Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Portugal. Portugal is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Tue, 23 Dec 2025
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Is Funchal safe? 🇵🇹
Portugal · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Funchal scores 90/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Funchal is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with very low violent crime and reliable emergency services. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Funchal 🇵🇹
Portugal · Assessed 19 October 2026
90
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime87/100GoodCrime index 19.5 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability80Good
Health89Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. Wildfires in Portugal There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:48:00Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Portugal: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:35:23.8043068-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
106k residents
86
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Portugal0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
96
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging or armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare, limited to isolated cases in poorly lit peripheral areas after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded tourist zones such as the historic centre, cruise-ship terminals and during festivals, especially during peak summer evenings.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel89Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe exploring Funchal day and night, citing low violent crime and a welcoming local population, with safety highest in well-patrolled areas like the historic heart and modern hotel zone.
Yes. Funchal is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with very low violent crime and reliable emergency services.
Funchal maintains exceptionally low crime rates, with a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k and minimal violent crime reported. Petty theft like pickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded tourist zones such as the historic centre and cruise-ship terminals, while scams target tourists in areas like Mercado dos Lavradores and airport taxi queues. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone during daylight and at night in well-patrolled areas.
Recent developments
- May 2026Fire destroyed the third floor of a tourist accommodation in Funchal— Madeira Island News Blog
- Jul 2026A man suspected of shoplifting continues to operate in Funchal, causing concern among shopkeepers— Madeira Island News Blog
- Sep 2026PCP organized a horn-honking protest against fuel price increases in Funchal— Madeira Island News Blog
Common scams
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxis at Funchal Airport
- Restaurant bill inflation with undisclosed extras in Zona Velha
- Fake tour operators near Mercado dos Lavradores
Full briefing
Funchal remains exceptionally safe for visitors, with violent crime virtually non-existent and emergency services reliable. The historic centre (Zona Velha) is well-patrolled and well-lit, making it secure for evening exploration despite occasional street vendors. The modern hotel zone along the coast benefits from regular police patrols and 24-hour security at most establishments, contributing to its reputation as the safest area in the city. Pickpocketing remains the primary concern, concentrated in crowded spots like the cruise-ship terminals and Mercado dos Lavradores during festivals or peak summer evenings, though overall risk stays low. Recent incidents include a May 2026 fire at a tourist accommodation and ongoing shoplifting reports in July 2026, both localized and not indicative of broader safety trends. Visitors consistently report feeling safe walking alone, particularly in daylight, with safety perceptions reinforced by the city's low homicide rate and minimal violent crime. To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or pre-booked transfers from Funchal Airport, where unlicensed drivers target tourists; keep valuables concealed in busy areas like the old town; and always verify prices and request itemized bills in restaurants, especially in Zona Velha, where undisclosed extras can inflate bills. These precautions address the main risks without undermining the city's overall safety for travelers.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Funchal districts for visitors: 4 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Funchal safety map.
Centro Comercial (around Sé Cathedral)cautionVery safe during business hours with good CCTV; quieter at night but generally secure with occasional patrols.
Santa Maria Maior (uphill residential)cautionUphill area; generally safe but less foot traffic after dark—stay alert on poorly lit streets.
Mercado dos Lavradores areacautionBusy market zone; pickpocketing risk moderate in crowds, especially during peak tourist hours.
Peripheral areas near Madeira Airport (FNC)cautionUnlicensed taxis and overcharging target tourists at arrivals; use official transport only.
Zona Velha (Old Town)saferWell-patrolled historic centre with good lighting and heavy foot traffic; very safe for evening exploration.
Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses (waterfront)saferModern hotel and resort area with excellent infrastructure, regular police patrols, and 24-hour security at most establishments.
São Pedro (west Funchal)saferResidential zone with low crime; popular with families and considered safe day and night.
São Martinho (east Funchal)saferWell-developed eastern district with hotels and amenities; regular patrols and minimal crime reported.
07 · After Dark
Is Funchal safe at night?
Mugging or armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare, limited to isolated cases in poorly lit peripheral areas after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Centro Comercial (around Sé Cathedral), Santa Maria Maior (uphill residential), Mercado dos Lavradores area, Peripheral areas near Madeira Airport (FNC). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Funchal safety FAQ (2026)
Is Funchal safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Funchal is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with very low violent crime and reliable emergency services. Funchal maintains exceptionally low crime rates, with a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k and minimal violent crime reported. Petty theft like pickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded tourist zones such as the historic centre and cruise-ship terminals, while scams target tourists in areas like Mercado dos Lavradores and airport taxi queues. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone during daylight and at night in well-patrolled areas. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Funchal safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Funchal report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Funchal should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Funchal (2026)?
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxis at Funchal Airport
- Restaurant bill inflation with undisclosed extras in Zona Velha
- Fake tour operators near Mercado dos Lavradores
How does Funchal compare with other places in Portugal (2026)?
Funchal ranks #2 of 9 Portugal destinations we've assessed, scoring 90/100. See the Portugal safety overview for the full list.
How is this funchal safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: funchal.json (CC BY 4.0).