I visited the Convento de Santa Clara in February 2008, at which time the entrance fee was only EU 2.00. You are taken on a tour of the buildings rather than being allowed to wander around individually. Postcards available but you may need to ask if you don't spot them in the little room where you get your ticket!

The Church is very ornate. It's walls are entirely covered in azulejos tiles, the wooden ceiling is painted in decorative colours and patterns, and there is plenty of decoration, gold trimmings, frames, paintings etc. Though it was a little dark inside when I went, and as a result my camera couldn't really capture it realistically. In the past the nuns had their own section of the church during services and we were told that there are tiles on the floor here which date back to the 15th century. In some of the upstairs rooms various artifacts and treasures were amassed for restoration. I found the black Madonna painting hanging in one of the chapels an unexpected and very interesting feature.

The cloisters and courtyard are lovely, and the overall atmosphere was charming. Especially as it was a sunny day so even the stone seemed warm and inviting! I think it helps that this is still a living, breathing place, where the nuns are very much part of the local community. They run a nursery school here for some 200 kids, so the children's artwork fights for attention among the antique fittings and paintings. There are some lovely views over Funchal and to the sea from the convent balconies too.