Overview

If you prefer your own space over a hotel stay, self-catering in Old Town Funchal is the best way to enjoy Madeira’s marvellous capital city.

Your home for the week is a one-bedroom apartment in the lively Zona Velha – the old town district of Funchal, whose narrow cobbled alleyways and once-dilapidated buildings have found new life. Centred around the Rua Santa Maria, one of the island’s oldest streets, the colourfully painted doors and rehabilitated historic buildings of the Zona Velha come alive in the evenings, as locals and visitors enjoy an exhilarating mix of street-art, street-entertainment and superb Madeiran cuisine.

You’ll have time to explore the whole of Funchal – time to wander around her coffee shops, botanical gardens and historic architecture. You’ll also head further afield: our resident guides will take you on private tours of the Nuns Valley, the Paul de Serra and the Ponta Sao Lourenco, and there’s an afternoon at sea with Madeira’s whales and dolphins.

If you prefer peace and quiet, our holidays in Porto Moniz and Santana take you to the island’s most beautiful and secluded rural settings. This is very much a holiday for anyone who loves mingling with locals, alfresco dining, and late nights with a glass of first-rate Portuguese wine.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday flying direct from the UK to Madeira. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for your transfer into Funchal’s old town. For your evenings, we have a handy online guide to our favourite restaurants in the city.
We'll leave your morning free to you can begin exploring Funchal - the Avenida do Mar, the Se Cathedral and Blandy's Wine Lodge. You'll head to the local marina in the afternoon for a whale and dolphin watching trip.
You’ll take the cable car up to the Monte Palace, to explore the tropical gardens and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte. A second cable car will take you to the botanical gardens at Quinta do Bom Sucesso - home to over two thousand species of orchids, magnolias and azaleas. You could end the day with a ride on a Carro de Cesto – the famous wicker toboggans which run down the steep streets back towards the centre of Funchal.
You’ll take a private guided tour of the stunning scenery across the eastern end of Madeira, including visits to Pico do Arieiro, the forest park at Ribeiro Frio and the Sao Lourenco peninsula.
You’ll spend the morning with our guide exploring the secluded Curral das Freiras Nun’s Valley, the fishing village of Camara de Lobos and the famous viewpoint at Cabo Girao.
You’ll head north today on a private tour, including visits to Paul de Serra, the seawater swimming pools at Porto Moniz and the Casacata Veu da Noiva waterfall.
We'll leave your final day free, so you can relax in Funchal and shop for souvenirs for family and friends.
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £1300 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: direct return flights from the UK, accommodation in a one bedroom self-catering apartment, airport transfers, a whale and dolphin watching trip, two private jeep tours and a half-day taxi tour.

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