The Fort of São Tiago stands at the eastern end of the Zona Velha, where it has guarded the harbor since the early 17th century. Its thick yellow walls and round towers have been restored and today the interior houses the Contemporary Art Museum of Funchal, with a permanent collection of 20th-century Portuguese work. But the fort itself is the main attraction.
Walk up to the battlements for a view back along the seafront toward the Marina, and down to the old harbor below. The location is excellent at sunset, and the surrounding streets in the Zona Velha fill with restaurants and bars as the evening comes on. The fort sits at the point where the Zona Velha meets the sea, making it a natural end point for a walk through the old town.