Funchal & South-East Madeira

Madeira and Porto Santo

Built like a natural amphitheatre on a series of hills surrounding a sweeping bay, Madeira's capital Funchal is undoubtedly one of Portugal's most stunningly situated cities. The beauty of this setting is further enhanced by the city's graceful colonial architecture and by its abundance of lovingly tended parks and gardens, a legacy of the island's long British connection, which was first fostered through the trade in Madeira's famous wines.

Funchal is a city of beguiling contrasts, and perhaps the most striking contrast is between the palatial hotels of the modern hotel zone, set on the cliffs just west of the city centre and the unpretentious, picturesque back streets of the "Zona Velha", the old town quarter just to the east. As we feel that most of our guests prefer more traditional and authentic surroundings, most of our properties are situated in the old town, which is full of atmospheric restaurants and inexpensive cafés, where you can get a real taste of local life.

Funchal's centre is reasonably flat and boasts some excellent shopping streets, a colourful covered market, and numerous stately old buildings, including an imposing cathedral and a lovely theatre. An elegant seafront promenade runs the length of the bay, past the port, the marina and a rocky but adequate town beach. Behind the town centre, the roads start climbing steeply into the hills, and it is here that many of the town's most desirable residential areas can be found, along with the famous botanical gardens and impressive old manor houses. Looking up at the hills at night, the lights twinkle like a firmament, where the brightest constellation is the twin-towered church of Monte, a popular excursion spot during the day, especially since the completion of the cable car ride, which takes visitors from the seafront to an altitude of 600 metres in minutes, with breathtaking views along the way. After taking in the splendid Monte Palace Gardens, you can start your return to the town by racing down the steep cobbled streets in to the suburb of Livamento, in an old wicker toboggan.

For those who wish to be close to Funchal yet prefer a more rural setting, we also offer a selection of properties just outside the city. Just 15 minutes' drive to the west, in the heart of the island's most famous wine growing area is the village of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, which boasts stunning views down to the Atlantic and some excellent walking terrain. A similar distance east, conveniently situated between Funchal and the airport, are the quiet village of Caniço and the relaxing seaside resort of Caniço de Baixo, which is set on the shores of an underwater nature reserve and boasts an excellent scuba diving centre, as well as a small rocky beach and a public lido. Caniço de Baixo has a few restaurants and a regular bus service to Funchal, making it a convenient base for those seeking a peaceful location without the need to hire a car.

Heading further east and inland from here, you will come to Santo da Serra, a small village set on a natural plateau. Home to one of Madeira's two golf courses (the other one is closer to Funchal at Palheiro), the wooded hills around Santo da Serra also offer some scenic and - by Madeiran standards - rather gentle terrain for walking.

Funchal