Are you planning to visit Funchal by car? Here’s everything you need to know to park without stress:
- The Best Parking Spots for Exploring Funchal
- Where to park near the main sites
- Free options and secure parking
- Areas to avoid and safety tips
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is it hard to park in Funchal?
Parking in Funchal requires a little planning, but it’s not a headache. Madeira’s capital city uses a system of color-coded zones (blue, yellow, green, and red), each with its own hourly fare and inspection schedule.
You’ll also find plenty of monitored parking lots there. But be aware that they all close at night and sometimes fairly early on the weekends. So if you plan to leave early in the morning, be sure to check the opening hours!
We tested several of these areas during our stay and found that the main challenge stems from the terrain: the city is built on a slope, which directly affects your choice of parking lot depending on which neighborhoods you plan to visit.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Parking in Funchal: Summary
Parking on the street: Yes, but take precautions
Unlike many cities in southern Europe, street parking is perfectly permitted in Funchal, provided you follow the rules for the specific zone you are in.
- The Blue Zone, which is most common in the city center, costs €1.20 per hour during the day and €2 at night, with a maximum charge of €16 for 24 hours.
- The Yellow Zone, which is closer to the marina, costs €1.85 per hour but is free on Sundays and holidays.
- Before parking your vehicle, take a moment to check the nearest sign: it indicates the zone color, the times when fees apply, and the applicable rate.
- iParque Driver is the official app that lets you pay for on-street parking without needing change.
Free parking
There are indeed free options in Funchal, but they’re all located on the outskirts of the city center. The Monte neighborhood, the upper part of Estrada Monumental, and the parking lot at Praia Formosa Beach offer free parking, requiring a 15- to 30-minute walk or a ride on the cable car.
We especially appreciate the “Monte” option, which lets you head back down to the historic center while enjoying a lovely view of the bay along the way. But it’s really very steep.
The main parking lots for tourists
- Almirante Reis Parking Lot – Underground, paid parking
On the waterfront, just a stone’s throw from Avenida do Mar - Santa Luzia Parking Lot – Covered, paid, overnight flat rate
The best option for long-term parking - Mercado dos Lavradores Parking Lot – Paid Parking
Perfect for visiting the market and the old town - São Tiago Parking Lot – Paid Parking
Near the historic district; credit cards accepted - Plaza CR7 Parking Lot – Underground, paid parking
On Avenida Sá Carneiro, near the cruise ship terminal and the CR7 Museum - Amazonia Car Park – Outdoor, paid parking
Just a few minutes from the Zona Velha and the cable car - Rates range from €1.20 to €2 per hour, depending on the parking lot you choose.
- 24-hour pass: between €5 and €16, depending on the facility
- Bus station and shopping center parking: often free for the first two hours
- If you plan to leave early, be careful—a 24-hour pass doesn’t mean it’s open 24 hours a day.
- Details of each parking lot later in the article.
Essential tips
- Before parking, always check the sign nearby to see whether parking is paid or free at that specific location.
- Spaces marked with the letter “M” are reserved for residents; a €60 fine will be imposed for noncompliance
- Never stop on a yellow line, on a sharp curve, in front of a driveway, on a steep slope, or in any place that might obstruct traffic
- And check out all our tips for renting a car and driving in Madeira
Accommodation with parking: our recommendations
If you want to make your stay easier, choose a place to stay in the Old Town that has private parking—a rare find in Funchal’s historic center.
Here are some suggestions:
- Three House apartment hotel (4 stars)
See photos, prices and availability – and book! - Castanheiro Boutique Hotel (4 stars)
Check photos and availability - Porto Santa Maria Hotel – PortoBay
Check photos and availability - See our selection of the best hotels in Funchal
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Where to park to get closer to specific locations in Funchal
Funchal stretches from the waterfront to the hills, which is why your choice of parking depends largely on where you want to go. Here are our recommendations for the most-visited websites.
See our article on Funchal’s top attractions.
Where to park when visiting the historic center: Avenida do Mar and the Zona Velha
If you want to stroll along Avenida do Mar and explore the colorful alleys of the Zona Velha, the Almirante Reis Parking Garage is still the most convenient option. Its waterfront location means you can walk to the boardwalk in just a few minutes. The Amazonia Car Park, located on Rua Nova da Alegria, is a good option if you’re staying on the east side; it’s about a 5-minute walk from that same neighborhood.
Where to park when visiting the Mercado dos Lavradores
The Mercado dos Lavradores, the city’s iconic covered market, is best visited early in the morning. The Almirante Parking Lot isn’t far away. There are also two other parking lots that are closer but among the most expensive in Funchal: Oudinot and Parking – Espaço Insular (closes at 9 p.m.)
Where to park when visiting the cruise port and the CR7 Museum
For travelers disembarking from a cruise ship or wishing to visit the Museu CR7, dedicated to local native Cristiano Ronaldo, the Parking Plaza CR7 is the most logical choice. This underground parking garage on Avenida Sá Carneiro is located about a 10-minute walk from the heart of Funchal, along the route that connects the port directly to downtown.
Where can I park to visit Monte and its gardens?
To reach the Monte neighborhood and its hillside gardens, head to the free street parking available in this residential area. But you have to drive around to find a parking spot on the narrow, sloping streets.
Otherwise, park at the Almirante Reis parking lot near the cable car and take the cable car up.
The Best Parking Lots for Visiting Funchal
Funchal offers visitors several paid facilities located throughout the city center, the marina, and the cruise ship terminal. Here are the details for each one.
Almirante Reis Parking Lot
The Almirante Reis Parking Garage is located in a prime spot on Avenida do Mar, right in the heart of the waterfront. We recommend it for its reliability and its close proximity to the main attractions in the city center.
- GPS coordinates: 32.647768, -16.903289
- Paying
- Covered and top floor (uncovered)
- Credit card payments accepted
- 24-hour package available
- Closed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
5 de Outubro Parking Lot
- GPS coordinates: 32.652325, -16.909984
- 24-hour package available
- But it’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays—please note!
- Covered
- Cash only; please pay at the entrance kiosk
Santa Luzia Parking Lot
Right next to 5 de Outubro. The Santa Luzia Parking Lot stands out for its particularly affordable overnight rate. It’s our top choice for parking for several days
- GPS coordinates: 32.652265, -16.909833
- Covered
- For small cars
- Daily Rate
- The parking lot closes at 2 p.m. on Saturdays
São Tiago Parking Lot
The São Tiago Parking Lot is located not far from the historic district and accepts card payments, which is convenient if you don’t have any cash on hand.
- GPS coordinates: 32.647772, -16.896818
- Fee required; credit cards accepted
- One of the highest-rated
- Open from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays
- and from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday
Praça CR7 parking lot
The Plaza CR7 Parking Garage, also known as Praça CR7, is an underground parking garage with 450 spaces located on Avenida Sá Carneiro, the main thoroughfare connecting the cruise ship terminal to downtown Funchal. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the shopping streets in the city center. He avoids driving in the city center.
- GPS coordinates: 32.643172, -16.915483
- 450 seats
- Paying
- Underground with large squares
- Highly rated
- Open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- A 15-minute walk from the boat tour departure points
Amazonia Parking Lot
The Amazonia Car Park is an outdoor facility on Rua Nova da Alegria, about a 10-minute walk from the Zona Velha, the cable car, and several restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. We find it useful as a backup option when the parking lots along the waterfront are full, especially in the evening.
- GPS coordinates: 32.649258, -16.899251
- There is a fee, but payment is accepted only in cash
- Exterior
- Highly Rated
- Great daily rate—one of the cheapest
- From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (verified upon arrival; this may change)
Parking lots at the Forum Madeira and La Vie shopping centers
If your plans include a little shopping or a meal at a restaurant, the parking lots at the Forum Madeira and La Vie shopping centers offer the first two hours free with validation at the register.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs. – View the schedule and availability—and make a reservation!
Canyoning among the rocks! – View options and availability
Gastronomic tour to discover local specialties – View options and availability
Where can I park for free in Funchal?
There are free options in Funchal, but they’re all located outside the city center. Here, we present the available alternatives, while being transparent about their respective limitations.
- Monte neighborhood: free and plentiful street parking. It’s just a short cable car ride or a 20-minute walk to the historic center.
- Top of the Estrada Monumental: a road high above the tourist area. Free street parking is available, but it’s a 15- to 20-minute walk to the center.
- Praia Formosa Beach Parking Lot: completely free, about a 30-minute walk from downtown along the waterfront promenade. A great option for days at the beach.
Where should you avoid parking in Funchal?
Parking regulations in Funchal are fairly lenient compared to other tourist cities, but there are a few rules that must be strictly followed, or you could face a fine.
- Spaces reserved for residents (marked “M”): Unauthorized parking in these spaces is subject to a fine of €60.
- Yellow lines, sharp turns, and driveway entrances: never stop there—these areas are monitored and can result in fines ranging from €30 to €45.
- Parking spaces for people with disabilities who do not have a permit: the fine exceeds €100, and enforcement is strict.
- Parking in two spaces: the fine exceeds €150, and the vehicle may be towed.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
FAQ — Parking in Funchal
Where can you park in Funchal without having to walk too far?
For families with strollers, people with limited mobility, or simply those who prefer to minimize walking, the Almirante Reis Parking Lot remains the best option: its exit leads directly to the waterfront, just a few minutes from the main attractions. Please note that some areas offer free parking to holders of a European disability permit; check with your rental company before departure.
Secure parking lots in Funchal
As in any tourist area, we recommend that you do not leave anything in plain sight inside your vehicle, even in covered, monitored parking garages such as Almirante Reis, Santa Luzia, or Parking Plaza CR7.
What is the cheapest parking lot in Funchal?
Amazonia Car Park, but you have to pay in cash.
What is the iParque Driver app?
iParque Driver is the official app that lets you pay for on-street parking without needing change. Simply register your license plate, select the zone and the desired duration, then pay by card directly from your phone. We recommend that you download it before you arrive, as the parking meters in Funchal can sometimes be quite coin-hungry.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
