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Praia de São Tiago
Small pebble cove in the historic Zona Velha, tucked under the Fortaleza de São Tiago. The only central-Funchal beach widely accepted as dog-friendly outside the peak summer ban.
🐾 Leashed dogs widely tolerated October–April; in summer (1 May–30 September) municipal signage prohibits pets on the bathing zone, but the eastern pebble end and the fortress steps remain dog-accessible.
💡 The pebbles get scorching from 11:00 in summer; bring booties for thin-pawed breeds or stick to the shaded fortress-stairs section.
