Funchal Entertainment

There's plenty to do in Funchal, with activities ranging from water sports and beach activities, to fine dining and local cuisine. Seasonal festivals give locals and visitors alike a chance to celebrate and enjoy one another's company. Fine wine is for sale at several outlets on the island, and many visitors take a bottle home as a souvenir.

Eating out

Many of the city's eateries and restaurants are located on Estrada Monumental and Santa Maria. Visitors will be pleased with the culinary range available, stretching from local Portuguese fare to greater European and even Chinese cuisine. Any budget can be accommodated among the variety of restaurants represented here.

Some restaurants in this area include Casa Madeirense, Arsnio's and La Paella, all of which offer Portuguese dining in its natural, local context. There are however a much wider range of restaurants to be found across the town, in nearly every sector.

Local cuisine

There's no shortage of good food in Funchal, though tourists often pay a hefty price for local cuisine. Due to the abundance of seafood as well as the region's fertile soil, traditional food on the island is quite healthy. One common dish is bacalhau, which is a salt-cured codfish that can be found at most local restaurants. A less expensive dish is called espada com banana which is made with scabbard fish and bananas, served with potatoes and fresh salad. All the local cuisine is fairly simple, which in many ways is its greatest appeal.

Theatre and music

The Funchal music festival, Razes do Atlntico, features performances by internationally renowned bands. This festival is sponsored by the Regional Department of Cultural Events and is put together by Almasud Records. During the main festival, the performances begin every day at 22:00, and The Kelts music group starts playing on the Lipopromenade at midnight. The festival also features free screenings at the Cine Max and the World Record Fair at the Funchal Municipal Gardens.

Shopping

Shoppers in Funchal often capitalise on the region's reputation for fine wine and beautiful tapestries, both of which can be easily purchased along with wickerwork. In addition to these traditional crafts and products, many shopping venues also offer flowers, tropical fruits and Portuguese shoes.