There are a number of great places to walk to see views around the capital of Madeira. We have continued to explore from where our apartment is near the old part of Funchal. One day we took an Uber to get to a lookout spot that was too far to walk and then began working our way down toward the water along a levada and in between neighborhoods.
It was so cool to walk past banana trees on lots in between houses, along property walls and as part of residential landscaping! They were often loaded with fruit.
The Lido Promenade Area
We worked our way down into the Lido area and discovered it's filled with lots of large hotels and swimming pools. So many pools! Some of which are called natural pools and designed using protected areas that connect to the ocean water. We decided we definitely need to try some of these! We loved strolling along the Lido Promenade which is a walking path that runs along the top of the cliffs.
We even got to watch a pretty Eurasian Kestrel as it flew all around us.
Soak up the Views
The outside patio at our lunch spot looked out to the Cabo Girão cliff which we can't wait to visit (once we pick up our rental car) as well as lots of terraced gardens that are dotted everywhere along the slopes.
Universo de Memórias João Carlos Abreu
On a different day we started by walking here hoping to dodge some rain showers by seeing the art inside. Sadly it wasn't open (for reasons not posted) so we instead wandered their pretty gardens and had a cup of coffee in their little Café.
Wander Old Town Streets
After the rain shower stopped we continued on down some narrow pretty streets back into town where we stopped to have lunch.
Visit a Park
Afterwards we noticed what looked like a large park on a hill so we headed to check it out and WOW! The Santa Catarina Park is big, has incredible views, a pond with birds and lots of benches to relax. We'll be back here for sure. We've noticed Christopher Columbus is a prominent figure here (buildings, street names and statues) so we looked it up and learned that he lived in Madeira from 1840-1842 as he studied Atlantic navigation!
As you can tell from these pictures the weather these couple of days was super changeable and quickly went from clouds to bright blue skies and then back to clouds! Since we've arrived the temperatures have been steady in the 70's and it feels amazing, although you really notice the humidity when walking and climbing these streets when the sun is shining. It sure doesn't feel like November!
October/November 2022
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