plenty to admire. The ceiling, for instance, is Moorish carved cedar inlaid with ivory, and behind the Baroque altar are paintings by Flemish and Portuguese artists.
Address: Rua do Aljube;
Telephone: 291 228 155;
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 7am to 1pm, and 4pm to 7pm; Sundays 8am to 8.30pm;
Admission: Free; donation suggested
Whale Museum
On the East coast of the island of Madeira, in the little fishing village of Canical, the Whale Museum chronicles the rise and fall of the whaling industry that was a vital part of the island’s economy for many decades, right up until 1982. The exhibits include photographs, hunting implements, a life-size whale model, a fishing boat, and objects carved by local fishermen from the bones and teeth of whales.
Telephone: 91 961 407;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 12pm, and 1pm to 6pm;
Admission: €2
