Madeira Tourist Information Offices
There is a tourist information office in the Arrivals Hall of Funchal International Airport. Since your are likely to be struggling with luggage, this is most probably not the most convenient place to ask for tourist information - unless you have arrived without booking accommodation etc.
| Funchal International Airport | |
|---|---|
| Address | Santa Catarina de Baixo 9100 Santa Cruz |
| Opening times: Daily | 9:30am to 9:30pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 524 933 |
| Location | Situated on the ground floor, Arrivals level On your left as you exit the baggage reclaim and Customs area |
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Tourist Information Offices in Funchal
There are only two official Tourist Information Offices in Funchal itself. Beware of timeshare sales offices that helpfully have a sign outside proclaiming tourist information here! See Beware of timeshares.
The official tourist information offices are run by the Direcção Regional do Turismo da Madeira. The main office for the whole of Madeira Island is on the main street of Funchal city center, the Avenida Arriaga. It is located just along from the front of Blandy's Wine Lodge. Just look for the statue of Zarco, in front of the Banco de Portugal and head toward globe fountain roundabout. If you reach Blandy's Wine Lodge shop front, you have passed it.
The other official tourist office is located conveniently in the hotel district of Funchal. It is on the ground floor of the shopping mall just along from the Hotel Monumental Lido. Look for the bus stops on the north side of the large, oblong roundabout with a grass center.
| Central Funchal Tourist Office | |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Avenida Arriaga 9004-519 Funchal |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday Saturday | 9:00am to 7:00pm 9:00am to 3:00pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 211 902 |
| Map |  |
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| Hotel District Of Funchal Tourist Office | |
|---|---|
| Address | Monumental Lido Shopping Centre 284 Estrada Monumental 9000-100 Funchal |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday Saturday | 9:00am to 12:30pm then 2:00pm to 5:00pm 9:30am to 12:00 noon |
| Telephone | (351) 291 775 254 |
| Map |  |
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| Nun's Valley Information Desk | |
|---|---|
| Address | Estrada Cónego Camacho 9030-319 Curral das Freiras |
| Opening times: Tuesday Thursday | 9:30am to 3:30pm 9:30am to 3:30pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 721 180 |
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| Porto Moniz Office | |
|---|---|
| Address | 9270 Porto Moniz |
| Opening times: Monday Tuesday to Friday Saturday | 11:00am to 3:00pm 11:00am to 3:30pm 12:00 noon to 3:00pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 853 075 |
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| Porto Santo Island Tourist Office | |
|---|---|
| Address | Avenida Henrique Vieira e Castro Vila Baleira 9400 Porto Santo |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday Saturday | 9:00am to 5:30pm 10:00am to 12:30pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 985 244 |
| Map |  |
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Ribeira Brava tourist information office
The official tourist office in Ribeira Brava in house in a old, small, renovated, sea front fortification to the east of the village. Look for the glass café with a number of tables outside on a bland concrete expanse. The fortification you are look for is nearby.
| Ribeira Brava | |
|---|---|
| Address | Forte de São Bento 9350 Ribeira Brava |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday Saturday | 10:00am to 3:30pm 10:00am to 12:30pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 951 675 |
| Map |  |
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| Santana Village | |
|---|---|
| Address | Sítio do Serrado 9230 Santana |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday Saturday | 10:00am to 1:00pm then 2:00pm to 5:30pm 10:00am to 12:30pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 573 228 |
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| PLEASE NOTE | |
|---|---|
| All Offices will be closed on: | 1st January Easter Sunday 1st May 25th & 26th December |
| Copyright © Direcção Regional do Turismo da Madeira (Details correct at May 2011) | |
Madeira Tourist Information - Beware!
As you walk around Funchal, and in particular in the vicinity of the Hotel District of Funchal, you will see many Information Centres.
Please take note that these Information Centres do not represent or operate on behalf of the Regional Directorate of Madeira Tourism. They are usually linked to, and promote, timeshare properties.
Madeira Tourist Information Features
Funchal's Gate Varadouro
The Old City Gate was originally constructed in 1689 as part of Funchal's fortifications.
That Funchal needed protection from pirates and foreign aggression was in little doubt. The city was often attacked by marauding forces from passing ships.
Finally, the fortification became largely redundant in the late nineteenth century and the gate Varadouro was eventually dismantled in 1911. Fortunately, key aspects of the gate and its design were preserved. Then, in 2004, to contribute to the city's 500th anniversary celebrations, Funchal's Gate Varadouro was rebuilt in its original location.
Quotes of the Famous
"He was the only man who taught me anything while I was on a holiday in that land." George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and Nobel prize recipient - January 1926.
Talking of Michael Rander, who taught George Bernard Shaw to tango whilst the playwright stayed at Reid's Palace Hotel on Madeira in 1924.
