A charming European city known for its scenic beauty, mild subtropical climate and rich cultural heritage has been named “one of the best” city breaks on the continent.

Funchal, the capital and largest city of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal located in the North Atlantic Ocean, has been crowned by Which? in its latest survey. 

An online survey was conducted with 1,637 members of Which? in October 2023, asking them about European cities they had visited for leisure within the past two years, spending at least one night in each destination.

The findings, which have now been published, are based on 2,458 travel experiences. Average hotel rates were sourced from the comparison site Kayak, while Skyscanner provided the average price of return economy flights from London. Food and drink costs were obtained from the Post Office’s City Costs Barometer 2024.

The consumer company said for Funchal: “It’s relatively cheap to eat in Madeira and the island enjoys plenty of excellent local produce (including its world-famous wine) thanks to its subtropical climate and fertile volcanic soils. It was also awarded the full five stars for food and drink in our survey.”

Funchal is set against a dramatic backdrop of lush mountains and a coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s name comes from the Portuguese word funcho (fennel), reflecting the wild fennel that grew abundantly when the island was first settled.

The tourist destination is a bustling modern city, blending its historical charm with contemporary amenities. It has a vibrant market scene, including the famous Mercado dos Lavradores, where fresh produce, flowers, and local goods are sold.

Visitors can see various popular hotspots such as Sé Cathedral, Zona Velha (Old Town), Monte Palace Tropical Garden, etc. 

One can also take a scenic ride from Funchal to Monte for breathtaking panoramic views. The city also has toboggan rides where a traditional wicker sled rides downhill, guided by skilled carreiros.

Tourists who have been to the European city have shared their reviews on the TripAdvisor forum. 

One traveller commented: “Quite nice to walk down to the town from our Hotel (up near Reeves corner). The traffic is always noisy, but it is nice to cut through the gardens and overlook the sea. We always walked, but some people got the bus. I liked looking at the architecture and enjoyed the ambiance of the cafes outside. Nice to sea all the cruise liners coming in and out of the harbour.”

A second user said: “Beautiful island but more for the elder clientele. Nightlife is sparse. If you like quiet, very chilled out holidays and a lot of walking I would recommend.”

A third user commented: “Funchal is a tranquil, pretty town with plenty to see whilst walking around the narrow black and white mosaic patterned streets. We visited in early January when the Christmas lights were on – they were amazing in colour and quantity – the town looked like a fairyland! There were wooden cabins full of local crafts and homemade liquor, and girls dressed in spectacular Christmas outfits to help tourists and add to the seasonal festivities. 

“Also in the centre was a life-sized tableau of the Nativity scene, complete with a crib, oxen, camels, and 3 kings. People in traditional Madeirn dress served hot soup, and bolo do caco from stalls – it was delicious and very reasonably priced.”