Travel Answers

Can you tell me what it is like over Christmas and New Year please. Are the shops/bars/restaurants open on Christmas, Boxing and New Years Day?

I'm trying to book a flight from Lisbon to Funchal with suitable time of landing and I have two options for flights: TAP which lands in Funchal at 00:55 or EasyJet - lands at 20:40. But in first case (with TAP) I miss bus and aerobus to Funchal from airport, and in the second case I have a very little chance to get last aerobus at 21:15 (anam.pt/aero-bus-madeira-en-.... Usually, how long time it takes to get luggage of EasyJet Flights? And if I still miss all buses, what is appoximate price for a taxi to get Funchal in the night time?

Where can I get it? Price?

Will be travelling to Madeira and wanted to know what to expect in terms of Madeiran foods. Are restaurants good there? I will be staying in Funchal but i am planning on renting a car and touring the island. Are restaurants easy to find outside of Funchal? I have been searching and i have found lots but the majority are in the city. Any tips? thanks

I'm planning to travel to the island of Madeira and have more or less decided which hotel to book (lots of sites to book through) but unsure if i should book to eat my meals at the hotel or risk and eat out. I'm finding it a little hard to find actual info about restaurants (prices, locations, cuisine types) and some of the restaurants i have found have very few reviews and no photos. Does anyone know where i can find ths kind of info and hopefully some photos of the restaurants in Madeira? Thanks

we have booked into quinto do serreda hotel in may,and would like to know about taxi or bus fares from hotel to town/beach,any info would be appreciated

Hi Does anyone know if there are daily cannons fired in Funchal at specific times?

from where can i hire a wheelchair for 2 weeks holiday in the island of Porto Santo? thank you mary

Hello, My girlfriend and I are staying at the hotel Estalagem Encumeada, located at FEITEIRAIS-SERRA DE AGUA 9350-000 between the 14th and 21st. In an effort to save money, we'd like to get up there by bus from Funchal. I've read that there's a stop outside, but not had much luck finding out what bus goes there, when. I see that it shouldn't be too hard to get to ribeira brava itself,, but can anybody advise upon how to make it up to the hotel? Many thanks in advance!!!!! Matthew.

There are so many car rental firms in Madeira, and I can not choose. Maybe you have an good/bad experience and could advice, which to take? Many thanks in advance!

Hello, we are (3 people, not more young) going to visit Madeira from 31.01-14.02, renting a car from aeroport. The idea is (maybe wrong??) to spend first 4 days in Porto Moniz, then move to Calheta and the second week - in Canico. The question: should we rent a car for the whole 2 weeks? I know, it is a lot to see in Funchal and suburbs, - maybe it would be better to do without a car, using the buses, without parking problems? I am also not sure, that we need three places to stay... maybe it'd be enough to stay one week in Calheta and one in Canico... but the photos from Porto Moniz are so fascinating, - I fell in love with this village from the first moment. We'll be very grateful for every advice!

Hi We are staying in Prazeres for a month from 2nd Jan. We will hire a car for some of the time, and wonder if anyone can give guidance on prices if we hire locally in Calheta? For the period that we don't have a car, we intend to do lots of local walking. Does anyone know what walks we can do from Prazeres, and in particular, can we walk down to Calheta and how long a walk is this? Where is the best (cheapest priced)supermarket located on the island and where is the cheapest petrol? Finally, what is the weather likely to be like in January? We figure it might be a degree or to colder in Prazeres due to the height above sea level. Any ideas on average temps and how much rain we are likely to get? Grateful for all info!!

Wondering whether there are any tour companys that would pick me up at the hotel in canico and drop me back there. Also whos the best for a private transfer from the airport. Thank you :)

We are going to be staying at the Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal and I was wondering if there is a bus that would take us close to the hotel from the airport ? Cost ? I see there is a company called Strawberry World that can pick up and drop off by mini bus. Anyone got anything good or bad to say about them ?

Our cruise ship will make an 8am - 5pm stop at Funchal on Saturday, April 21. We would like to make the best of our time here. The cruise excursions are not always good. Can anyone suggest the best way for us to spend our day? Should we be sure to plan on the cable car? Is there a beach area? Is the hop-on-hop-off bus worthwhile? What would we expect the temperatures to be?

How is the weather in Mid may in Madeira Island? We are looking for a nice relaxing spot to relax on the beach and get a nice tan. Is it warm enough in May to go in the water? THanks!

I'm curious if Madeira is a good for camping and if there are any campsites ? Or maybe one can pitch a tent outside the campsites ? Anyway it must be a rocky terrain almost everywhere.

Hi! I started getting ready for my first trip do Madeira. I'm going to stay in Funchal from 29th Jan. till 5th Feb, but I would love to visit several places during my one-week stay. I will use buses. I don't have a driving license. There are different lines and fares, I am a bit upset with information chaos. Is there a weekly ticket? And how about airport transport? How can I easily and cheaply get to Residencial Melba at Azinhaga da Casa Branca, Nº8, 9000-110 Funchal from the airport? I can walk from a place in Funchal because I'm a backpacker and budget tourist and I don't mind hiking. I would be grateful for your suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Hi can anyone offer advice... We are in Madeira and have my elderly parents and young children withbest place us to head tonight for the fire works? Would anyone reccommend a place to be.

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 looking for a place with reasonably good food, and a good "ambiance" as the French put it. Not too formal, and possibly with some good music to take a spin on the dance floor .... We have heard that the fireworks in Funchal are fantastic, so we would of course prefer a place where we could come outside and watch this attraction as well. I should mention that this is our very first trip to Madeira, and that we arrive on the 31 December, so we have to book a table in advance to be sure to have somewhere to go..... We are staying in the centre of Funchal. (Avenida do Infante.) But we are prepared to go somewhere outside the centre if that is sounds more tempting. We would appreciate suggestions from more seasoned travellers, or even better, from the locals.

I will be staying in Funchal and wish to visit the Chestnut Festival in Curral das Freiras on 1st November. Is the half day Tourist coach trip enough time or would I do better by taking a local bus in the morning and a bus back later in the day ?

hello has anyone been there at that time of the year and can tell us how warm will it be during the day? we also accept recemmondations about hotels: has to be right on the beach - though, be kid-friendly and NOT have only a buffet restaurant. thank a million for any help rh.

Hi, we are comeing in Madeira, next week and we looking to rent a car not to expensive, is that still possible? Thank you.

I stayed at the regency club for 10 days this month and liked the hotel and funchal. whilest there I was offered a flexitime contract for a one bed appartment. anyone used this this scheme or can recommend it?

I was wondering if you could help me. I'm going on a cruise in October with my parents and we will be stopping of in Madeira. Do you have any info or Recommendations for trips that would be suitable for a wheelchair user & somewhere where we can pick up near the port?. If so prices? many thanks dillie

Hi all We are going to Funchal on 30th June and I have read lots regarding what to do and see. Are there any hidden gems that we should include in our trip especially in Funchal. What are the best shopping areas and any advice on restaurants/bars worth a visit. I am also considering hiring a car so that we can see more of the island. Is driving about an good option. Are roads very busy or is it more a leisurely pace ? Any help would be very much appreciated. By the way we are staying at the Hotel Savoy Gardens many thanks Michael

Thinking of relocating to Madeira. We have one child who is vaccine-free. Does anyone know if Portugal/Madeira offers a choice to vaccinate or not? I have read that you are free to choose in Portugal. Is this right?

I'm planning a first time trip to Madeira in September/October. I plan to hire a car, but I am slightly nervous after reading about "narrow bendy roads cut into the hillsides" and "single lane mountain roads with unrailed sheer drops2. Just how "bad" are the roads in Madeira ? Is it possible to tour around without risking life and limb !!! ??? Any info would be gratefully received !

Is the water warm enough to swim in Jan and Feb? What is the best area to rent an apartment in? How hard is it to bring a dog from the USA? Thanks John

Some years ago we had two wonderful holidays at the Madeira Palacio Hotel in Funchal. However, it closed in 2006 for renovations and doesn't seem to have re-opened. I've searched the Internet and looked on Google Earth, where I can see what appears to be a giant building site in that location. I would love to know what's happening with it so does anyone know?