Museu Etnográfico da Madeira
Ethnographic museum housed in a former sugar-cane mill and distillery in Ribeira Brava, dedicated to the traditional culture of Madeira.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu Etnográfico da Madeira occupies a former manor house in Ribeira Brava, linked from the early 17th century to the Convento de Santa Clara. In 1710 a chapel dedicated to São José was added to it, and in 1716 the property became subject to an entail (vínculo), which was not abolished until 1860.
In 1853 the building, then in ruins, was turned into an industrial unit with a sugar-cane mill and a distillery. In 1862 the mill began to run on water power, and a few years later two cereal mills were also working there. The combination of cane grinding, spirit distilling and grain milling makes the complex rare in Portugal and in Europe.
The Junta Geral do Distrito Autónomo do Funchal acquired the property in 1974. After the Regional Government decided to create the museum, the rehabilitation project by the architect João Francisco Caires made it possible to open to the public on 15 June 1996. The museum researches, documents, conserves and promotes the traditional culture of Madeira.
Highlights
- Former sugar-cane mill, distillery and cereal mills
- Traditional productive activities: fishing and the cycles of wine, cereals and flax
- Reconstructed traditional kitchen, bedroom and grocery shop
- Collection on the island's traditional transport
- Shop with publications and Madeiran crafts
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente – Shows traditional Madeiran life: productive activities such as fishing and the cycles of wine, cereals and flax, transport, domestic life (kitchen and bedroom) and traditional trade in a grocery shop.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Direção Regional da Cultura da Região Autónoma da Madeira
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 13 to 25 and seniors from age 65 |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 12 · Free admission from 0 to 12 years; from 13 to 25 years the ticket costs €3. |
| Seniors | €3From age 65. |
| Students & apprentices | –Students with a school identity card enter free. |
| Groups (7+ people) | €4 per personPrice per person, for groups of more than 6 people. |
| Families | €10At least one adult and one minor. |
Free admission: All Portuguese citizens are entitled to 52 free admissions per year; admission is also free for residents of Madeira, children up to age 12, students, teachers and other groups provided for in the tariff regulations.
Tariff set by the Regional Directorate for Culture, in force since 1 January 2026.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Madeira tourism webpage mentions access ramps; there is no detailed information on the other accessibility conditions.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses on lines 4, 6, 7, 80, 107, 115, 127, 139 and 146; Via Rápida link between Funchal and Ribeira Brava.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop operates during museum hours and sells publications and Madeiran crafts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The education service runs participatory programmes that connect schools, the museum and the community. |
