Madeira

browneyedbazzi

Has anyone been on holiday to Madeira? If so, do you have any tips about places to go and things to do there? or things to avoid?

We've got a week booked, staying in Funchal.

wallbash

yes

The Levada walks are wonderful. Spot the walkers at your airport, they are the ones wearing the hiking boots.They follow the water downhill, so your walk is always ..... down ! But even when you can sunbathe on the beach , the altitude and the rain makes the first bit of the walk cold, take advice on clothing.
Coastal walk to the west is nice.
The gardens are wonderful , try and fit in a couple. The 'sledge' ride is over priced but its free to watch.
Not a fan of cable cars.

The fish market is ...... smelly but interesting.

Are you staying at a hotel or S.C , could advise on some nice restaurants.

daveyjp

Madeira is a lovely island. The landing into the airport can be 'interesting', the take off is 'unusual'!

Levada walks, Nuns Valley, Cabo De Girao, Pico Ruivo, Santana to see the traditional houses, Monte, Botanical Gardens, Madeira Winery Tour in the centre of Funchal. Plenty of good value restaurants in the old town.

Lots of places can be accessed using local buses, taxi drivers do half and full day tours, Strawberry Tours are well regarded, or to really explore hire a car.

pelirocco

I didn't like it , the fact ignore rained non stop didn't help lol

browneyedbazzi

Thanks folks!

We're staying in a hotel so restaurant suggestions would be welcome. We'll definitely do some walks and I know the toboggans are expensive but I'll be very tempted to have a go on them as well.

pelirocco, i wonder if you went the same time as some friends of mine a couple of years ago when they had horrific rain and landslides etc. I'm hoping we'll have better weather because it is usually quite good.

baza52

I went a few months back and stayed in Funchal and hated it. (pestana hotel and casino)
Was like being on an over 65s holiday. Tried several places to get a redbull but everywhere said they don't sell it as there's no call for it.
It also rained a lot when we were there but it was October so kind of expected.


Just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean you wont

browneyedbazzi

We may look for different things in a holiday baza - I'm not a party type and I'd rather drink my own wee than a redbull lol.

wallbash

Was like being on an over 65s holiday.

Can understand that, the nice weather and beautiful scenery, with easy public transport are going to attract those that have money to spend. The absence of great beaches and frantic night life again will lean more to the older tourist.

Plenty of nice restaurants, there is a number of time shares on the island , so many eat outside the large hotels.
One tip , find out from your hotel if any large cruise ships are docking and work out your holiday plans. Cruise ship in ..........go on a walk.
As the passengers are bussed to the cable car/ gardens and it can get very busy.

Hobsons_Choice

If you can afford it, afternoon tea at Reids is a lovely experience. You're outside on the terrace and the views are amazing. About £33 though - but they do keep topping up the sarnies and cakes!
We were there just before Christmas last year and the weather was great.

baza52

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

We may look for different things in a holiday baza - I'm not a party type and I'd rather drink my own wee than a redbull lol.

At 47 im not a party type either, I just like drinking vodka redbull.

DUKE

Oh Madeira's lovely - but watch out for the mozzies! Try & do the toboggan thing it's not really expensive (you're only there once & it's your holiday), it's an absolute scream! They take your picture too. Do the chairlift, it's not that scary - even I managed it There's buses (red, yellow, & blue, I think) that will take you around the island for a price. I stayed in Calheta a few years ago & we did the local bus ride from Calhetta to Funchal (all 2 hours of it) for just £4.50 pp. You could do the reverse journey. You wont forget it! We booked trips in Funchal with Happy Tours & went all over the island, it was fantastic. Have a look here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g189166-Activities-Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html