Car Rental Funchal

The city of Funchal has been the capital of Madeira for over 500 years and is home to over 100,000 residents. A major tourist destination both for itself and as a hub for exploring the island by using car rental in Funchal downtown, Funchal is known as one of the most beautiful of Portugal's cites and lies in the southern region of Madeira.

The city lies in an amphitheatre-shaped valley on the coast which provided a protected area for its earliest settlers. Its harbour is the busiest on the island, serving cruise ships, yachts and private boats. Madeira airport, its runway now extended into the sea, is close by, giving easy access by cheap car rental in Funchal downtown to the city's central area.

Facilities for tourists include a choice of excellent hotels and other lodgings, a vast choice of restaurants and bars, a vibrant nightlife and many historic sites to visit. The surrounding countryside is lovely, with the nearby Laurisilva Forest a UNESCO natural site. Nearby beaches cater for holidaymakers visiting this major tourist town.

A useful option for self-transportation is car rental in Funchal downtown, available from a number of internationally recognised companies. Although the pretty centre of the city is easily seen on foot, the surrounding countryside is best seen at your convenience by rentald car, as public transport can be unreliable.

The climate here is mild for most of the year, with the lush green valleys and peaks a spectacular sight. Sadly, a massive forest fire in August 2010 destroyed much of the tree coverage in the mountainous central region near the island's highest point, Pico Ruivo, with the resulting burnt areas taking years to recover.