Funchal is the capital city of the Portuguese autonomous region of Madeira, situated on the southern coast of the island. The city rises from the Atlantic seafront up steep volcanic slopes, creating a dramatic natural amphitheatre. As the administrative and economic heart of the archipelago, Funchal is home to the regional government, the University of Madeira, and is served by the nearby Madeira Cristiano-Ronaldo Airport.
Living in Funchal is significantly more expensive than the average for Portugal. The housing stock is heavily concentrated in São Martinho, which holds far more of the city's homes than any other district and has prices just above the city average. In contrast, the small district of São Gonçalo contains very little of the housing but is by far the most expensive area to buy a home, with prices nearly three times the city average. More affordable housing can be found in inland districts like Santo António, where prices sit well below the average for Funchal.
