Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! For those who would like to go hiking, I suggest you travel between April-June and September-November when the weather is cooler. Tickets cost between 1-6 ($1-7) depending on how far you are traveling. A natural-born butterfly, She's spent most of her adult life hovering between Australia's obscenely high minimum wage and putting that EU-proof passport to good use travelling Western Europe. The capital, Funchal, is the best place to stay in Madeira as it is centrally located on the southern coast. Madeira is an underrated gem in Portugal. Fun in Funchal: top things to do, where to stay & what to eat Take some great photos of the gorgeous Gothic Se Cathedral. Central location. You see there is a bit of everything for all tastes in this town! Calheta is on the sunny side of the island and has great weather almost year-round. I have already talked about the best areas to stay in Madeira with the activities you can do in each. It was a project which saw local artists turning the area into an outdoor art gallery, by painting the entranceways bright colours with traditional scenes, or Picasso style modern artwork. Sun worshippers can enjoy long days of warm sunshine on the beaches or around the pools. Ill be happy to leave a reply to them! Canio also attracts those interested in water-sports. You can swim in the crystal clear water of these natural pools and take some epic Instagram photos. When visiting Madeira do not miss the chance to stay in its capital, Funchal. Where To Stay In Madeira, Portugal: Six Of The Best Hotels - Forbes I can't work out which is the nicer old part of Funchal and I think it must be up the hill away from the coast a bit, but I'm not sure if I want to live right on a hill for a week (yes, I know, the whole island is a hill! Even without a hire car, wherever you choose to stay in Madeira, getting from one place to another is relatively quick and easy by cab or public transport. 1905 Zinos Palace offers 5-star accommodation in Ponta do Sol. Renting a carRenting a car is the most convenient way to get around in Madeira and if you like driving a car I highly recommend this option as it will give more freedom and flexibility. With the exception of some excellent restaurants and local taverns to enjoy a quiet evenings relaxation, there is little in the way of lively evening entertainment. But theres much more to Calheta than just sun, sea, and water-sports. In the centre of town, make your way to Blandys Wine Lodge, and the Madeira Wine Museum, where you can learn the history of making Madeiras famous fortified wines, while you enjoy a tasting. Santa Cruz is a small coastal town thats close to Funchal and to the airport, so you wont have to travel far to get in and off the island or to see a bigger city. 2. Below the table, I go into depth about every single one of these hotels. Centrally located in So Vicente village, this luxury Airbnb offers a hot tub with mountain views, modern family-friendly rooms, and a nice garden. For something more upmarket, the stylish Turim Santa Maria Hotel has everything you could need for a comfortable trip. Many of Funchal's high-end hotels are clustered on the road heading west out of town. Funchal is the capital of the island and offers the best range of attractions, as well as easy access to outdoor activities. If you fancy a chilled, laid back day, take a drive through to Delgada, and enjoy a few hours in the Bathing Complex of Ponta Delgada. Have a meal at Restaurante Estrela, Mudas Restaurant, or Leme Marisqueira. You can easily reach Madeira by taking the ferry from Portugal or a flight to Madeira Airport. This 5-star hotel located right on the Calheta Beach offers 3 swimming pools, a fantastic spa, free parking, 2 restaurants, and modern rooms with a private balcony overlooking the sea. Eyll grew up in Istanbul, Turkey, where solo women travelers are rare and work-life balance is tough. This luxury hotel has a swimming pool, a bar with a beautiful terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, quiet rooms with sea and mountains views, and free parking. Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? 4. The village has three small pebble beaches, Portinho, Enseada, and Ponta Jardim, and the sea in the area is a deep blue. Lifeguards are on duty, and long groynes stretch into the bay to keep the water calm and safe for kids. I also highly recommend you rent a car in advance too so you can have more freedom and flexibility to get around on the island. Savoy Palace and Golden Residence Hotel are the best hotels in Funchal. Taxi rates for a half-day tour are around 60 (70 USD) and 100 (120 USD) for a full-day tour. A few yards from the church stands Engenho da Calheta, one of just two sugar mills still working on the island. Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns):Sitting on a plateau way down in a valley, only recently has a tunnel been cut through the rocks to improve access to this pretty village. In addition, the rooms are big, bright, and have their own private bathrooms and kitchenettes. Although keen hikers will be happy trekking from their hotel on the many walks available, for the rest of us, a hire car is a good idea if you want to fit in as many viewpoints as possible. Madeira Neighborhood Guide Places to Stay in Madeira, Dont Forget Travel Insurance for Madeira, Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Madeira. Here you will find the islands most scenic and impressive natural swimming pools formed by volcanic lava! 5. Scuba divers can explore man-made reefs and wrecks. Everything youll need during your stay is either in the house, or within five minutes drive away. Where to stay in Madeira | You Could Travel The best things to do in. sunny south, north coast or mountains? World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. Finally, Machico is the other small city (after Funchal) well positioned to some of the most beautiful nature on the island. 3. A festival held on the promenade, with locals dressed in traditional costumes, bands, entertainers, and plenty of food and drink to help the festivities along. Despite being fairly small, Madeira can be hard to navigate as there arent any public transport links between the different areas. Self-catering accommodation is plentiful, along with guest houses and private hotels. The Solar do Ribeirinho; in 1998 the remains of this 17th century plantation were excavated, restored, and turned into a museum exhibiting artefacts from over 400 years ago. Calheta has an excellent selection of accommodation for your stay in Madeira, including a spa hotel, private rentals, self-catering, guest houses, and family friendly hotels to suit all pockets. It also has a large sports centre, attracting sportsmen and women from across Portugal. Santa Cruz, where to stay in Madeira with kids Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Funchal is easily the best choice when youre deciding where to stay in Madeira for your first visit. In the capital city of Funchal you will find a great connection of buses within the city and nearby towns. Its in a quiet area and offers great views and infinity pool. By staying here you will have access to the main attractions and since the main tour companies are also located in the area, you can easily arrange tours based on your interest without a hassle. Whether youre self-catering and looking for supplies, or window shopping for take-home gifts and souvenirs, the local shops can cater for most of your needs. It depends on many things but first some background. At night (21:00 to 6:00) you will pay 0.56 per km + 0.25 per min with a 3.90 starting fee.. For those who dont drive a car, there is also the possibility to rent a daily or half-day taxi. Camara de Lobos has plenty of attractions in its own right, to entice its annual influx of European visitors. Try the Levadas of Rabacal walk, which can be adjusted to suit more advanced or. If you reach the Miradouro Cristo Rei, the view down on tiny Garajau beach is spectacular. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Madeira. Why Funchal makes a great base One of four main islands in the archipelago, Madeira instead has a more semi-tropical climate. Highly Recommended Check price WHERE TO STAY IN MADEIRA ISLAND COMPARISON TABLE These are the top-rated Madeira accommodations in each region. As I said earlier I highly recommend staying in Funchal for first-timers due to its proximity to the main attractions and great selection of hotels. The Airbnb offers perfect tranquility close to the heart of Madeira, and boasts floor to ceiling windows, high ceilings, and enough space for up to ten guests. Places to Stay Lodging There is a wide variety of lodging on Madeira ranging from luxury hotels to AirBnBs. 2. 1 2 Welshtraveller111 Wales, United. The hotel also has an outdoor pool and rooms of varying sizes to suit every travel group. Where to stay in Madeira? - Europe's Best Destinations It is a 10 km (6 mi) trail that offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It offers clean, modern spaces, its own balcony and enough space for four guests. icon-lightbulb There are very nice restaurants and bars where you can have food and drinks while watching the amazing views. In 2008, thousands of tonnes of white desert sand was imported from Morocco, and laid over the pebbles, to provide Machico with the Islands first golden sand beach. There are lots of great neighborhoods in Madeira, but these are some of the best for travelers. If you want to have a chilled holiday by the beach, Ponta do Sol is calling you! Accommodation to suit all preferences. Where to stay in Madeira. In town you can visit Calhetas parish church, dating back to 1430. Its fertile soil provides lush green uplands and verdant filled valleys inland. In 50 minutes you can drive to the most north . Its right next to the beach and has spacious rooms with balconies, as well as a pool with staggeringly beautiful views. I think this is the best private accommodation in So Vicente and I highly recommend you to stay here if you are looking for an ultimate accommodation choice. Theres an awesome glass bottom platform which sticks out over the cliff face allowing you to see straight down below your feet, this awesome experience is also called SkyWalk. Consider some of the following. There is no good public transportation and believe me, you wont regret allowing time for these activities! Go on a whale or dolphin watching tour off the island. COOLEST Thing to Do in Calheta Head down to the popular beach Praia da Calheta for swimming and sunbathing.BEST Place to Visit in Calheta The Museu de Arte Contempornea da Madeira for a look at the islands art scene. For your stay in Madeira, Sao Vicente has an excellent selection of budget accommodation, guest houses, self-catering options, and hotels. Located in the heart of the city, this hostel in Madeira has all the charm and colour you could want for your vacation. You'll find so much good food in Madeira, so many incredible hikes by the famous Levada and the most picturesque fishing villages. Hikers, and lovers of local flora and fauna can find plenty of walking trails to explore local areas. Machico, one of Madeiras most popular destinations, 4. Unfortunately, there are no luxury hotels in this cool town and I never want to give you a hotel recommendation that is not good enough. Accommodation choices are quite limited around Canial. All Hotel Aparthotel Tourist apartments Short Term Rental Rural Tourism Manor Houses Others. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. While the Madalena do Mar has a church dedicated to Santa Maria Madalena. Shall we start our journey on the beautiful Madeira island? You can also head into Funchal at any time to enjoy the big city, before retreating to your quieter, cheaper base. In order to reach Pico do Arieiro you can drive or join daily tours from the major towns. Santa Cruz is a small coastal town close to both Funchal and to the airport, so you wont have to travel far to to and from the island or a bigger city. Wander through the gardens and mineral museum at the Monte Palace Madeira. Since this is the most popular town where to stay in Madeira, plus the hotels I gave you above are the best of the best, they may book out quickly. 15 Best areas to stay in Madeira for tourists To get an overall idea of Madeira, check out this video, or continue reading: 1. 3. With groynes to reduce incoming swell, a black sand beach, and kiddies swimming pool, it is a safe area for children of all ages. If you plan to stay in the northern and western parts of Madeira you will need to use bus services operated by Rodoeste. Here is a map for where to stay in Madeira with the 7 best areas I will be talking about in this blog post so you can easily visualize them: Located on the south coast of the island, Funchal Madeira is the capital of Madeira and offers more than enough activities for all kinds of travelers. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MADEIRA IN MACHICO. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? Shorter and gentler hikes? Start your trip to Santa Cruz with a small sightseeing tour to familiarise yourself with the town. Meaning all youve really got to do is pick a spot, and enjoy your holiday. This area is also one of the best places to stay in Madeira for hiking. If youre still unsure, you cant go wrong with Quinta Splendid Wellness & Botanical Garden. Whether you are planning to travel for business, visiting friends and family, or simply looking to get out of Italy for a while, your journey will be off to a great start when you choose to book your flight with SWISS. The Mother Church of Machico (Igreja Matriz de Machico), is probably the oldest piece of 15th century Gothic architecture in Madeira. Madeira island is the perfect place for couples, hikers and nature enthusiasts, but also for foodie travellers and beach bums. Apart from relaxed beaches, Ponta do Sol offers also amazing parks and hiking trails that will make outdoors lovers happy. She is also an adventurer and extreme sports enthusiast who surfed in 4 continents. Try all the delicious food of Madeira Island. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Canio, a popular year round destination where to stay in Madeira. If you are not hiring a car in Madeira, Funchal is the best place in which to base yourself. ), 20 Super Awesome Hotels to Stay in Malaga, Go shopping at famous local market Mercado dos Lavradores, See the impressive Gothic Se Cathedral at the Old Town, Be amazed by the beautiful Igreja de So Salvador Church, Check out amazing scenery at the viewpoint, Miradouro de Machico, Get a suntan and make sandcastles at Praia das Palmeiras, Enjoy beach time at the famous Praia de Machico, Go hiking at Vereda da Ponta de So Loureno nearby, Get a suntan and swim in the crystal clear water at Calheta Beach, Go for a stroll at the beautiful gardens, School Farm dos Prazeres, Spend time swimming and chilling at Ponta do Sol Beach, Go hiking to see the gorgeous waterfall Mill Levada, Check out the stunning views from Cascalho Viewpoint, Take a day trip to hike at Madeiras highest plateau, Paul da Serra, Go hiking along the PR16 Levada Faj do Rodrigues, Enjoy beach time at Praia do Porto do Seixal up the coast, See impressive Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Ftima, Go for a walk at the beautiful Jardim de plantas indgenas, Have a photo at the famous black sand beach, Praia Da Ribeira Brava, See the beautiful church Igreja Matriz da Ribeira Brava, Have a sunset stroll at Farol da Ribeira Brava. Where to Stay in Madeira, Portugal First Time: 15 BEST Areas I would also like to remind you of the importance of making a booking in advance in order to secure your favorite hotel and get better deals. While majestic volcanic cliffs rise from the sea, and pebble beach coves can be found around the coast. BEST Area to stay in Funchal? - Madeira Forum - Tripadvisor This family-friendly hotel offers guests an outdoor pool, rooms with ocean views, and a nice garden, This nice accommodation features an outdoor pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a garden terrace, and clean rooms, This Airbnb offers guests an outdoor pool, a large garden with an ocean view, and family-friendly rooms. However, if youre not particularly looking for 5-star quality, I do have good hotel recommendations for other price ranges in Machico. With so many attractions around the city, the beach area, a bustling night life, and an excellent selection of accommodation, Funchal is popular with couples and families of all ages as a base for their stay in Madeira. THE BEST PLACE TO STAY IN MADEIRA FOR: first-time visitors and city-vibe lovers When planning where to stay in Madeira for the first time, Funchal is the best choice. A theme park with a difference, it is based around science, tradition, and the history of the Madeira Islands. Where To Stay In Madeira: Best Areas To Stay - Journey Era A lido complex with swimming pools, diving boards, lifeguards, and a food court is attached to the beach, and the beach front has a good selection of bars, cafes, and shops. Buses are not however very frequent in other towns so if you dont want to drive a car I recommend you to stay in Funchal. You can easily rent a car from Madeira Airport or the city center and begin your island exploration. 14 UNMISSABLE Things to Do in Funchal, Madeira Island - Miss Tourist Funchal - Visit Madeira | Madeira Islands Tourism Board official website If you like to stay in an area that has lots of amenities without the busy city vibe, then Machico is a good choice. This lovely modern apartment has great views and enough space for up to four guests. Thats why its important to choose the area most suited to what you want out of your trip! I highly recommend you allow some time for hiking to enjoy this beautiful scenery, then hit the beach to chill on the golden sand. This 4-star hotel offers all-inclusive accommodation, modern rooms with a private balcony, 3 swimming pools, and a spa, Marina Rooms offers affordable accommodation right on the beach, has free parking and rooms with a private balcony, This Airbnb has rooms with modern amenities, a large terrace with a hot tub overlooking the sea, and free parking. This hotel offers the perfect luxurious experience to anyone with a bit more to spend on accommodation. I recommend you to stay at least 4 days in Madeira to discover the different coasts of the island. There are an excellent selection of walking tours available, with two of the favourites being the Levada do Canial, and the Vereda da Ponta de Loureno. It has three bedrooms sleeping up to six guests, and is close to the beach with great views over Machico. For routes 1 and 2 you can hail them from anywhere on the street but for route 3 you need to use the designated bus stops. Part museum, the mill still produces honey for the islands favourite bolo de mel (honey cake), and an equally popular white rum called aguardente.