Varadouros Old Gate is a stone arch on the seafront side of central Funchal, on Madeira. It is a reconstruction of one of the town's old city gates, built where the original stood; the piece at the top is original stonework. The arch looks out towards the harbour and the ships docking there, and it stands between the port, the waterfront and the market quarter. Most people meet here or pass through on the way to one of the three.
Varadouros Old Gate (City Gates)
The gate is a reconstruction built on the site of the original, but the piece at the top is the original stone.
- Entrance
- Free. The gate stands on a public square with no ticket and no barrier.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance.
- Parking
- Two car parks about 75 m and 133 m away. Both are free of charge and marked as private access.
- Transport
- Bus stop AV Mar Alfândega, about 47 m from the gate.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
What makes it special
Most of what stands here is new. The gate was rebuilt on the spot where the original city gate stood, and only the piece at the top is original stone. The rest is reconstruction, and it does not pretend otherwise.
The arch works less as a monument than as a marker. People use it to find their way to the public market and to the port, and it serves as a meeting point on the Funchal waterfront. The view through it runs to the harbour and the ships coming in. Cafés and bars stand around the square, with seating outside.
Good to know
- Nothing to go inside. The gate is a free-standing arch on an open square. The visit is the arch and the view through it.
- Toilets are not at the gate. The nearest are about 130 m away, and one of the two closest charges for entry.
- Free drinking water. A public water point stands about 100 m from the arch.
- Tourist information nearby. Two information points are within about 60 m of the gate.
- Check the bill. Bars around the square serve drinks with a harbour view; look over the bill before you pay.
Getting there
Varadouros Old Gate stands on the seafront edge of central Funchal, and the last stretch is always on foot. The nearest bus stop, AV Mar Alfândega, is about 45 m from the arch. The two closest car parks are roughly 75 and 130 m away. The gate is open on all sides, so there is no entrance to look for once you reach the square.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this the original city gate?
No. The gate is a reconstruction, built on the same spot as the original. The top piece of the arch is the original stone.What is there to see apart from the arch?
The harbour, with ships coming in, and the waterfront around it. The public market and the port are both close by, and the gate is used as the marker for finding them.Is it worth a trip of its own?
No. It is one arch on a square, best taken in as part of a walk along the Funchal seafront rather than as a destination.Can you visit with children?
Yes. The square is open and public, there is nothing to buy a ticket for and nothing to climb.