This Funchal practical information guide will give you some valuable insight as you plan your family vacation to this city in Portugal. This city has around 150,000 residents and is also the most populated city in Portugal, apart from mainland Portugal. Funchal is the capital of Madeira, and it gets its name from “Fennel” – which is a plant that is found in abundance in the city. The Savage Islands nature reserve is located about 150 km from Funchal.

Passport and Visa Requirements

If you are planning a visit to Funchal, you will need to get to Portugal first. You will need to have a valid passport. If you are from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe (Countries in the Schengen Agreement), you will not need a visa. Citizens of the European Union will need to carry their Identity Cards along with them. Visitors planning to stay for more than 90 days will need to apply for a visa.

Currency

The Euro (€) is the currency that is used in Funchal. If you are from the UK, US or any other country, you will need to change your money before coming to Funchal. You can also change money at your point of entry into Portugal. Another option is to use your ATM card to withdraw money. You can use your credit cards for payments at most outlets.

Weather

Funchal enjoys excellent weather. The maximum temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is around 19 degrees Celsius. August and September are the hottest months with temperatures touching 25 degrees Celsius. In other  words, this is a fine all-year-round destination.