The capital of Portugal’s Madeira region proves a huge draw for tourists thanks to its cultural and historical value. The first settlers to land on the island chose the name thanks to the abundance of fennel. Since their arrival in the early 1400s, Funchal has grown into one of the most popular destinations in Portugal, and for good reason. Mild temperatures all year and an abundance of beauty make the island — and city in particular — an excellent destination for any MICE travelers.
GETTING THERE
Getting to Funchal, Portugal, is surprisingly easy. It is served by Madeira Airport (FNC), commonly known as Funchal Airport. No airlines offer non-stop service to Funchal Airport from the United States, but you can fly to Portugal directly on TAP Air Portugal and then connect onward.
GETTING AROUND
As capital cities go, Funchal is relatively manageable to navigate. If you don’t plan on doing any outside adventuring on your visit and you’re only in town for meetings, you can navigate easily by bus. A one-week pass for unlimited bus rides runs about €15. Stick to the orange buses, and you can get around the city all week. Red buses go west of Funchal while green buses go east, should you want to explore. If all else fails, renting a car is a viable option, especially if you are looking to do some hiking or nature sightseeing.
9–5
A CONFEITARIA
A comfortable and satisfying breakfast is paramount to any productive day. Start your day right with a trip to A Confeitaria. This small café serves breakfast, coffee and other drinks. If you arrive in the morning on a nice day, you will definitely want to sit outside while drinking your coffee. Bring your laptop for some earlymorning work and get ahead of the curve for the rest of the day.
COWORK FUNCHAL
Versatile meeting spots can seem tough to find. Luckily, Funchal offers a variety of options, including one that won’t require renting out an entire hotel’s meeting accommodations. Cowork Funchal gives collaborators and meeting participants a great place to meet. Open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, Cowork Funchal offers drinks, security, a library and more. Book your party’s space before you arrive in Funchal to make sure you have somewhere to work.
TABERNA MADEIRA
You’ll want to reserve a table for your lunch here, but it is definitely worth it for hosting a client over a business lunch. Taberna Madeira has something on the menu to suit your appetite. Light soups and salads, heavy meat dishes and delicacies like octopus all show up. There is also plenty of room to spread out and work collaboratively if that is more your style.
AFTER 5
FLAIR SPOT BAR
If you are looking for eccentric and eclectic cocktails before or after dinner, Flair Spot Bar is your next stop. Expert bartenders can make anything your heart desires, and this cocktail bar proves a great spot to unwind after dinner. An awesome atmosphere cements Flair Spot’s place as a mustvisit when in Funchal.
FUNCHAL WATERFRONT
For some excellent sightseeing where you won’t be constrained by the hour, take a trip to the Funchal Waterfront. This open-air waterfront area is perfect for a relaxing stroll along the shore. Take in the sights of the ocean, or catch views of Funchal from the water. A newly constructed Praça do Povo offers guests a great chance to unwind and take in the sights in a relaxing environment.
O TASCO
For an authentic dinner, consider bringing your meeting partners to O Tasco. Every menu item is indicative of authentic Portuguese cuisine, and the restaurant exudes an aura of comfort, enticing guests to get comfortable and relax. The restaurant is perfect for groups of all sizes, making it the great place for a team to get together after a long day of meetings.
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