Madeira Island may be the Isle of Eternal Spring but when it comes to May, the temperatures are much colder than in other European mainland countries. But even though the temperatures are around 14°C, the main city of Funchal is still overflowing with fun and interesting things to do and places to visit. So here are some suggestions.
May events in Funchal
One of the largest events in Funchal this month is the Madeira Flower Festival between the 5th and the 29th of May. You can enjoy vibrant and opulent flower arrangements as well as ceremonies, flower markets, and a family-friendly program. And a similar event takes place Caniço between the 20th and the 22nd of May, known as the Onion Festival.
On the 18th of May, Funchal will celebrate International Museum Day. As per the annual tradition, many large and small museums and art galleries will open their doors to the public without an entry fee and some will even have a special program prepared. If you ever wanted to check out an exhibition in Funchal, then this day is the perfect day to do it.
The next festivity is centred around food. Between the 20th and the 28th of May, the area around the Sé cathedral in Funchal will liven up with restaurants on streets like Largo do Chafariz, Rua João Tavira, Queimada de Cima, Queimada de Baixo, Bispo, and Ferreiros serving traditional Madeiran food. There will also be dance bands playing as well as symphonic music which will improve the overall experience of your meal.
Lastly, lovers of old cars will be delighted to know that Funchal hosts an annual Madeira Classic Car Revival on the 28th and the 29th of May. The event celebrates the more than 600 old cars on the Island and the Clube de Automóveis Clássicos da Madeira even organises a race where you can see the vintage automobiles pitted against one another. Don’t miss out on the smell of oil and leather and see a bit of history race around the track.
Places to visit in Funchal in May
The somewhat chilly weather is best spent looking around the sights and then stopping for some culture or food inside. This is why the Sé cathedral and Funchal’s historical centre are perfect for visitors to the city. Once you took in the sights, you can go do some shopping on the streets Rua do Aljube, Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas, and Rua da Carreira. And there are even some good places to have lunch, some of which even have a daily menu that costs around €10 per meal so you won’t be overspending on tourist traps.
If you want to continue taking in the sights after that, visit the Rua da Santa Maria where you can see over 200 artworks painted on doors and walls by the local population. And after this, head on to Mercado dos Lavradores where you can enjoy a traditional flower, fruit, veg, and fish market. The market is open every day apart from Sundays.
Lastly, we recommend taking the Monte Cable Car that will take you to the Monte Palace and its tropical gardens. Not only will you have a beautiful view of the city, but you will also get to see more than 100 000 different species of plants. And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg, but we’ll let you find out the rest for yourself. After all, discovery is part of the fun of travelling.
