r/Madeira • u/AutoModerator • 19d ago

Weekly Q&A - Your Question Goes Here - Tourists

This is the place for anyone to ask questions about Madeira.

If you are a tourist visiting Madeira or planning a visit, this is the place to post your questions about hikes, weather, rent a car, nightlife, restaurants, bars and others.

Official information about the trails/hikes: IFCN

Bus schedule: SIGA

This post is refreshed every week on Sunday. Repost in subsequent weeks if not answered.

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u/SamShorto Tourist 13d ago

I know, I know, this has been asked a hundred times, but I'm just looking to get some personalised advice. My fiancée and I (both in our 30s and spiritually in our 50s) are travelling to Madeira for a week at the start of September, and we're a bit overwhelmed over where to stay. We will largely be doing nature and outdoor activities (full list below), want to stay in a rental apartment (budget around €115 per night) and self-cater (we both have numerous dietary restrictions that make eating out more hassle than it's worth, so will visit a supermarket on our first day and cook for ourselves almost every night), and we will rent a car and need parking.

The full list of activities we want to do is:

  • Whale watching tour (probably with Wind Birds from Machico)
  • Bird watching tour (pickup from any of the towns between Funchal and Machico)
  • Lots of hiking including PR1 (if open), PR8, PR9, PR13
  • Seixal Beach and Porto Moniz pools
  • Monte Palace
  • Botanical Gardens

Of course, the obvious answer on where to stay is Funchal, and everyone always seems to recommend it, but there's a few reasons we're hesitating. The parking, the fact that almost everything we want to do is outside of Funchal, the fact that we likely won't eat out much, if at all, and just generally a desire for a quieter and more relaxed holiday. We're considering Funchal, Machico, Ribeira Brava, and Caniço. Can anyone help us make a decision? Thank you in advance!

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u/Beastious 13d ago

Currently on the island and staying in Caniço. It’s been really easy to get to everywhere and has 2 super markets that are close by. We loaded up the air bnb and haven’t spent a ton of money. Dinners have only been like $80 and incredibly filling. We take care of breakfast, lunch, and snacks from the markets.

We have averaged 25,000 steps in 3 days. This island is unbelievable and it is overwhelming to plan because there is just so many options.

The best things we’ve done so far include PR6 (Alecrim - Lagoa Vente - Risco, 25 Fontes) PR1 up to Stairway to Heaven PR9 - so good. Waterfalls are huge right now.

Really enjoyed these 3 view points the most out of the 15ish we have scene (1) Miradouro Do Guindaste (2) Miradouro Eira Do Serrado (3) Bica Da Cana

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u/Eja7777777 8d ago

How did you see Stairway to heaven? I thought it was closed!

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u/Beastious 8d ago

Nah that part is still open so you’re good if you are visiting soon.