Madeira - Funchal or elsewhere?

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

We are hoping to go to Madeira next year.
I'd welcome your thoughts about where to base ourselves.

We will be going for at least a week, maybe longer.
All adults, no children.

We enjoy walking and sightseeing.
We would want to be able to walk to a variety of restaurants in the evenings, generally prefer somewhere different every night.
Also like nice bars before/after dinner but don't need nightclubs.

Funchal seems like the obvious choice but would welcome other suggestions for other places to consider.

We may hire a car but depends where we end up staying and how easy it is to travel around from there.

Also any recommendations for fabulous hotels (in Funchal or elsewhere) would be very welcome. We would like somewhere with lovely outside space to sit, ideally a pool but as we may go in Spring it might not be warm enough so not essential if it has gardens.
We like a decent sized bedroom with some personal outside space (balcony or patio).
I know sometimes you need to be outside the main towns to fulfil that brief, we're happy to keep an open mind.
Would consider self catering (I prefer it in someways so we can sort our own light breakfasts, and lunches on days we stay local, and eat out in the evenings.)

Help with any or all of the above much appreciated.
Thanks

[Wombat49]

Madeira is lovely, walking is great.

I'd stick to Funchal if you want to wander about in the evenings and chill. We went to the other side of the island as well and it's quieter.

[ChristopherTracy]

Really depends on your budget. Most of the hotels will have heated pools anyway, certainly in spring it will be warm enough to swim. Most will have balconies as well.

Bed and breakfast is a good idea in Funchal as there's so much restaurant choice.

Villas are actually very reasonable in Funchal but you'll ay extra for a heated pool. OurMadeira are a good starting point there.

[Lonoxo]

We travelled around by car and it was well worth it. There’s Little night life outside of Funchal. Absolutely loved Porto Moniz. For walks, might be worth researching levadas.

[Georgyporky]

We've been twice, stayed at an hotel just outside Funchal .

Didn't bother with a car, we both need to relax on holiday.
The buses are good, & organised day tours are quite cheap.
There's also a HoHo bus

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Thank you all

Didn't bother with a car, we both need to relax on holiday.The buses are good, & organised day tours are quite cheap

If we can get around by public transport, happy not to hire a car but we don't find it stressful if car needed to visit some remote places. Not a big fan of organised tours as we find it frustrating to have the time scheduled for us, where we have to stop off, how long we can stay etc but wouldn't rule them out as a means to visit places we couldn't otherwise.

[FrownedUpon]

Funchal is great for just chilling in bars and going for dinner. I’d definitely base yourselves walking distance from the centre of Funchal.

We enjoyed having drinks at the Beerhouse which is on a pier so you can sit and look out to sea. It also does food.

We got buses around the island for walking. We did an organised levada walk which was great.

[ComingtoKent]

I've been to Madeira twice, stayed in Funchal both times and can recommend both hotels. Both are about 20 minutes walk into the town centre for bars and restaurants, there are also lots of options closer to the hotels.

Quinta da Casa Branca has a lovely garden and a couple of swimming pools. We were there in March and had one quick dip in a rather nippy pool! A combination of modern buildings and the old Manor House - we were upgraded to a suite in the manor house which was fabulous. It had a balcony, which led from the landing rather than the suite, but was large. Food was good and a nice bar overlooking the garden.

More recently we stayed at the Cliff Bay, which is right on the seafront with an indoor and outdoor pool and lots of different sitting areas. Great views of Funchal Bay and massive beds (superior bay view room). Also a balcony to enjoy the views. This visit was in September and we found the pool temperature fine.

Overall we preferred the Cliff Bay because of the views, but both hotels were lovely.

We hired a car both times and loved exploring the island, some stunning scenery and interesting towns/villages to discover. We like the freedom of having the car.

One last thing - we had a day out on a boat with Happy Hour on our last trip, which was really great. Saw dolphins, swam from the boat and got a new view of the amazing coastline. I would recommend them.

I hope that helps - we're definitely going back!

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Thank you @ComingtoKent very helpful, appreciated.

[Sexnotgender]

I’ve stayed at the Porto Mare several times and it’s lovely.
I’d say a car isn’t essential. Taxis are plentiful and pretty reasonable.
The tour buses are great. I’d also recommend a trip out dolphin/whale watching.

[RampantIvy]

We have been to Madeira twice, the last time in 2019. We stayed in the old town and preferred it as a location to where we stayed before where all the more modern hotels are.

We found loads of restaurants within walking distance, and were within easy walking distance of the cable car.

I would highly recommend a whale watching boat trip. It really was the highlight of the holiday. Also, look out for all the cats.

I loved Madeira both times, but the weather was better the second time we went (mid May).

[CurbsideProphet]

We had a lovely honeymoon at Quinta Jardins Do Lago a few years ago. Beautiful gardens and pool. Very nice staff and breakfast every morning on the patio. From memory every room has a balcony. The hotel isn't right in the centre which we preferred as the grounds felt very spacious and the views were amazing. There was also a pasteleria 30 seconds walk away that was so reasonable and the pastel de nata were lush.

Funchal is lovely to walk around. I would say it's easier to stay there and go for days out. We had a great day out with Hit The Road Madeira. You can plan your own day with them. Other guests at the hotel told us they just use normal taxis and negotiate a rate for a day.

We didn't race around too much but the cable car goes straight up from Funchal to Monty's Palace which has lovely gardens. Pico de Aeiro wasn't too far and had amazing views. Camara de Lobos just along the coast was beautiful.

Everyone is always surprised that we went to Madeira but we loved it. When we eventually go abroad again we will definitely go back.

[RampantIvy]

Other guests at the hotel told us they just use normal taxis and negotiate a rate for a day.

We did that last time as neither of us wanted to drive. It was really worth it.

[Simplelobsterhat]

We went on our honeymoon which was a decade ago now.
We stayed in Quinta de casa branca as mentioned above - beautiful gardens and terraces or balconies. Loved it.

Funchal is big so lots of choice to eat out in different areas and plenty to see - gardens, cable car, dolphin watching boat trips etc.

We hired a car for a few days and enjoyed exploring the whole island and different viewpoints. Got rained on a lot though!

Can't comment on anywhere else to stay as we mostly went to less built up areas when outside funchal. We suspect have an evening meal in Camera de Lobos, just along the coast from Funchal, but can't remember how much choice there was.

[ChristopherTracy]

You can use Bolt now as well - much cheaper than the yellow taxis.

[Pootles34]

Agree on the dolphin tours - we went with vip tours, not cheap but the boat was lovely, they looked after us so well and they had a marine biologist on board to explain about the different species we saw.

Monte Palace gardens are really wonderful, there's an excellent little restaurant at the top by the cable car called Land.

I agree Funchal is your best bet, somewhere in the old town. We stayed in one of the enormous modern hotels to the west of funchal, fabulous views and our own balcony but doesn't sound like the location is quite right for you - we had to drive to the centre.

[ChristopherTracy]

You can walk to the centre from the lido in about 20 mins though and the local buses are continuous, plus lots of those hotels have free shuttles. I wouldnt discount just because the rooms, pools and sea views are much better out there.

[Mindymomo]

We stayed at The Rui Palace in Costa Caletta, also the hotel next door twice. They ran free courtesy buses into Funchal. We really love Madeira.

[RampantIvy]

This is where we stayed.
We just did bed and breakfast because an important part of our holiday is being able to try the various restaurants.

Location-wise it was brilliant.

[Franklin12]

Yes to the Cliff Bay too. Happy Hour is a bargain and we splashed out on a superior room which gave us access to the Michelin starred restaurant for breakfast which I really liked.

I also stayed at Casa Branca. Very nice but on reflection the Cliff Bay was more buzzy.

Try the Fork website for great discounts on eating out and I would recommend Cris's Place just around the corner from the Cliff Bay.

I thought Maderia would be full of old people but it isnt and were welcoming tourists (and not trying to rip you off). They also didnt require a covid test on the way out as long as you were double jabbed.

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

So many lovely suggestions, thank you all

[notsignedupforthis]

Christmas in Funchal is fabulous. We just did the B&B thing as there are so many places to eat. The Turim Santa Maria was a lovely place. Clean friendly and the breakfasts were excellent.
I will definitely be going back, there is so much to see. The cable cars are great and the botanical gardens are beautiful.

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

@notsignedupforthis

Christmas in Funchal is fabulous. We just did the B&B thing as there are so many places to eat. The Turim Santa Maria was a lovely place. Clean friendly and the breakfasts were excellent.
I will definitely be going back, there is so much to see. The cable cars are great and the botanical gardens are beautiful.

Ooh hadn't thought about winter, we were planning on spring.... but having read your post, might keep an eye on the weather earlier !

[PissyMum]

I completely agree with @ComingtoKent about Cliff Bay. I stayed there earlier this year and it’s beautiful. Really, really decent food too and not too pricey.

[RampantIvy]

we were planning on spring

Try and go when the flowers festival is on. It is brilliant. The first time we went was at the end of April so we say the parade as well as the displays. The second time was the middle of May and they still had the displays. They really are worth seeing.

[JosiahJosiahKate]

www.castanheiroboutiquehotel.com/

This is a lovely hotel. The rooms are lovely and the rooftop pool has the most beautiful views. It's very central.

We've stayed in Madeira 4 times and are going back at Christmas for NYE.
The wine bar opposite the casino is fabulous and La Vaca Negra serves the best steak I've ever had.

Funchal is a wonderful place for a holiday.