Funchal is the biggest city in Portugal, and also the capital of its autonomous region of Madeira. It is one of the most well-known tourist spots in the country. The first settlers named the city Funchal which means ‘fennel’ because of the abundant growth of the plant in the area. It is also known for having a lot of museums, historical sites and beautiful street arts where tourists can take a lot of pictures for their Instagram accounts. If you have plans on visiting this lovely city, your visit won’t be complete without getting a souvenir and giveaway stuff for your friends, relatives and family members. To give you an idea on what to buy in Funchal, Portugal, we’ve come up with a list of things to consider buying. Let’s look at them below!
1. Get your hands on the world-famous Madeira embroidery
The art of embroidery in Madeira has been existing since the mid-1800s. It has been passed down from generation to generation and is still well known today, thanks to the women of Madeira who keep this tradition alive. If you have friends who’d appreciate embroidery, it’d be a good idea to gift them one. After all, Madeira embroidery is known to be one of the finest embroideries not only in Europe but in the whole world!
2. Buy some vintage accessories
If you’re a fashionista and you appreciate vintage fashion, you should head on to Cuca - Vintage Retro Shop! It is one of the most famous vintage fashion stores in Funchal. They sell vintage bags, clothes, earrings and other types of accessories, both for men and women! The items you’ll buy from this store isn’t just going to serve as a souvenir, you can use them every day to express your taste in fashion!
3. Local arts and crafts
Madeira is known for its local arts. Door paintings, art museums, and shops abound in the region. If you happen to be an enthusiast for arts and crafts, you’ll have many chances to express your enthusiasm here! You can be adventurous and roam around the streets of Funchal to search for art shops. But we’ll give you a few stores to visit and buy souvenirs from. You can go to Funchalet Craft Shop or Caravel Art Center, which are two of the most famous art and crafts stores in the area.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Quinta Vitória PentHouse (Shared Pool)
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Shaggy
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Central Garden,heart city,quiet square,marina, P
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Faa Rentals January 31 Penthouse
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Apartment Ocean Panorama: Spectacular View & Pool
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
4. Try Terramiga beauty products
If you love taking care of yourself, why not buy some beauty products from Terramiga? The product is 100 percent Portuguese, and as a tourist, it might be a good idea to experience as much of Portugal as possible. From foods to fashion, arts to culture, and down to its local beauty products! These products are formulated by experts in geo-pharmacy using natural ingredients which are proven to promote a healthy body. It is also a great gift for friends back home!
5. CastelBel aromatic candles
CastelBel is a Portuguese beauty products company that specializes in soap making. Aside from their soaps, they are also known for their body lotion and other body care products. Among their unique offerings are their soap and scented candle sets that come in a variety of scents, such as jasmine, lavender, and verbena. It is a great giveaway for friends and family members when you get back home.
6. Artisanal chocolates to pamper your family's sweet tooth
If you happen to pass by one of the most famous chocolate shops in Funchal, which is Uau Cacau, you may want to buy your family back home a box or two of artisanal chocolates. You can also ask them to create a personalized design for you. Besides customization, what’s else makes their chocolates so special, you may ask? Well, they don’t use artificial ingredients, so it’s a healthy choice!
7. Customized CastelBel soaps
Do you know someone who’ll appreciate body care products? If you do, you might want to get one of Castelbel soaps when you get back home from Funchal? CastelBel also offers customization services, that is, you can have your loved one’s names written on it, or have your very own personal message for someone special. Aside from soaps, they also offer lotions, hand creams, room spray, and fragrance diffusers.
8. Sugarcane honey cookies
When it comes to cookies and Madeira, one thing comes into our minds: Broas de Mel, or otherwise known as sugarcane honey cookies. It is usually made from wheat flour, eggs, and honey, just like your usual cookie. It is also usually mixed with spices such as fennel, cinnamon or anise, depending on which bakery you’ll buy it from. The giving and receiving of sugarcane honey cookies is said to symbolize giving and receiving good memories.
9. Madeiran decorative ceramics
Funchal also has several ceramic stores and potteries, such as Lillie Ceramics and Vista Alegre, to name a few. They sell beautiful decorative ceramics that will remind you of your adventures in Funchal. The ceramics that you can buy come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, from bowls to plates, terracotta plaques to pitchers. It is a great gift for your parents, siblings or relatives who love to decorate their home with ceramic artifacts.
10. Dried flower necklaces
Flowers carry with them beauty, and it symbolizes our love to the person we are giving them to. But flowers don’t last for very long. Thankfully, the dried flower necklace was invented! These necklaces are made by chemically preserving the flower and coating them with resin, effectively extending the life of a flower. Now that they have made your token of friendship and love last longer, it has become an ideal gift for the people you care for.
Travelling and giving
There are a lot of things to do and experience in Funchal. Of course, after you’ve done all the exploration, your next objective just before going back to your home is to purchase souvenirs. What to buy in Funchal, Portugal? It will ultimately be decided by you. Though, one thing is for sure: regardless of the gift, the people you love and who love you back will be happy with any gift from Funchal that you’ll get for them.