Madeira Museums
Besides the many attractions, Madeira Island also has a great number of remarkable cultural and historical museums. Interactive exhibits for both kids and adults and great collections of ancient and modern art can be enjoyed here.
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Contemporary Art Museum Fort Sao Tiago museum has a great collection of Portuguese art, dating back to the 1960s. This museum has been open to the public since 1992 and is considered to be one of the top 5 museums in Portugal. It also promotes and hosts private exhibits from several artist and institutions. Location: Rua do Portão de Santiago - 9050 - 031 Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 Closed: Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Story Centre Museum Story Centre is an interesting interactive modern museum that perfectly illustrates the history and development of Madeira Island and its culture. Here visitors get a chance to experience interactive displays of the Island’s history, feel the environment of different periods through sound and smell. Location: Rua D. Carlos I, nº 28-29 9060-051 Funchal Opening hours: Monday-Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 Closed: December 25th |
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The Museum of Electricity This museum presents an exhibition of rare machinery and equipment from over a century, related to the world of the electric energy. Visitors have a chance to experience the history, present and future technologies of electricity in Madeira. Location: Rua Casa da Luz, nº2 - 9050 - 029 Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 Closed: Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Madeira Embroidery Museum IBTAM - Institute of the Embroidery, Tapestries and Craftwork of Madeira Embroidery is part of Madeira’s history and culture and famously known worldwide. This museum features an exhibition of the finest and most valuable collection of Madeira embroideries and tapestry made during the 19th trough the 20th century. Today this handiwork is still practiced in the homes of many islanders. Here visitors have a chance to learn a few tips for different types of embroidery, stitching methods and needlework techniques. Location: Rua Visconde de Anadia, 44 – Funchal Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 10.00 to 12:30 and from 14.30 to 17.30 Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays |
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Mary Jane Wilson Museum A former British Sister and founder of the Franciscan congregation of our Lady of the Victories. The Museum reflects on her life and work in Madeira Island. She was recognized by her work and through the creation of orphanages and schools. Here visitors may admire the personal objects of Mary Jane, antique photos and a vast collection of works of several areas. Location: Rua do Carmo 56-61 Funchal – Madeira Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14:00 to 17:00, Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 Closed: Sundays, Monday and Public Holidays. |
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Centre Cultural Animation Edmundo Bettencourt This museum is dedicated to a local fado singer and poet, Edmundo Bettencourt (1899-1973). The museum features an exhibition of a temporary art gallery, photography, music, books and many cultural articles. Location: Rua Latino Coelho, nº57 - 9050 -043 Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00 Closed: Mondays |
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Henrique & Francisco Franco Museum A museum dedicated to the study, conservation and devotion to the work of the brothers Henrique and Francisco Franco, Maderian artists who have left a significant mark on Portuguese art during the 19th and 20th century. The museum offers an interesting display of paintings, drawings and sculptures. Location: Rua João de Deus, 13 9050-027 Funchal Opening Hours: Monday - Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00 Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays |
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Natural History Museum Located in the Botanical Garden is also a Natural History Museum featuring a great selection of many rare specimens, including different species of Fauna and Flora of Madeira and Porto Santo. This unique museum has on display many examples specimens that are not found anywhere else in the world, examples of rare insects, fish, shellfish sea flora and algae. One of the most wonderful places to visit as you can also at the same time enjoy the beautiful botanical garden. Location: Caminho do Meio - Qta. do Bom Sucesso Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: 25th December. |
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Monte Palace Museum Monte Palace Tropical Garden also has a museum with an interesting permanent collection of African sculptures from the 1950s and a rich collection of minerals from many parts of the world and including works by artists from Tengenenge, such as Henry Munyaradzi and Bernard Matemera. Location: Monte Palace Tropical Garden - Caminho do Monte, 174 Opening hours: Sunday – Monday from 10:00 to 16:30 |
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Sugar Museum (TEMPORARILY CLOSED) This Museum was once the home and residence of João Esmeraldo, a Flemish settler and merchant who traded sugar between Madeira and many parts of Europe. This exhibition is dedicated to the history of sugar in Madeira, offering visitors an insight into all fields related to sugar and the history of its early years of development and modern day. Location: Praça do Colombo, 5 – Funchal Opening Hours: Monday - Friday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays |
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Madeira Wine Museum Located in the heart of city, Adegas de São Francisco is one of the ancient wine cellars of Funchal. Here visitors may learn about, taste and understand one of the world's extraordinary fine wines, its unique tradition and history. An amazing seventeenth century wooden lagar (wine presser) is found here and large wooden casks, vats containing gallons of the finest wines, artifacts related to winemaking plus letters from Winston Churchill. Location: Avenida Arriaga, 28 – Funchal Guided trips: Monday - Friday from 10.00 - 18.30. Saturday 10:00 - 13:00 Closed: Sundays and Public Holidays |
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Palácio de São Lourenço Military Museum Palácio de São Lourenço is a historical fortress first built in the 15th century. It once served as a residence for the many captains and governors of Madeira Island. Many years after, the Palace was restored and in 1943 was confirmed as a National Monument. Today it remains one of the best preserve examples from the 15th and 17th century, serving as the official residence for the Prime Minister and the Military Command of Madeira. Visitors may visit and admire the exhibition related to its history and development of the fortress. Location: Avenida Zarco – Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays |
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Vicente’s Photography Museum Vicente Gomes da Silva was regarded the most prestigious photographer in Madeira. In 1865 he established his residence in Rua da Carreira, creating his photographic studio in his own garden, which still stands today. This museum is the oldest of its kind and has a great collection of valuable historical material for everyone to explore. Location: Rua da Carreira, 43 - Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 Closed: Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Sacred Art Museum Dating back to 1955, this former bishop's palace is one of the oldest and best preserved museums in Funchal. Religious in nature, this museum has a great selection of antique jewellery, sculptures and several Flemish paintings. Location: Rua do Bispo, 21 – Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 18:00, Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00 Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Madeira Wine Institute An interesting museum featuring the history of Madeira Wine, offering a great collection of engravings, photography and machinery of several phases of culture and production of the Madeira Wine. Location: Rua 5 de Outubro, 78 – Funchal Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and Public holidays |
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Funchal Municipal Museum of Natural History & Aquarium This Museum features a great collection of Madeira’s natural history including flora and fauna and marine life. There is also a library and a small salt-water aquarium with live specimens located on the first floor. Location: Rua da Mouraria, 31 9004-546 Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday from 10.00 to 18.00 and Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 12.00 to 18.00 Closed: Mondays and the following holidays: January 1st, Carnaval Tuesday, Easter Sunday, April 25th, May 1st, Aug 21st, December 25th and 26th. |
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Frederico de Freitas House Museum A passionate collector with an impressive display of exquisite pieces, whose main mission was to study conservation and promote the museum. This amazing collection consists of a number of different items such as, tiles, ceramics, pottery, furniture, religious sculptures and many more. All worth a fortune, dating back from the 15th to the 20th century. Location: Calçada de Santa Clara, Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 17:30 Closed: Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. |
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Quinta das Cruzes Museum A historical manor house and the former residence of João Gonçalves Zarco. Surrounded by a beautiful garden with sculptures exotic flowers and trees, this old manor house holds a valuable and rich collection of fine art, antique furniture, porcelain and many items of historical interest. Location: Calçada do Pico Nº1 9000-206 Funchal Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30, Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00 Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Universe of Memories - J.C. Abreu Founded by João Carlos Abreu, a former Regional Secretary for Tourism & Culture. A museum connected to the story of his life, travels and experiences with a great collection of extraordinary pieces from all over the world. Location: Calçada do Pico Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30, Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00. Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays |
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The Toy museum Travel to the childhood of the past. This is one of the most recent museums in Funchal, created in 2003 by José Manuel Borges Pereira. Here you can recapture your childhood memories, the museum features a collection of about twelve thousand well preserved antique toys, such as miniature cars, airplanes, dolls, toy soldiers and many more. Location: Rua Latino Coelho, 39/ Rua Hospital Velho, 28 (entrance through Armazém do Mercado) Opening hours: Everyday from 10:00 to 18:00 |
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Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre Like most cities in the world, Funchal also has a municipal theatre. The Theatre Baltazar Dias was named after a Madeiran blind poet and theatrical author. The Municipal Theatre was a stage of the most important cultural demonstrations, plays and musical concerts, the only cinema in the Madeira Island. Today this is the theatre where visitors have a chance to see big events such as, Film Festivals, Great Symphonies, Ballet, dances and much more. Location: Avenida Arriaga, 9000-060 Funchal |
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Whale Museum Located in the small fishing village of Caniçal. This museum features an interesting selection of artefacts relating to the history of whale hunting, such as a life-size whale model also a display of pictures of hunting methods and transport, artwork of whalebones and teeth. Location: Garcia Moniz, nº1 – Caniçal Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 18:00 (last entry at 16.30). Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Ethnographic Museum Open to the public since 1996, this museum holds a collection of ethnographic objects in relation to Madeira’s culture and traditions. This exhibition is presented in different areas and themes such as: wine, fishing, means of transportation, cereal and linen production cycles, viticulture and much more. Location: Rua de São Francisco nº 24, 9350-211 Ribeira Brava Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 to 12.30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays |
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Casa das Mudas Arts Centre A contemporary art museum set on a cliff top in the village of Calheta, an interesting design piece of art, dedicated and created to raise public awareness of the arts in general. Many fantastic events are held here, works by famous artists such as Francis Bacon, David Salle, Eric Fischl, Picasso and Dali, including various exhibits, congresses and meetings, dances and musical performances. Location: Vale de Amores, 9370 -111 Calheta Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 Closed: Mondays |
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Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia House Museum This charming house museum is located in Ponta Delgada, the former home of the famous Madeiran teacher, writer, author and journalist Horácio Bento de Gouveia. Here you may find pieces connected to his personal life, his published works and a variety of antiques. Location: Sítio dos Terços -Vila da Ponta Delgada Opening hours: to be determined. |
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Christopher Columbus House Museum Located in Porto Santo Island is the house where Christopher Columbus once lived. This museum features a rich history and information of Christopher Columbus and Madeira discoveries. Location: Rua Cristovão Colombo, 12, Vila Baleira - Porto Santo Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30, Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00. Closed: Mondays |
