Funchal

Funchal spreads itself in a hilly amalgam of houses, shops, restaurants and cafe bars. Sloping steeply in parts, the town is softly draped in lush tropical style foliage and fabulous gardens thanks to the rich volcanic soil. 

The whole island of Madeira is a botanical marvel and the exotic plants and riotous flowering shrubs have an almost ethereal feel with the majestic Atlantic as backdrop, so Madeira holidays have a dramatic setting. The atmosphere in Funchal is really friendly, casual and utterly relaxing. The local people are genuinely welcoming and they have a very pleasant laid back attitude.

The "downtown" area of Funchal is busy and thriving and the Lido and seafront promenade are de rigeur for an early evening perambulation! There's a colourful market, a selection of wonderful restaurants (seafood is fabulous here), local bars, pavement cafes and lots of shops.

People watching is a national pastime in Madeira (and Funchal in particular) and shopping for lovely local products, typical handicrafts like baskets and ceramics and even designer name goods is another popular pursuit.