Funchal

Funchal is the capital and the largest city of the portuguese island of Madeira. It was in Funchal that the exploration of Madeira by portuguese colonizers started, in the XV century, and ever since then the city has grown to hold half of the entire population of the island. Being the capital it is normal that here is where most of Madeira's life is located, from the cruise docks, to the hotel and casino areas, to the markets and even the older streets that have been there almost since it's inception, Funchal is great to see and explore, also because it is where most of the islands transportation meets, like buses and lifts that will take you to explore the steep hills of Madeira.