Fort of São Tiago
Definitly the most iconic landmark in Funchal with a long history of defience against all odds.
Area
Funchal
Type
Fortress
Entrance Fees
No Entrence Fee
Good To Know
Welcome to the Fortress of São Tiago, where history meets sea views in Funchal's Old Town! Built in the 17th century to fend off pesky pirates, this fortress has seen more action than a blockbuster movie set.
Imagine construction kicking off in 1614, with Reais Jerónimo Jorge leading the charge. His son Bartolomeu João took over, and voila! We've got ourselves a fortress fit for a king... or at least some swashbuckling soldiers.
But this place isn't just about cannons and defense—it's had more makeovers than a reality TV star! From British troops crashing here to being a flood shelter in 1803, it's seen it all. And let's not forget its coolest role yet: turning into a Contemporary Art Museum in 1992. Talk about a glow-up!
Today, you can stroll through history while soaking in epic views of the Atlantic. It's like a time warp with a killer backdrop. So grab your camera and your sense of adventure, because a trip to the Fortress of São Tiago is like hitting the jackpot—minus the pirates!
Opening Hours
The Fortress can be visited and admired from the outside and inside, or you can book a dinner at the RESTAURANTE DO FORTE located inside of its walls.
Monday: 10:00 - 13:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 13:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 13:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 13:00
Friday: 10:00 - 13:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 13:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 13:00
Opening hours might be different on holidays. We advise you to always call and check if the restaurant is open.
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes it's not so easy to find the exact location of the Sight. That's why we've included the GPS coordinates.
32.646969315422176
-16.898921280442526
