Downtown Funchal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the Old City
Description
Wander along worn cobblestone roads, picturesque coastlines, and down alleyways filled with mystery on this self-guided walking tour through downtown Funchal. Along the way, you’ll see historical sites and the iconic Old Town known to locals as “Zona Velha”. You’ll visit Madeira’s only cathedral, the city’s oldest wine cellar, the Jesuit Church in all its splendor, Fort São Tiago, and other lesser-known, but equally worth landmarks. By the end of this tour, you’ll understand what all the fuss surrounding white gold was about, and the role Madeira played in the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. Highlights on this tour include: • Sé Cathedral • Mercado dos Lavradores • D'Oliveiras Wine Cellar • Fort São Tiago • CR 7 Museum • The Old City Ruins On this walk through downtown Funchal, meet the movers and shakers that transformed the city. Downloading the tour onto the VoiceMap app to enjoy the tour on location or virtually at home.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This self-guided audio tour starts outside the CR7 Museum.
The tour briefly stops outside the Sao Lourenco Palace. You'll hear about the palace before continuing on the walk.
The tour stops briefly next to a statue of Zarco. You'll learn a bit about who Zarco was and his connection to Funchal before continuing on the walk.
The tour stops briefly outside Sé Cathedral. You'll learn about the cathedral before continuing on the tour.
The tour passes by the São Luis de Tolosa Chapel. You'll stop outside the chapel briefly to hear about its history.
The tour stops briefly outside D'Oliveiras Madeira Wine Cellar. After hearing about the wine cellar, you'll have the opportunity to go in.
The tour passes by Fabrica de Santo Antonio. It's the oldest confectionery factory in Madeira.
The tour stops briefly outside the Farmers' Market, Mercado dos Lavradores. You'll learn about the market and then, if you wish, you can then enter the market and do some shopping.
The tour passes by Corpo Santo Chapel. It is one of the only buildings still standing from the 1400s.
The tour briefly stops at Fort São Tiago. You'll have the opportunity to go in, pause the tour and explore the fort. Commentary while in the fort is not included.
The tour briefly stops in front of the Sao Filipe Fort Ruines. You'll learn about the ruins before continuing on the tour.
The tour briefly stops in front of the City Gate Monument.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Reviews(8)
Excellent informative audio guide. I did have to check the navigation map a couple of times due to gps lag but the audio navigation prompts otherwise worked well. Recommended.
Really recommend. A great way to learn more about the city at your own pace, retaining the ability to stop along the way at places that interest you, and pick up where you left off when you're ready.
The walking tour was interesting & informative provided that we weren't walking in narrow built up streets at which point we lost GPS connection & found ourselves off route on several occasions having to guess the direction we should have been walking for ourselves. This was a little frustrating and took the edge off what otherwise was a good tour.
It was a great experience, clear information with special advice, I really enjoyed it, many thanks for this audio tour, I truly recommend!
We enjoyed seeing the Jesuit Church and parts of the Old Town. It would have been really helpful to have an outline map to start with as the commentator only said the names of the streets once.
An easy and informative tour that allows you to explore old Funchal at your own pace. Also enables you to quickly orienteer your way around the city, and after using this tour I was able to find my way around old Funchal without needing a map/guide. Great value. Do make sure you have downloaded the VoiceMap app and the route before you set off though.
Old Town Funchal is beautiful, and we really enjoyed the self-guided audio tour. We loved the waterfront, the amazing streets, the street with painted doors, and our lunch and dinner experiences. The tour took us a couple of hours, and was a great way to see the highlights.
