{"id":4429,"date":"2025-07-01T09:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T09:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/?p=4429"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T12:14:21","slug":"trip-to-funchal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/trip-to-funchal\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a Trip to Funchal? Don\u2019t Miss Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4429\" class=\"elementor elementor-4429\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30370ee5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"30370ee5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e274b57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e274b57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve spent any time exploring Funchal, you\u2019ve probably looked up and spotted the stone walls of a fortress perched high on the hillside above the city. That\u2019s the Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico\u2014a mouthful of a name for a fortress with a big presence and an even bigger view. Locals often call it \u2018Pico R\u00e1dio\u2019 or Radio Peak, thanks to the antenna towers on site, but don\u2019t let the modern nickname fool you. This place has been keeping watch over Madeira\u2019s capital for centuries.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re into panoramic views, a bit of history, or just looking for a quiet spot away from the crowds, this lesser-visited fort ticks a lot of boxes. It&#8217;s close enough to central Funchal to be convenient, yet far enough above it to give you a sense of escape.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ceaa7a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5ceaa7a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-324e069 elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"324e069\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__324e069\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-519971a0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"519971a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cd0abf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5cd0abf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Historical background of the fortress\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-587ed9da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"587ed9da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico has been standing guard over Funchal since the early 1600s. It was built during a time when pirate attacks were a real concern for coastal towns like this, especially as Madeira became more prominent in Atlantic trade routes. The island needed solid defences\u2014and fast.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Batista do Pico Fort was part of a network of military structures built to keep the island safe. It was constructed during the reign of King Philip I of Portugal (who also happened to be Philip II of Spain\u2014yes, that complicated Iberian union period). The idea was simple: if pirates or foreign navies appeared on the horizon, this fortress could give early warning and a strong line of defence from its high ground position.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the centuries, the fort changed hands, purposes, and even appearances. At one point, it housed troops, stored weapons and gunpowder, and later on, was handed over to the Navy to be used as a communications centre. Hence, the nickname \u2018Radio Peak\u2019. These days, it\u2019s more of a cultural landmark than a military installation, but the atmosphere still carries echoes of its past.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7630f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-google_maps\" data-id=\"f7630f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"google_maps.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed\">\n\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=S%C3%A3o%20Jo%C3%A3o%20Baptista%20do%20Pico&#038;t=m&#038;z=13&#038;output=embed&#038;iwloc=near\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico\"\n\t\t\t><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bceb1c8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bceb1c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb447d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb447d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Architectural features and design\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5d45f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5d45f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you first arrive, what hits you is how compact the S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Batista Fort actually is. It\u2019s not a sprawling, Disney-style castle. It\u2019s a stout, sturdy piece of military architecture, built with function firmly in mind. The fortress is laid out in a roughly square shape, with thick stone walls and angular bastions designed to deflect cannon fire and give defenders a clear line of sight.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A small chapel sits near the centre of the fort; no surprise for a country that rarely separated religion from daily life in the 17th century. The chapel is dedicated, as you might guess, to S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista (Saint John the Baptist). While the interior is modest, there\u2019s something peaceful about it, particularly when it\u2019s quiet and the sunlight filters through the stone.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One feature that makes the fort really distinctive is its positioning. It sits nearly 110 metres above sea level, giving it a strategic vantage point over Funchal Bay. In the days before radar, that elevation was priceless. Today, it\u2019s what gives visitors those unbeatable views over the city.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86f3bb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"86f3bb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-1024x511.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4469\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-1024x511.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-768x383.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico.jpg 1254w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55ac48f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"55ac48f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df16dc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df16dc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Importance in regional defence\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14fdf53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14fdf53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fort&#8217;s elevated position made it a key part of Funchal\u2019s defence network. From here, lookouts could spot ships long before they reached the shore. That gave the city precious time to prepare, whether it meant readying cannons or simply shutting the gates.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico was never the biggest fort on the island, but it was certainly one of the most strategically placed. Alongside other defensive structures like the S\u00e3o Tiago Fortress down by the waterfront, it helped create a layered defence system that proved effective enough to deter many would-be invaders.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its military role gradually faded over time, particularly as naval warfare evolved and threats to Madeira became more sporadic. But the stories it holds of watchful nights, unexpected arrivals, and urgent signals sent down to the city still make it an important historical landmark.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8863042 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8863042\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56ef003 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"56ef003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Visiting the fortress today: what to expect<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af27bce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af27bce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico is open to the public from 10 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. It&#8217;s closed on weekends. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visiting it feels a little bit like discovering a hidden viewpoint only the locals know about. It\u2019s not as crowded as the more obvious tourist attractions, which is part of the appeal. You\u2019ll often find yourself wandering the grounds in near silence, save for the breeze and the occasional squawk of a passing gull.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entry is free, and while there\u2019s not an extensive museum inside, you do get information boards that give you a bit of context. The real treat, though, is the view. From the ramparts, you can see across the red rooftops of Funchal, watch cruise ships pull into the harbour, and if the sky\u2019s clear, follow the coastline all the way towards <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/camara-de-lobos\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C\u00e2mara de Lobos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few shaded spots, a small courtyard with a caf\u00e9, and stone benches for taking a breather. You\u2019ll probably spend less than an hour here, but it\u2019s an hour well spent (especially if you time it with golden hour in the late afternoon).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec0b1e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ec0b1e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-funchal-1024x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4474\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-funchal-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-funchal-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-funchal-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sao-Joao-Baptista-do-Pico-funchal.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86a3cb2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"86a3cb2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cff0b77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cff0b77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Nearby attractions and activities\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d4fcc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d4fcc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being perched right above the city means you&#8217;re only a short distance from some of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/funchal-holidays\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funchal\u2019s best spots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Head downhill and you\u2019ll reach the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/camara-de-lobos\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Old Town<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in about 15\u201320 minutes on foot, passing the Quinta das Cruzes Museum along the way. It\u2019s an 18th-century villa with beautiful gardens that\u2019s home to 500 years of art, ceramic, jewellery and antiques.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re in the mood for more culture, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/funchal-cathedral\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funchal Cathedral<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Madeira Story Centre, and the colourful Mercado dos Lavradores are all nearby and worth exploring. And if you\u2019ve worked up an appetite, you\u2019re spoiled for choice. The Old Town is packed with restaurants offering everything from traditional espetada to fresh seafood and excellent local wine.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back uphill, a short drive will take you to the famous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/blog\/monte-palace-madeira\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monte Palace<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> area, with its gardens and cable car, or to Pico dos Barcelos, another fantastic viewpoint that complements the one at Radio Peak.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68768b0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"68768b0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-231bce1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"231bce1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Plan your visit to Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0f6f75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0f6f75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re a history buff, a fan of quiet viewpoints, or just someone who enjoys discovering spots with a bit of character, the Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico deserves a place on your Madeira itinerary. It\u2019s an easy addition to any Funchal day, offering a rare combination of historical interest and dramatic views in a peaceful atmosphere you won\u2019t always find in the busier parts of the city.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re planning a trip and want a comfortable base nearby, check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Holiday Rentals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From city apartments close to Funchal\u2019s restaurants and markets to villas in the hills with space to stretch out and relax, there\u2019s something to suit every kind of traveller. And from many of our properties, you can even spot Fortaleza de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Baptista do Pico from your terrace. What better way to plan your visit than with a view of it from the start!<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticholidayrentals.com\/holiday-accommodation-funchal\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Browse our range of Funchal properties<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-426b4e9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"426b4e9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve spent any time exploring Funchal, you\u2019ve probably looked up and spotted the stone walls of a fortress perched high on the hillside above the city. 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