Photo: official website
Your stay — Casa da Praça
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The Property — Casa da Praça
Casa da Praça sits on a quiet, tree-lined square in Funchal’s old town. The lobby feels like a cosy, airy living room with tiled floors and a small honesty bar. It’s a no-fuss, three-star gem that suits independent travellers who want a central base without paying for frills. The USP is location: you step out onto Praça do Município, two minutes from the Sé Cathedral and a five-minute walk to the marina.
Chronicles of Funchal
Funchal was founded in 1424 by João Gonçalves Zarco, a Portuguese explorer who named it after the abundant fennel (funcho) he found here. Its medieval core grew around the Cathedral (built 1493–1514), blending Gothic and Manueline styles. The 19th century brought grand villas and the Monte Palace, reflecting the wealth from Madeira’s wine trade. Today, Funchal balances cruise-ship tourism with a quiet local life—its markets, gardens and steep cobbled streets still feel genuinely Portuguese.
Best Time to Visit
Full Funchal guide →Best months
April–June and September–October: warm, settled weather (20–25°C) with lower humidity and fewer cruise-ship crowds than summer.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: school holidays and the Atlantic Festival (fireworks concerts every Saturday in June–July) push hotel prices up 30–50%. Funchal’s streets and restaurants get very busy.
Budget shoulder season
March and November: hotel rates drop sharply; weather is mild (18–22°C) but with more rain; fewer tourists and easier reservations.
Weather & packing
Funchal’s climate is subtropical—expect sudden showers even in July, but they rarely last. Pack a light rain jacket or folding umbrella, plus layers for cooler evenings on the coast.
Live City Briefing — Funchal
- The Funchal cable car to Monte is running as normal, but the Monte toboggan ride is now booking time slots online—book a day ahead to avoid queues.
- A new pedestrianised zone on Rua dos Ferreiros (trial since 2025) now closes to cars 18:00–02:00, improving restaurant terrace space.
- Electric scooter rentals (e.g., Bird and Lime) have expanded in the city centre; watch for pavement parking fines introduced in April 2025.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa da Praça, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors (5th or 6th) on the rear side of the building for reduced street noise and better views over the old town rooftops toward the hills.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms facing the street, especially those near the entrance or reception, as Praça do Povo is a lively square with café chatter and foot traffic into the evening.
Best views
Upper floor rooms at the rear offer angled views over Funchal’s terracotta roofs and the hillside, while front-facing rooms overlook Praça do Povo and the pedestrianised square with its central fountain.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 – higher floors buffer street noise effectively, and the lift stops at all levels, making access easy.
🔊 Noise notes
The square hosts occasional evening buskers and a weekend fruit market. Traffic is minimal as the square is pedestrian-only, but delivery trucks service nearby cafés early (7am).
Insider tips
1. If driving, ask ahead about street parking permits – the hotel has no dedicated lot, but a public garage (Mercado dos Lavradores) is a 3-min walk. 2. Request a room with a small balcony on the rear side for a quiet spot to sit out, as front-facing balconies overlook the square’s action.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa da Praça
Free throughout property. Speed is adequate for browsing/email (approx 20 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up). No login required, just a network password from reception
One lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital press via 'PressReader' – login code from reception. Physical newspapers not provided
Check-in from 14:00 (early bag drop allowed). Late check-out until 12:00 for 25 EUR; after 12:00 charged half night's rate
Free for same-day arrivals/departures. Long-term storage not available
Step-free access from street via a small ramp at main door. Lift to all floors. No adapted rooms or grab rails in bathrooms
No on-site parking. Nearest public parking: 'Parque da Praça' (50 m) – 12 EUR/24h. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 2 EUR per person per night (up to 7 nights, ages 13+)
Deposit & card hold: Full pre-payment required at booking; incidental hold of 50 EUR on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja do Carmo (131 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal (270 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Capela de São Luís de Tolosa (301 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Sé do Funchal (372 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Europa — 68 m · ~1 min walk
Jardim Municipal do Funchal — 678 m · ~8 min walk
Museu de Arte Sacra — 251 m · ~3 min walk
Auditorio Municipal — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Campo da Quinta Deão — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Carmo — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Amanhecer — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Funchal — 754 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
ATMs are the easiest way to get euros; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport or tourist-heavy spots on Avenida Arriaga – rates are poor. Use bank ATMs in shopping centres or bank branches for better rates.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere; contactless and Apple/Google Pay are very common. Small market stalls and some taxis still prefer cash, though.
Rounding up the bill in restaurants is polite but not expected; 5-10% extra for good service. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip; hotel porters get €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) at a local café costs around €0.80-1.00. Avoid the seafront cafés in Zona Velha for cheaper options.
A prato do dia (daily special) at a típica restaurant in the old town or behind the Mercado dos Lavradores is about €8-12, including drink.
A main course at a simple local restaurant (grilled fish or espetada) runs €10-15. Sharing a poncha at a bar can keep costs down.
The Mercado dos Lavradores has small snack counters with prego sandwiches (€3-4), and in Zona Velha the open-sided restaurants serve affordable bolo do caco garlic bread.
Pingo Doce and Continente are the main budget supermarkets; both have decent ready-made sandwiches and pastries for cheap lunches.
Rua de João de Deus and the area around Avenida do Mar have affordable high-street shops (Zara, H&M, C&A); for better deals check the Madeira Shopping centre.
The cheapest way around is the €1.95 single bus fare on Horários do Funchal; a Giro card (€0.85 single) is worth it if you stay a few days. From the airport, the Aerobus (Line 20) costs around €5 one-way; avoid taxis (€35-40) unless you're sharing with others.
Eat the prato do dia at lunch rather than dinner – same food often half the price.Buy a Giro bus card for discounted singles and save on return trips.Skip cable cars (€18 return) and walk up to Monte for free – steep but rewarding views.
Good to know — Funchal
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Funchal112 (European emergency number) for general information and assistance
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Funchal, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa da Praça
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Carmo — 149 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal City Centre (near Living Funchal Bloco-III)
💡 A hop-on hop-off service that allows you to get off near your hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 Buy tickets on the bus or at the bus station; then take a taxi or walk to the hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Living Funchal Bloco-III
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher prices during peak hours
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 A cheaper option, but with less frequent departures
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa da Praça?
Request upper floors (5th or 6th) on the rear side of the building for reduced street noise and better views over the old town rooftops toward the hills.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa da Praça?
Ground-floor rooms facing the street, especially those near the entrance or reception, as Praça do Povo is a lively square with café chatter and foot traffic into the evening.
Is Casa da Praça noisy?
The square hosts occasional evening buskers and a weekend fruit market. Traffic is minimal as the square is pedestrian-only, but delivery trucks service nearby cafés early (7am).
Which rooms have the best views at Casa da Praça?
Upper floor rooms at the rear offer angled views over Funchal’s terracotta roofs and the hillside, while front-facing rooms overlook Praça do Povo and the pedestrianised square with its central fountain.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa da Praça?
1. If driving, ask ahead about street parking permits – the hotel has no dedicated lot, but a public garage (Mercado dos Lavradores) is a 3-min walk. 2. Request a room with a small balcony on the rear side for a quiet spot to sit out, as front-facing balconies overlook the square’s action.
What time is check-in at Casa da Praça?
Check-in at Casa da Praça is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa da Praça have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout property. Speed is adequate for browsing/email (approx 20 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up). No login required, just a network password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa da Praça?
2 EUR per person per night (up to 7 nights, ages 13+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa da Praça?
A prato do dia (daily special) at a típica restaurant in the old town or behind the Mercado dos Lavradores is about €8-12, including drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa da Praça?
The cheapest way around is the €1.95 single bus fare on Horários do Funchal; a Giro card (€0.85 single) is worth it if you stay a few days. From the airport, the Aerobus (Line 20) costs around €5 one-way; avoid taxis (€35-40) unless you're sharing with others.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
April–June and September–October: warm, settled weather (20–25°C) with lower humidity and fewer cruise-ship crowds than summer.
Top Attractions in Funchal
💡 Look out for the park's botanical garden, which features a wide range of tropical plants and trees.
💡 Take a guided tour to learn more about Ronaldo's early life and career, and see some of his personal belongings on display.
💡 Look out for the centre's beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings.
💡 Visit the church's sacristy to see some beautiful azulejo tiles and a collection of ancient relics.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best views and a spectacular sight.