Sign in with Facebook
Estrada de Sao Roque, Funchal, 9200-126, Portugal
of people enjoy staying here
6 Opinions
Funchal - Madeira
Front façade of Se Cathedral.
the old man of Dublin goes to Madeira
Fortaleza de Sao Tiago
We're in Funchal one day in November....on a Saturday.
I know we could walk around on our own, take the cable, visit Monte, do the toboggan down, visit the market and a wine lodge, have lunch and spend a leisurely
day. Another option is to hire a private taxi for 3-4 hours and still do a few of the above.
A third choice is to go touring for the entire day with Strawberry World Tours.
They offer East OR West:
BEST OF THE WEST - Full Day Tour € 29 per person
This tour departs from the Monumental Lido 09.00 hrs - Camara de Lobos - Cabo Girão - Ribeira Brava - Encumeada - São Vicente - Seixal - Porto Moniz - Paúl da Serra - Bica da Cana - Return to Monumental Lido
BEST OF THE EAST - Full Day Tour € 29 per person
This tour departs from the Monumental Lido 09.00 hrs - Camacha - Poiso - Pico do Arieiro -Ribeiro Frio - Santana - Faial - Porto da Cruz - Portela - Ponta São Lourenço - Santa Cruz Return to Monumental Lido
ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW TO BEST SPEND THE DAY?????
Thanks,
Karen
Hi
I would stay in Funchal there is lots of nice things to see for a day. Try to look at the Funchal page here on VT it will give an idea of things to do.
;-) Have fun
If you've got a good few hours to a full day, it would be more fun and make good travel sense to try to see more of Madeira than just hanging out in Funchal. Take a tour or you could very well design a tour on your own to areas that would interest you most by hiring a private cab/driver at your own pace and schedule. Consult the main tourist office in Funchal and they'd be glad to offer sensible advice. The small fishing villages, hill towns and tranquil places on the island are quite rewarding beyond the small city concept of Funchal. But give an hour or two as well exclusively to Funchal, it's a very charming place. Don't miss a tour of the wine bodegas, as well as a quick trip to the rioteous but highly colourful local market. Happy trails.
If the best of the west is going to cost you 29 euros pp I would definetely do that one. Thats a pretty cheap price and that has to be an eight hour tour. But you may not be able to do the toboggan ride it all depends on how long your in port.
The Cabo Girao is really breathtaking
And you'll love the drive up there.
if u stay in funchal u dont really c madeira.do either the west or east tours with strawberry world. the west is probably the most scenic but the east is also very nice and u visit santana where u will c the traditional madeiran thatched houses.the coaches r very comfortable and there is plenty of legroom.might have to put up with a joint english/german commentary but that's not much of a problem.did both tours a couple of weeks ago.
if u stay in funchal u dont really c madeira.do either the west or east tours with strawberry world. the west is probably the most scenic but the east is also very nice and u visit santana where u will c the traditional madeiran thatched houses.the coaches r very comfortable and there is plenty of legroom.might have to put up with a joint english/german commentary but that's not much of a problem.did both tours a couple of weeks ago.
The city of Funchal is intersected by deep ribeiras, coming from the mountains and leading to the ocean.
At some places in town the in- and outcoming roads are following the sides of the ribeiras. Driving a car, it is not always easy to find your way in town, when you are at the wrong side of the ribeira and have to be at a destination at the other side.
Some ribeiras are deep and wide enough to have a lot of green like flowering trees.
In Portugal we use to say that "one image speaks more than 1000 words". Having that in mind, and more than 1000 pictures to post, I decided to change my behaviour, posting the pictures as soon as they are ready, and adding the comments later.
Don't get mad on me - I'm glad to share my pictures with you, and the comments will be added soon.
Vespas, the “ex-libris” of Funchal, is known as the “cathedral” of the Madeiran night. It usually opens at midnight and goes until 6am or 7am. The music here is more on the underground scene, with strong beats and lots for young people.
The right time to go to Vespas is around 5AM so I've been there only for a couple of times. I think the space is too big for the crowd in a normal day... however sometimes they organize parties and when that happens it gets really busy
Every day there's a market (partly open, partly covered) in the Zona Velha between Rua Latina Coelho and Rua Hospital Velho.
It's a very colorful market with fish stalls on the underground floor - big tuna's, espada, swordfish, etc. Fruits, vegetables and flowers on the ground and first floor.
Every day except Sunday.
For more pictures, see my "Mercado dos Lavradores" travelogue.
Funchals Botanical gardens were once a private estate owned by the Reid family ( of the Reid hotel) Since 1960 it has been opened to the public and contains a rich collection of plants and trees spread over terraces rising to 1,000 feet above sea level. The gardens offer extensive views over Funchal and are a relaxing and accessible refuge from its urban bustle. Be sure to take some of the local Bolo de mel fruit cake and all your unwritten post cards
Similar to Dom Pedro Baia Club Hotel
Near Dom Pedro Baia Club Hotel
Cheapest in Funchal
Great Hotels for Less
Q: RESTUARANT FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE "We are two couples aged 60+ from Norway, who are looking for a good restaurant to spend the New Year's Eve in Funchal. We are..."
A: "New year's eve is an huge event at Funchal, all good spots are booked whit months in advance, so I suggest you to contact a travel agent (or the place where you are..."
Latest Funchal hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
