True Madeira

Field notes from Madeira, kept by one local.

Funchal

Forte de São Tiago

The yellow walls of Forte de São Tiago above a pebble beach in Funchal at golden hour, people sitting on the stones
Forte de São Tiago at sunset, November 2025
The fort of São Tiago in Funchal's old town seen at dusk
Forte de São Tiago at dusk, June 2026

The 17th-century Forte de São Tiago stands over the pebble beach at the edge of Funchal’s old town. As of this page’s last check, the fort itself is temporarily closed, with access permitted only to the restaurant inside its walls; the facts block below carries the ticket prices for when it reopens, and this page will be updated once it does.

The practical facts

Current status
The fort is temporarily closed; access is permitted only to the Restaurante do Forte. Source: Cultura Madeira - Fortaleza de São Tiago · verified 2026-09-15
Address
Rua do Portão de São Tiago, 9060-250 Funchal. Source: Cultura Madeira - Fortaleza de São Tiago · verified 2026-09-15
Cost (when open)
Adult €10.00, youth 13-25 €5.00, senior 65+ €5.00, family (1 adult + 1 minor) €18.00. Source: Cultura Madeira - Fortaleza de São Tiago · verified 2026-09-15
Ticket includes
Entry also covers the ruins of the Fort of São Filipe, now the Madeira Archaeology Museum. Source: Cultura Madeira - Fortaleza de São Tiago · verified 2026-09-15

Sources and last verified