We take a short, easy walk to Santa Catarina Park, where things naturally start to slow down. With open views over the marina and the ocean, it’s a great spot to pause, take a breath, and settle into the experience. This is the only gentle incline along the route — the rest of the walk is mostly flat and relaxed. There’s also a small ornamental lake here with ducks and swans, along with a fountain, which adds to the calm, unhurried feel of the place. This is usually where people start to feel more at ease. No pressure, no awkward posing — just space to move around, take in the view, and get comfortable being in front of the camera. I’ll guide you gently so nothing feels forced, and we’ll capture a mix of natural, candid moments along the way. It’s less about “getting the perfect shot” and more about feeling present in the moment, with Funchal quietly unfolding in the background.

From the park, we make our way gently downhill towards the Infante roundabout and onto Avenida Arriaga, where the atmosphere shifts from quiet green space to the soft rhythm of the city. This part of the walk blends leafy squares with open streets, giving us a mix of natural and urban backdrops. As we pass through, there are plenty of easy, unforced moments to capture — walking shots, small pauses, and in-between frames that often end up being favourites. We then step into the Municipal Garden, a calm pocket in the middle of the city, filled with trees, shaded paths, and a slower pace. It’s a nice contrast to the open views of the park, and another chance to move around freely while we continue capturing relaxed, natural images. By this point, most people have fully settled in — it starts to feel less like being photographed and more like simply enjoying the walk.

From the Municipal Garden, we continue along Avenida Arriaga to some of Funchal’s most recognizable landmarks. Just a few minutes’ walk brings us to the Zarco Statue, a tribute to one of the island’s first explorers, where the open space makes a great spot for relaxed, natural shots. A very short walk from here brings us to the Sé Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in the city. If a service isn’t taking place, we may step inside briefly. The interior is peaceful, with the ornate Mudéjar cedar-wood ceiling. Feel free to take casual photos; formal setups aren’t encouraged. We don’t rush this part or turn it into a history stop. Instead, we capture moments as you move through the space, take things in, and stay present. By now, being in front of the camera usually feels effortless — it’s less about where you are and more about how you’re experiencing it.

From the Sé Cathedral, we trace back to the Zarco crossing and head down toward the marina, crossing the street and continuing to the end of the pier, where you get a fantastic vantage point of the city and harbor. From there, we move down to the docking area, where on clear days you can spot schools of fish swimming in the water — a small, surprising detail that often delights visitors. The walk continues to the iconic Madeira sign for photos, where the flag adds a fun, memorable touch. Throughout this section, we move at a relaxed pace, giving you space to pause, take in the sights, and capture candid, effortless moments along the way.

From the Madeira sign, we head toward Praça do Autonomia for a brief vantage point over the city. The walk continues down alongside the pebble beach at Funchal Bay, leading us to São Tiago Fort. We first explore behind the fort, near the shore, where swimmers and sunbathers add life to the scene, before stepping inside the fort’s courtyard for a few distinctive photos against its historic walls. After the fort, we stroll along Santa Maria Street, famous for its cafés, restaurants, and vibrant painted doors. This colorful street offers playful, memorable photo opportunities and a real sense of Funchal’s local character. Throughout this section, we move at a relaxed pace, giving you space to pause, take in the surroundings, and capture candid, effortless moments along the way.