Madeira Island Travel Forum

I have been doing some research regarding a holiday in May this year and have seen a lovely place to stay near Sao Vicente. My question is - is it cooler in this area on the North coast than in the Funchal and South Coast region, and if so by how much at this time of year.

Also, with regard to hiring a car we are thinking of doing this as we are planning on taking my parents (who are in their early 70's) who have slight mobility problems (one more than the other). When driving through the villages and in Funchal what is the parking like - are there car parks or spaces along the promenade etc?

Thanks,

Sue

Having spent time in Madeira myself, I would recommend staying in Funchal. It is a lovely place, with many great and reasonably priced hotels, within walking distance to the town. I travelled all round the island by public transport - not suggesting that for you, as not easy - rented car would be perfect for you. There are plenty of interesting places to visit outside Funchal but would not choose to stay anywhere else. The climate is temperate and pleasant all year round but it does rain but not like in UK and not a problem. Funchal itself is very picturesque and not particularly commercial, with lots of nice places to eat with interesting places to visit, in the town itself. The harbour area is particularly nice at night and you are spoilt for choice for nice restaurants in that area. One of the nicest places I have ever visited!

Hi, the best place to stay is Funchal center or near in Monumental street where are most part of hotels. Sao Vicente has anithing to do, very very cal. You rent a car (very easy) and go arround the island.Better way.In Funchal parking isn´t easy you must pay.Don´t park in forbidden places, police are always there. Don´t forget eat "espetadas "something with meat and "pão de caco" like bread.

Hi Sue

Sao Vicente is ok, but its like a village. You would be better off staying in Funchal and visiting the island on days out (think you could be very bored staying there). I live in the Lido area of Funchal, where many of the hotels are. For some one with mobility problems I would suggest staying at a hotel such as the Monumental Lido Hotel and booking a sea view room, or if you have a mountain view room bring ear plugs...due to primarily traffic noise). The MLH is on Estrada Monumental and the entrance to the hotel is flat (except one step from the pavement onto like a pedestrian area) then into the hotel. To check out the hotel go to http://www.monumentallidomadeira.com/ for a lot of great information go to http://www.madeira-web.com/ (Strawberry world). My mother who sometimes stays with me has limited mobility and she finds the Lido area is fine for her (when she is here we use taxi's to get about). In the area there is a chemist (which hopefully you would not need, they do speak English), also a post office (open weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm), a small supermarket, places to eat (word of advice never eat food at a "bar"). Also literally a few seconds walk from the MLH is the Lido commerical centre (eating places there, recommend O'bife...see my write up). For getting around. Car hire is an option, but if you wanted to go for days, it must be just as cheap to let someone who knows the roads drive. You can hire a taxi and driver for the day, cost is about Euro 100 (there are some people carrier taxi's they might charge more I don't know), but the standard taxis that is the rate. You can do the East coast, west coach, nuns valley (that one is half day tour). Intersted in a taxi tour you just approach the driver and ask, but there is a price list by the chemist opposite the MLH. A taxi ride into downtown from the Lido is about E4, depending on the traffic. Weekends for such journeys and trip cost more. Help that helps and hope you all have a very nice stay on this beautiful island Jayne

Although it may be chillier around SV,but not much, there are lots of interesting places to visit eg, the caves at SV, the aquarium and rock pools in Porto Moniz and the North coast drive is fantastic, with many waterfalls. If your parents are less mobile, I would recomend the Porto Santa Maria Hotel in the Old Town and perhaps use the car to visit all of the other places. The Hotel is near to the Harbour, some fantastic restaurants, the city centre is also a short walk away, all on the flat.
Parking is usually good, there is no parking around the promenade in the Lido area although a park is close by at the supermarket.. All areas have good carparks near the centres.There is parking at Porto Santa Maria hotel underground