Hotel Porto Santa Maria: A Perfect Location Near the Mercado and Oceanfront

The Madeira skywalk which is on a suspended glass platform

Views from a hiking trail

My husband and I enjoyed our time at this hotel. The breakfasts were fantastic! Everything was upscale and the staff was friendly, helpful and accommodating! The room we had was a side-view room which had a great view of the sea from our balcony. The bed was very comfortable and we slept well. There is a cozy bar area that guests gather in with entertainment in the evening. It is wonderful to step outside the hotel and be in the center of the activity as well as stroll or bike ride on the promenade. The path in the promenade winds around the sea and passes the harbor with all the cruise ships.

The famous Reids Palace Hotel that Winston Churchill visited many times with his wife

One of the fun things to do in Funchel is to wander around the bustling Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) where you can sample Madeira products.. The CR7 museum, which showcases football hero Cristiano Ronaldo, is another worthwhile stop. The exhilarating cable car ride up to Monte is a nice opportunity to get a birds-eye view of the town. The most colorful street filled with art is Rua de Santa Maria Street, and there are little outdoor cafes set up outside to have lunch or dinner. One of the best places to do wine tasting is at the historic Blandys Wine Lodge. The Madeira Wine Museum is a great place to place to learn about history and wine production.

Madeira is filled with red roofs and mountainous peaks and valleys

If you enjoy gardens, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a lovely place to take a walk. A whale-watching tour will bring you up close and personal to the many dolphins and whales that live and play in the waters surrounding Madeira. We rented e-bikes from Happy Bikes in Fuchel and biked to the charming fishing town of Camara de Lobos for lunch in one of the many outdoor cafes that dotted the harbor. Winston Churchill loved to paint here, and it is very picturesque. We loved our bike ride and were happy we rented e-bikes since the whole island is mountainous and the roads wind around the coastal cliffs with stunning views around every turn. We highly recommend this well-located, lovely hotel for a pleasant stay in Funchal.

The Madeira Cloud Forest

Hiking in the Madeira mist

The famous fortified wines of Madeira are worth a taste by doing a vineyard visit or taking a full-day tour with lunch and cultural experiences.

For more inspiration and travel recommendations, check out our Portugal page.