Anyone been to Madeira?

Question

Just found a good deal for the bank holiday to Madeira just wondering what it's like there, would be staying somewhere quite quiet just outside Funchal. Also wondering what the prices are like over there compared to the UK, drinks, food, transport etc. Any advise would be great!!

Answer 1

If it is your first time in Madeira, my advise is to stay in the Lido area. There are lots of hotels to suite anyones pocket and it is only about 30 minutes walk from Funchal. There are loads of good restaurants all over the Lido and Funchal. You can get a really good meal with drinks included between € 30 - € 50. There is loads to see and do both in Funchal and all over Madeira as a whole.

Visit this site for loads of usefull information with pictures: http://www.madeira-seekers.com/

Answer 2

We went there 2yrs ago, found it very hilly, meals worked out about the same as here. Very quiet, you must go on the cable car, at the top are the sledges which you must try, we didn't, even though it looked like fun, we now wished we had.

Taxi prices were cheap we used them to come back up the hill to our hotel.

The flowers are lovely and worth bringing back they are boxed up for you.

Answer 3

I've been going to Madeira every Spring for some 30 years; it makes a very welcome break after the Winter here in England.

I stay in Canico de Baixo (which means Lower Canico) - if you're going there I can give you more details.

Most things are cheaper than UK - steak is excellent and usually served as Espetada (meat on a skewer), not to be muddled with the fish Espada (pronounce it Esh-pahdah) an evil looking piscean which is harvested from great depths and usually served with banana.

Visit the fruit and veg market on Friday/Saturday for best photographs.

A good Portuguese restaurant is right along the Rua de Santa Maria beside the market on the left hand side.

Do try the Madeiran flat bread (I hope you like garlic - the Madeirans are pretty heavy-handed with it) which is baked with sweet potato incorporated.  Have the local drink - Poncha (pronounce Pon-sha) which is local white rum, lemon juice and honey.  It's better when freshly made rather than from a bottle.

Local soup speciality is tomato and onion with a poached egg - makes a substantial lunch.  Don't hesitate to ask for a variation in the menu - the Beer House will rustle up a good plate of sliced cold meat and cheese, the Beetles Boat will do just egg and chips instead of burger and chips, etc.

If you decide to do a tour - do the West Coast if going on just one.

The chair lift up to Monte (where the tobaggon ride is situated) gives good views of the harbour and visiting cruise ships - I always check the weather up in the mountain before venturing up - just look for the rain clouds and stay in Funchal!

Take a jumper and pacamac if going up into the mountains.

Should you want to catch a bus - ask which one in the green kiosks; they are very helpful.

The taxis are bright yellow and usually Mercedes - see them lined up near McDonalds on the beach road.

There is only one small sandy beach on the East Coast (Industrial area) - if you want golden sands you will have to catch the 8.0 a.m. ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo (expensive)