Moving to a new place is always tricky, even if you already have a fully furnished rental and a great job that lets you work remotely. Here are just a few general pieces of info about Funchal that should help you settle in.
Weather in Funchal
The weather conditions in Funchal are always excellent (Madeira is sometimes called the island of eternal spring). The temperatures fluctuate between 20°C and 26°C, meaning it’s never too cold nor too warm. The warmest months are between June and September, and the coldest months are from February to March. The best time for swimming is between August and October, as that’s when the sea is at its warmest, with temperatures somewhere around 26°C. But you can quickly go for a swim even in the coldest months of the year as the sea temperature rarely goes below 18°C.
Cost of living in Funchal
Funchal is one of the more affordable capitals in Europe, getting nowhere near the price tags of metropolises like Paris, Berlin, or London. It’s incredibly cheap when it comes to housing. A small apartment in a non-expensive neighborhood can be around €400, while a large, fully furnished rental in a fancy district can cost about €850. Flatio has a great selection of fully furnished and equipped apartments to rent from 14 days to 6+ months in Funchal. One of the most significant advantages of renting through Flatio is that you don't have to pay a deposit if you are staying for less than six months.
Thanks to its mild climate, bills for heating or electricity are much cheaper than in other parts of Europe, with a monthly bill costing around €80. Funchal is mostly specific rather than more expensive when it comes to food, as certain foods are easier to get and cheaper than others. To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some average prices of everyday groceries: 1 liter of milk is €0.72, 12 eggs are roughly €2.60, 1 kilogram of potatoes is around €1.
Activities
Usually, there are tons of places to visit in Funchal, but many businesses are shut with the current COVID-19 safety measures. So the following suggestions are both a sincere recommendation and a symbolic crossing of fingers that they will soon open for you to explore and enjoy. The number one place to visit is the Monte Palace Madeira. A museum, a historical site, and a 70 000 square meters large garden, this place has just about anything you could ask for. To get to Monte, you can either walk, take a taxi, or take the Telefericos da Madeira, a cable car with stunning scenery to enjoy. If you want to stay in the city, take a walk along Santa Maria street. It is a picturesque local nook and a site of street art created by the general public. Similarly, you can take a walk along the Avenida do Mar, a vibrant boulevard with many waterfront-facing restaurants and cafés.
Price of commuting in Funchal
The prices of transportation in Funchal are slightly higher, but it is still nothing compared to a large metropolis. A liter of gas is at about €1.60, a monthly ticket for public transport is roughly €47, and a taxi trip for about 8km (5 miles) will cost you about €13. It’s worth mentioning, though, that Funchal is a perfect city for skipping the commute entirely and simply walking to where you need to go (especially if you have a rental in the city center).
