Praça do Município (Municipal Square), Funchal

Municipal Square is a pedestrianized area paved with dark and light basalt and limestone tiles arranged in flowing wave patterns typical of Madeiran pavements. At its heart rises a tall fountain spire in a Portuguese architectural style from the early 1500s, set above a wide, overflowing basin that has become one of the square’s defining features. Although the inner area is reserved for pedestrians, traffic and parking are allowed around the perimeter, forming a ring road that frames the space.

This square is widely regarded as the most important public gathering place in Funchal. It is surrounded by some of the city’s finest historic buildings: the 18th-century Town Hall, the 17th-century Church of Saint John the Evangelist, the Museum of Sacred Art housed in the 16th-century Episcopal Palace, and the former Jesuits’ College, today serving as the rectory of the University of Madeira.

If you want to stop in a nearby restaurant, to feel the square vibe, Just behind the Museum of Sacred Art sits the popular Museum Cafe, known for its shaded patio and relaxed atmosphere. The square frequently serves as a ceremonial and cultural stage. Christmas illuminations, open-air concerts, civic celebrations, and public dances fill the space throughout the year.