ABOUT FUNCHAL

Located on a large slope facing the Atlantic and shaped like a natural amphitheatre, Funchal is Madeira’s largest tourist, commercial and cultural centre. Elevated to city status on 21 August 1508 by the royal charter of King Manuel I, the History of this archipelago's capital spans several centuries of traditions, culture and European cosmopolitanism. All without losing its connection with the exuberant Nature that surrounds it.

 

The town is named after a sweet-smelling wild herb, traditionally known as fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare), which was abundant here when the settlement was created. Later, several excellent regional products, such as sugar or wine (icons incorporated in the municipal coat of arms and are still Madeiran ex-libris today), proved crucial to the local economy, turning Funchal into a key trading point in the centre of the Atlantic.

 

The municipality, with an area of 76.15 km², comprises ten parishes: Imaculado Coração de Maria, Monte, Santa Luzia, Santa Maria Maior, Santo António, São Gonçalo, São Martinho, São Pedro, São Roque, and Sé. Throughout the territory, historical monuments, museums, leisure areas, lush gardens and viewpoints abound. Discover Funchal!

 

The following website offers many options for day trips around Funchal, as well as information on everything you need to know about our beautiful region! Click here!

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TRAVEL TO FUNCHAL
 

The main access point for those looking to get to Madeira is Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, located in the city of Santa Cruz, which is the main gateway to and from the region. 

We should point out that international flights to Funchal from major European cities are quite frequent and affordable. They last, on average, about three to four hours. From Lisbon, the journey takes just 90 minutes.

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For arrivals from any EU Schengen area country: The border-free Schengen Area guarantees free movement (without special formalities) to EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU as tourists, exchange students or for business purposes (anyone legally present in the EU).

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For arrivals outside the EU Schengen area: If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.

Please note that your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’) and valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’).

Further information click here.

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VENUE

SYMPOSIUM VENUE - PESTANA CASINO PARK HOTEL
 

The Pestana Casino Park is a 5-star hotel in Funchal, Madeira, surrounded by 15,000 m² of private gardens. Designed by world-renowned master architect Óscar Niemeyer, this hotel is adjacent to the Funchal bay cruise port. Plus, it is only 5 minutes on foot from the city centre and the epicentre of the city's social and cultural life.

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PESTANA CASINO PARK HOTEL​​

R. Imperatriz Dona Amelia, 9004-513 Funchal

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GETTING TO THE VENUE

GETTING TO PESTANA CASINO PARK HOTEL

 

Bus: From the city center bus lines 01, 02, 03, 04, 08, 08A, 09, 10, 10A, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15B, 16, 24, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 61, 81,92, run every 15 minutes in rush hour and stops only a few meters FROM HOTEL Pestana Casino Park

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Parking

Information available soon. 

 

Taxi

Taxi services in Funchal operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are many taxi stands around the city and you can call (+351) 291 145 749 or (+351) 291 220 911 at any time for a scheduled pick-up.

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ACCOMMODATION

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Due to unexpectedly high tourist demand in 2024, the island of Madeira is experiencing much higher than usual booking rates for hotels, other accommodations and flights. This is a general trend. Tourist demand is expected to grow by more than 20% this year, and it will be higher in traditional holiday destinations such as Madeira. Therefore, we strongly encourage colleagues interested in attending the IAVS 2024 Symposium to book their accommodation and flights - the sooner the better - and then register or at least let us know that you will be registering for the Symposium.

There are still places available on the pre-Symposium excursion, for which you can find information on the 'Excursions' page. Regarding this excursion, the same convenience applies to booking flights and accommodation, the earlier the better.

For the post-Symposium  excursion, the Canary Islands have similar drawbacks, but we, the organisers, are confident that we will be able to sort this out soon and let those interested know. There are also still places available on the post-Symposium  excursion. Please check also the 'Excursions' page for news.

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