Funchal Travel Forum

I am trying to find a decent hotel and wondered if anyone had any suggestions? I am looking at the hotel Dorisol Mimosa, has anyone stayed here? Is it nice,clean ect...??
Or is the hotel Monumental Lido a better option? Ive found the Monumental Lido for around £70 more is it worth paying this extra to stay there or are the two hotels similar? Please help, Thank you.

Due to a last minute alteration of an operation date we are able to go to Madeira for a stay next week.
Previously I have been able to access an English language version of the local bus company web site on the following http://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/en/ccr.asp
This is no longer available and I wonder if anyone knows a way of accessing it. I can get to the version in Portuguese but am too thick to comprehend in the language.
As an additional question - Do they still have the tourist 7 day ticket and what does it cost now please?

We'll be in Funchal for one day off a cruise ship early November. We have booked
a car/driver for 4-5 hours in the morning. What would be the "must see" sights on the beautiful island. He'll drop us off either at the cable car or in town so we can walk around in the afternoon (market, Blandy's wine tour, lunch) before we return to the ship.

Also....any lunch suggestions?

Thanks,
Karen

My husband and I will be in Funchal on New Year's Eve and we would like to make reservations in advance for the evening that includes taking in the fireworks display. Any suggestions as to the best hotel locations and which hotels take online reservations for New Year's. Perhaps someone has a better idea of how New Year's could be best enjoyed in Funchal. Thank you.

Hello,

I am renting a car at Funchal Airport- can anyone give me directions to the Hotel Savoy Gardens in Funchal?

Thank you for your help!

Hi there,

Could you please advise how can we reach the hotel from the airport? Is there any shuttle or have you got any other proposal? If we take a taxi, would you have some information about reliable taxi companies and the costs?

Thanks.

Best regadrs,
Judit

plannig a trip to funchal from 24june-30thjune, does anyone know what the weathers gonna be like?

thanks

I am researching Madeira embroidery. Does anyone know when the metal Gremio seal was replaced with the paper seal? Thank you very much

We're in Funchal one day in November....on a Saturday.
I know we could walk around on our own, take the cable, visit Monte, do the toboggan down, visit the market and a wine lodge, have lunch and spend a leisurely
day. Another option is to hire a private taxi for 3-4 hours and still do a few of the above.

A third choice is to go touring for the entire day with Strawberry World Tours.
They offer East OR West:

BEST OF THE WEST - Full Day Tour € 29 per person
This tour departs from the Monumental Lido 09.00 hrs - Camara de Lobos - Cabo Girão - Ribeira Brava - Encumeada - São Vicente - Seixal - Porto Moniz - Paúl da Serra - Bica da Cana - Return to Monumental Lido

BEST OF THE EAST - Full Day Tour € 29 per person
This tour departs from the Monumental Lido 09.00 hrs - Camacha - Poiso - Pico do Arieiro -Ribeiro Frio - Santana - Faial - Porto da Cruz - Portela - Ponta São Lourenço - Santa Cruz Return to Monumental Lido

ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW TO BEST SPEND THE DAY?????

Thanks,
Karen

I am going to madeira next week. We are staying in a central located hotel in Funchal (Hotel Madeira). Does anyone know if there is a bus service from the airport in Funchal, If so how much does it cost?

Cheers

Peter

Hi all, This is a strange but urgent question.... my uncle had a heart attack while on a cruise ship, i have been informed it docks in madeira tomorrow (dont know time) i have searched the internet and found only funchal as port for cruise ships (hope i am right!) but i would like to know what hospital is he likely to be transferred to? All i know it has a cardiac unit!!
Really hope someone can help.. in any way possible even docking times!! any info grateful.
Thanks so much, very grateful for future replies x

Hi i really want to go here when I spend a day in funchal. but i having trouble locating it from where the cruise ship docks.

can anyone advise me of how to get there.

Fiona

I am going to Funchal in August with my sister, 21 and friend, 20. Where are the best nightclubs? and do we have to pay to get in?
Thanks

Hi All, can anyone point me in the direction of any good restaurants near the Forum Madeira shopping centre? ( We are staying at the Duas Torres )
Thanks
Tricky Dicky.

Hi,

I'm arriving in Funchal on a cruise later this month and we have a whole day on the island. Are there any car hire companies at the cruise terminal/port? Or are they all in downtown Funchal? Who are reliable companies to choose? Thanks.

I'm visiting Funchal in December and am hoping to be able to buy a Nintendo Wii as they are sold out everywhere in the UK (available elsewhere in the EU but not here).

Has anyone got an idea where I can get one (how much?)and whether there are stock issues in Madeira as well.

If anyone knows stores that have websites that would be very helpful as well (just in case I need to preorder)

Thanks again

Biscuitman

Hi, has anyone stayed at The Duas Torres hotel and if so was it o.k. and exactly where is it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there

I'm planning to visit Madeira in early November, I'm sure the weather will be unpredictable, but I wonder if any locals or regular visitors to Madeira might be able to tell me what the weather is normally like at this time of year - early/mid November?

Also, is it easy to hire a car from the airport in Funchal?

Is Funchal the best location to stay in at this time of year? Is it central enough to then visit other places too?

Last question! - would anyone recommend any bed&breakfasts in Funchal? Something simple, but good.

Lastly - can you swim in the sea in November? I'm used to the English channel/north sea so I don't need it to be too warm!

Would love to hear from anyone!
Thanks in advance.

Laura

I am going on a cruise soon, and the liner will be docking at the cruise terminal in Funchal. I fancy visiting the Santa Catarina Park. Please can anyone tell me how far the park is from the terminal, and how long would it take to walk the distance. Any directions (by foot) would be appreciated. Thank you. Mandy from South Wales.

Hi all,

I'll be in Funchal late May and am wondering if there are tours by glass bottom boat... all information welcome!
Thanks in advance for your help!

Linda

We shal be docking in Funchal in march for one day not sailing until midnight. We have docked here before but have only really walked along the front. Any suggestions for seeing a bit more.

Hi I am going on a cruise and one of the ports of call is Funchal unfortunately this is also Easter Monday. I was just wondering if this means that everything will be closed up. Also I was looking for advice on what are the best places to visit what are the must see places. There are five of us two pensioners, a 17 year old a 27 year old and a child of 6. We will be in funchal for around 7-8 hours any help on this is greatly appreciated.

Donna

Wondering if anyone has travelled with the airline SATA from Toronto-Ponta Delgada-Madeira. Any comments would be welcome. Also wondering how "flowery" Madeira will be in early March .

Thank you

I am going to be in Funchal for New Years Eve and want to know where I can find a great party and place to watch the fireworks.

Does Funchal have beach weather late November ? We are loking for some Winter Sun, around 20th November, and would rather go further for beach weather and maybe visit Madeira late Spring 2007 if its less than sunbathing temperatures -say low to mid 20s C / low 70s F

Hello. I will be visiting Funchal for the first time in March, to co-incide with my special birthday (40th). We have our hotel booked, but decided just to take bed and breakfast, so we can eat out at the various restuarants. The trip is independent, I hate being packaged. Flights are booked and when we get to the airport will need to arrange a taxi to the hotel. Does anyone know, do the taxi's have set tariffs or do you need to agree a price before getting in?

Any recommendations for nice places to eat? I don't eat meat, but my husband does, but we both eat fish.

Also any recommendations for good cakes?

What is the best way to get around the island? Does the bus cover the island or is one best to use a taxi? We do not want to hire a car.

We would like to go to Porto Santo for the day, is this possible as an independent traveller?

Many thanks for any help/advice.

Sarah

We are thinking of coming to Maderia August 06 and staying at the Maderia Regency Palace , can anyone help with the hotel,what is it like,how far from the centre, is it in a hilly situation. Will there be enough to do for a fortnights holiday

I am looking for a cheap guesthouse or a private room in Funchal. Anybody could help me?

Thanks!

We are planning a trip to Funchal Nov. 7th.What is the weather like during that time of year? Also, how far in Lisbon from Funchal? Thanks in advance for your response!

Hi my husband and I have just booked a holiday to Maderia for our 30th wedding anniversay in December. Any idea what weather we can expect, will it be possible to swim in outdoor pool. Also any tips on places to see, eat etc, especially for our anniversary dinner. Also any info on walking Levadas would be appreciated, are these graded organised walks or do you 'go alone'. Many thanks