An Introduction to Funchal...

Funchal holidays will appeal to those who appreciate the town of Funchal, the historic capital of Madeira and the serene and breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside.  A third of the island’s inhabitants live in Funchal which itself is situated in a sheltered valley with a backdrop of volcanic mountains.  Steep cobbled streets, interesting shops, art galleries, restaurants, famous wine lodges and a cathedral are features of the town.

The Botanical Gardens, the Ecological Park and Santa Catarina Park are popular tourist attractions.  Sandy beaches are rare but the sea is crystal clear for diving and seasonal swimming. The best Funchal hotels are the 4 stars Hotel Porto Mare and the 5 stars Estalagem Quinta da Casa Branca, Estalagem Quinta da Bela Vista, Estalagem Jardins do Lago, the Cliff Bay Hotel and Pestana Casino Park.  All hotels are beautifully appointed with exquisite gardens and fully justify their 5 stars status. Our Funchal holiday flights operate from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Luton, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Exeter and East Midlands.

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is around 40 minutes.  So book your Funchal package holiday or Funchal hotel with Holiday Options and don’t forget our Funchal late deals and holiday offers at very special prices.

Madeira’s capital is 25km and approximately 45 minutes from the airport and is an historic town of traditional character with some splendid scenery.

A third of the island’s population lives here. It lies on the ocean in a sheltered valley with a backdrop of volcanic mountains. The steep cobbled streets of the old town, with their shops, art galleries and restaurants, wind up to the hills contrasting with the more vibrant life around the harbour front below.

Famous wine lodges, a colourful Farmers’ Market, the historic cathedral and pretty churches add to the picture postcard view whilst the popular Lido and casino add more contemporary attractions.

Funchal is home to famous gardens including the Botanical Gardens, the Ecological Park and the Santa Catarina Park.

Madeira’s capital is 25km and approximately 45 minutes from the airport and is an historic town of traditional character with some splendid scenery. A third of the island’s population lives here. It lies on the ocean in a sheltered valley with a backdrop of volcanic mountains. The steep cobbled streets of the old town, with their shops, art galleries and restaurants, wind up to the hills contrasting with the more vibrant life around the harbour front below.

Famous wine lodges, a colourful Farmers’ Market, the historic cathedral and pretty churches add to the picture postcard view whilst the popular Lido and casino add more contemporary attractions.

Funchal is home to famous gardens including the Botanical Gardens, the Ecological Park and the Santa Catarina Park.

Madeira is famously known for its wine and cake, although there is also a delicious and simple local cuisine that deserves equal recognition. The island has a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes. Fish, fresh vegetables and fruit form the basis of succulent meals, which are often charcoal grilled and seasoned with herbs.

Try espetada, beef cubes rubbed with garlic and sea salt and then grilled on laurel skewers. Or espada (black scabbard fish) stuffed with a mix of herbs, bananas and lemon juice. Other favourites are grilled sardines and acorda, a soup with bread, garlic, olive oil and poached egg. Locally grown strawberries, grapes and apricots are seasonally on the menu. Wines to look out for include Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malmsey, which are the four varieties of Madeira fortified wine ranging from dry to sweet. The locally brewed Coral is a fine lager.

There are several shopping centres where you can find your favourite labels and brands at very attractive prices. For souvenirs buy embroidery, wickerwork, tapestry, Madeira wine and cut flowers, especially orchids and the remarkable Bird of Paradise flower (strelitzia).

The ocean is particularly deep around the shores of Madeira and the rocky shoreline is home to clear waters which are superb for diving and for seasonal swimming. There are few sandy beaches of note as most are rocky with pebbles or black volcanic sand. Nevertheless 12 beaches have received a Blue Flag award for cleanliness. There is a man made sandy beach at Calheta on the south coast, west of Funchal, and pebble beaches and a Lido in Funchal. 

Walking, golf and watersports are popular activities.
Walk across the mountains following the levada trails, designed by man for crop maintenance and irrigation and which run more than 2000km around the island, or the veradas which offer access to the higher mountains and the primeval Floresta Laussisilva.
The crystal clear waters around the island are excellent for scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Waterskiing, windsurfing and sailing are also popular.

The islands are a key nesting site for loggerhead turtles, normally in August and September. The crystal clear waters around the islands are excellent for scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Waterskiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing are also popular activities, depending upon weather conditions.

Madeira offers championship golf courses in prime locations, some 600m above sea level. 
Built in 1937 and re-designed by Robert Trent Jones senior in 1991, Santo da Serra Golf Club is ranked among the top 100 courses in Europe and certainly one of the most attractive courses on tour. The course has 27 holes and is challenging but not severe.

Palheiro golf course is located in an old country estate overlooking Funchal. It is challenging and beautiful.
Porto Santo Golfe was designed by Seve Ballesteros and is located on the island of Porto Santo. It fits perfectly into the landscape, respecting the preservation of fauna and flora, and overlooks the sea and sandy beach.
All our hotels in Funchal and on Porto Santo offer generous discounts of up to 30% at the courses.
Some offer special packages with free transport and other offers.

For further details and prices please speak to one of our Travel Consultants.

This is the ideal place to recover from the routine stresses of life and to open your senses to a wide range of sensations. Many of the hotels in Madeira and Porto Santo offer an extensive range of Health & Beauty and Spa activities and special packages to help you de-stress and embark on a thorough mind and body restoration.
For further details and prices please speak to one of our travel consultants.

Funchal offers a choice of local and international restaurants. There are some discos and bars and an international casino.

A good road completely circles the island and there are several more criss-crossing its interior. To find the timeless villages untouched by tourism, take off at a tangent here and there on the minor roads through the mountains. Boat trips are excellent for exploring the coastline from a marine vantage point. Local bus services are generally reliable and well-frequented by tourists. Taxis are readily available and inexpensive.