Sao Tiago Fort
Sao Tiago Fort
3.5
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3.5
435 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
143
Average
151
Poor
44
Terrible
8
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The Gluten Free Wanderer
Surrey, UK351 contributions
Jan 2020
Our guidebook listed this fort as a 'free place for families to enjoy' so we were very surprised when we were accosted at the gate and asked to pay admission.
We declined (as it seems to be just a fort with restaurants inside) it, and instead walked around to see more of the surrounding areas, which are very pretty. There's a nice promenade outside a little church on top a cliff right at the back of the fort which is nicer.
We declined (as it seems to be just a fort with restaurants inside) it, and instead walked around to see more of the surrounding areas, which are very pretty. There's a nice promenade outside a little church on top a cliff right at the back of the fort which is nicer.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roontevez
Southampton, UK5 contributions
May 2024 • Family
We booked a golden package deal at the Fort to be picked up in the Plymouth vintage car, taken to the restaurant, wined and dined and then returned to our hotel in the same car.
It was booked on the Sunday to go later in the week and to be picked up at 19:00 for a 19:30 reservation.
On the day we were ready by 18:50 for the pick up and waited outside as instructed. By 19:15 nothing had arrived so I asked at reception and was told that the car was delayed in traffic.
19:30 came and went still nothing. Reception called the restaurant and was told the car was on its way.
At about 19:40 we saw a different car go past with clients in. Shortly afterwards the same car came back and parked across the road (extremely busy) and the driver beckoned us over. By then we were pretty cheesed off and told him to come over.
When he did he told us that the car we had requested had a broken engine and this had been the case for the last two weeks.
By now nearly an hour late we told him to forget it and we would not be going.
We also reported this situation to our hotel reception who agreed that that this was an unacceptable incident.
We are unable to comment on the food as we never got there
It was booked on the Sunday to go later in the week and to be picked up at 19:00 for a 19:30 reservation.
On the day we were ready by 18:50 for the pick up and waited outside as instructed. By 19:15 nothing had arrived so I asked at reception and was told that the car was delayed in traffic.
19:30 came and went still nothing. Reception called the restaurant and was told the car was on its way.
At about 19:40 we saw a different car go past with clients in. Shortly afterwards the same car came back and parked across the road (extremely busy) and the driver beckoned us over. By then we were pretty cheesed off and told him to come over.
When he did he told us that the car we had requested had a broken engine and this had been the case for the last two weeks.
By now nearly an hour late we told him to forget it and we would not be going.
We also reported this situation to our hotel reception who agreed that that this was an unacceptable incident.
We are unable to comment on the food as we never got there
Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
singhasam
Weymouth, UK4,076 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
THERE is an old saying that first impressions count and our first impression of Sao Tiago Fort was that it had fallen on hard times.
The site is also known as the Yellow Fort because of its yellow walls, but the authorities must have run out of paint because all the walls were peeling, blotched or had completely lost their yellow colour.
The result was a sort of blotched leprous look which, what a surprise, does not match the tourist literature and photos put about to attract visitors.
Entry is free and there is enough about the site to make it worth a visit but it could be so much better.
Views from the upper walkway towards the cruise ship terminal are good as are those out over the city, but internally so much more needs to be done.
More information boards are needed and perhaps a video screen showing the Fort's place down through history from its building in the early 17th century to the present day.
There are few displays, basically just the walls with ramparts, and I saw more attempts made to attract visitors to the restaurant than I did for this historical attraction.
It occupies such a prominent position but is treated so shabbily that I definitely feel Madeira is missing an opportunity.
Improve the site, charge E5 entry and Sao Tiago Fort will be able to reap the restoration benefits it is currently missing.
The site is also known as the Yellow Fort because of its yellow walls, but the authorities must have run out of paint because all the walls were peeling, blotched or had completely lost their yellow colour.
The result was a sort of blotched leprous look which, what a surprise, does not match the tourist literature and photos put about to attract visitors.
Entry is free and there is enough about the site to make it worth a visit but it could be so much better.
Views from the upper walkway towards the cruise ship terminal are good as are those out over the city, but internally so much more needs to be done.
More information boards are needed and perhaps a video screen showing the Fort's place down through history from its building in the early 17th century to the present day.
There are few displays, basically just the walls with ramparts, and I saw more attempts made to attract visitors to the restaurant than I did for this historical attraction.
It occupies such a prominent position but is treated so shabbily that I definitely feel Madeira is missing an opportunity.
Improve the site, charge E5 entry and Sao Tiago Fort will be able to reap the restoration benefits it is currently missing.
Written 17 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Relax537238
1 contribution
July 2024 • Friends
What has happened???
Lovely friendly staff,
Lots of flowing wine but the food!!!
No vegetarian starters had to choose a pasta dish/
Tiniest piece of chicken on a squirt of mayonnaise compliments of the chef!! Really?
Spinach gnocchi i can only describe as battle ship grey and totally and utterly tasteless !!
Such a shame has really gone down hill from our last visit can’t recommend and wont be returning!
Lovely friendly staff,
Lots of flowing wine but the food!!!
No vegetarian starters had to choose a pasta dish/
Tiniest piece of chicken on a squirt of mayonnaise compliments of the chef!! Really?
Spinach gnocchi i can only describe as battle ship grey and totally and utterly tasteless !!
Such a shame has really gone down hill from our last visit can’t recommend and wont be returning!
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
Devon, UK27,683 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
Saturday 26th June and we walked along the promenade, in Funchal, to visit this old Fort.
It is known as Fort of São Tiago ( Fort of Saint James). A definite landmark along the seafront and the mustard coloured walls and minarets make it more obvious.
When we got to the Fort we were surprised to find, assuming locals, using the space in front of the Fort as a place for sunbathing. There were a large number of people with their towels spread out over the concrete. Some were jumping off into the sea.
We did walk around trying to find the entrance, all we found was a locked gate. The Fort itself looked a bit grotty, in places the walls were covered in something resembling a black mildew.
Did not really like this part of the City found it a bit run down.
Having said that the other side of the Fort was a very nice area with Praia da Barreirinha and Igreja de Santiago Menor
It is known as Fort of São Tiago ( Fort of Saint James). A definite landmark along the seafront and the mustard coloured walls and minarets make it more obvious.
When we got to the Fort we were surprised to find, assuming locals, using the space in front of the Fort as a place for sunbathing. There were a large number of people with their towels spread out over the concrete. Some were jumping off into the sea.
We did walk around trying to find the entrance, all we found was a locked gate. The Fort itself looked a bit grotty, in places the walls were covered in something resembling a black mildew.
Did not really like this part of the City found it a bit run down.
Having said that the other side of the Fort was a very nice area with Praia da Barreirinha and Igreja de Santiago Menor
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sellest
Bushey, UK4,905 contributions
Sept 2021
We were in Funchal last week so took a little walk to Sao Tiago Fort. It’s mustard coloured walls are certainly different and it is worth having a quick wander round and to take some photos – but literally only spent about 15 minutes here. I would not go out of my way to visit but worth having a wander round if you are passing.
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Azul63
Milan, Italy319 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
At the bottom of the main street of the old area, this fortress is a bit snubbed. we took a look and then went to the beautiful pebble beach where there is a small bar on the sea frequented practically only by locals, who also venture to swim. Very nice, even to live some local life.
Automatically translated
Written 7 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holger B
Gensingen, Germany651 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The small fortress is located at the end of the Funchal waterfront.
We were only able to see it to a limited extent because Siegerland was being renovated,
but it looks quite nice. If you walk past the back you get a great view.
We were only able to see it to a limited extent because Siegerland was being renovated,
but it looks quite nice. If you walk past the back you get a great view.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack B
8 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Picked up in a classic car and driven round town. 5 courses with bottomless wine - great selection of dishes. Really friendly waiters and stunning location. A truly special and memorable night.
Only area to improve was to have alcohol free wine for my pregnant wife but we were given a premium dish to make up for this.
I don't know how there are negative reviews. All boxes ticked: food, location, service, ambience!
Only area to improve was to have alcohol free wine for my pregnant wife but we were given a premium dish to make up for this.
I don't know how there are negative reviews. All boxes ticked: food, location, service, ambience!
Written 25 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarAway32679904494
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
The location is amazing. The service is good. We chose the gastronomic tour. Mostly v good. Lots of good wine with the food. I enjoyed most of it but my husband struggled with some dishes. I think the other menu was better value . The food was interesting but not great. Dessert on menu was not available and we selected from main menu. Average. Petit fours was not worth mentioning. Service good but there was no one who seemed interested in what we thought of the food. All a bit blasé. That said, we had a good night but could have been great .
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much is there to see at the fort and how long do I need to allow for a visit?
Written 1 May 2019
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