Madeira Feb

[amiw]

Going to Madeira for a week in early February- any must sees/dos/haves? Have been looking on tripadvisor etc but wondered if anyone here has been and can recommend?

Hi there we went in November
Stayed in Pestana casino which was fabulous
We did a tour of the island which was lovely
We did the coming down in baskets thang
Long walk when the baskets dropped us off everyone complained their legs hurt for days after the very steep downhill walk.
There's not much going on with regard to night life but we did have some nice dinners out in funchal
We did the blandys Madeira tour I wouldn't recommend it
A Levado wall would be great to do

Thank you plotholes

I agree with the cable car up and the baskets down! I would suggest a taxi from the end point to save your legs!
Levada walks are good.
The fish market is good to have a look at - the tuna is huge!
The brewery is good for beer and sandwiches. The mussel restaurant is yum!
Green Devil Safari do various jeep tours which is good fun. We did one that included a trip to the Sunday market.

Lunch here. Or overnight if you can. A little piece of heaven on earth. fajadospadres.com/faja/index.php/en/

It's a very easy island to explore by car, and well worth exploring. We did a food tour in Funchal which was fab, and a day-long jeep tour. It's a beautiful island.

A trip on the Madeira Green Train to the glass floor.

Last time I tried to land in Madeira in February, the weather was so appalling that we couldn't land. Made several attempts in dreadful conditions. Had to land on nearby island and stay in closed up hotel for the night. Nightmare. Attempted landing next day again but still couldn't land so flew back to Faro and then home to wring airport. Car at the other airport. Also had a baby through all this.

Sorry realised that's not what you're looking for just still so bitter about that holiday. No travel insurance would pay out either.

Whereabouts are you staying, OP? We’ve just come back.

@ourkidmolly - that can happen any time of year - the day before we flew home, no flights landed because of the weather (which was perfectly lovely in Funchal). It's just one of those airports which is very affected by those kind of things. Sounds like a nightmare trip though - can't believe they sent you home again, or didn't ferry you over from Porto Santo (assume that's where you landed - that's where they usually divert flights to when the airport is closed).

Bookmarking for trip in March (little pre Brexit jaunt, just in case our passports stop working ).

We will be based in Funchal so any advice re nice fish restaurants welcome , also tips on getting around without a car -local buses or stick with cabs?

Taberna Madeira (in the old town - off the main drag) was fab - lovely tapas-style dishes alongside the main menu.

Really recommend doing a food tour, if food is your thing - we did one with Madeira Food on Foot.

We used cabs to get back to our Quinta at night (because we didn't want to walk up the hills!), but don't know about buses. Driving was super-easy though - might be worth getting a car for a day or 2 if you want to explore.

We hired a car from a small place in the old town (€85 for three days- no deposit) and had a look around the island this time.
We always use Airbnbs in the old town too.

Try Riso, the risotto restaurant near to the Fort. I had an olive risotto topped with grilled parrot fish the other night- it was really tasty.

There’s a little Portuguese/Italian restaurant on the side street opposite the Ritz. I can’t remember the name, but there’s a moustache on the sign; that’s good too.

For great value scabbardfish with rustic chips and a really good salad, the tiny place with only outdoor tables (they provide blankets when it’s chilly) opposite the Chinese in the old town. The menu has film star references on it, but look to the specials board. Cheap, cheerful- long wait but cheap wine- there’s one elderly lady doing the cooking and she’s great, but takes her time .

I love Madeira, and especially Funchal. I love the way the hillside buildings turn golden in the sunset. I love the way that stray dogs and cats are a collective responsibility. I’ve been twice in the last two months, and can’t wait to go back.

Thanks for the suggestions, very helpful.

Absolutely loved Madeira. We were in Funchal specifically.

In addition to the cable cars mentioned above, the Catamaran trips to see the sea life, and go round the island were magical.

Also a chance to swim in the sea for those interested and brave enough to venture in from the boat.

The Madeira wine is divine and the non-alcoholic Maracuja juice is just heavenly.

As per another poster can't wait to go back! Would recommend.

Basket things are awesome. We also did a tour which was good, included the salt water pool which was brill

We went sea kayaking with Madeira Radical. There was quite a swell that day- I loved it, DH not so much 🤢.

I like dry Madeira wine best!

The painted doorways in the old town are fantastic.

We went on a dolphin spotting cruise. Saw loads of schools of different ones. Was great.

Probably a bit cool for swimming unless you find a heated pool.

Thank you everyone. Staying in a villa in Arco de Calheta but have a car booked! And travel insurance ourkidmolly will check what is covered. What happened to you sounds proper pants

The walk along the corniche is great. You can walk all the way to Camino dos Lobos (I think it's called) where Churchill painted. Lapas (rock mussels) are amazing. The Forum Madeira has some good cheap restaurants and a supermarket. The bolo do caco (bread made with white sweet potatoes, smothered in garlic butter) is a treat beyond treats. There's a village we visited that made amazing treats with chestnut flour. The wooded slopes of the volcano are amazing. Scented with eucalyptus and stuffed with flowering mimosas.