Madeira - 4 nights in October - no car - doable?
Discussion
I've never been to Madeira before but wife and I are planning a short break in mid-October.
we'd like to stay in a 'nice' hotel/ resort with swimming pool/s but close to nice restaurants too - didn't want to hire a car. Is this possible or a mistake as we should be exploring the island a bit?
All advice appreciated!
we'd like to stay in a 'nice' hotel/ resort with swimming pool/s but close to nice restaurants too - didn't want to hire a car. Is this possible or a mistake as we should be exploring the island a bit?
All advice appreciated!
I've been a couple of times. Stayed at the Royal Savoy both times (my friends had some sort of timeshare thing there). First time I spent the whole time around Funchal. Second time we got a taxi driver to give us a tour of the island. Personally, for such a short visit, I wouldn't bother hiring a car, there's plenty to do there.
As NDA said, I have just returned from Madeira on a 5 day trip (which turned into a 4 day trip when our outbound plane did an emergency landing at Bristol - but that is another story).
In short, I'd recommend NOT to hire a car. The roads are steep, labyrinthine, narrow and busy. Meeting a coach on a hairpin is not fun. Parking looked to be a nightmare too.
Taxis are cheap (make sure they put the meter on - they like to try to scam you). Some are ancient 80s Mercs (which I found quite charming). I think Uber works there, so language isn't a problem, but all our drivers spoke good enough English.
We did a fair amount of walking in Funchal - most of the sights are there. We didn't do any of the mountain walks but there are tours. We looked into hiring a taxi for the day and were told €60-80. We didn't do that in the end but it felt like it was a reasonable sum (YMMV).
Also, don't sit a nervous flyer in the window seat for the outbound flight. Funchal airport is the most difficult approach in Europe. Combine that with wind and it can be a bit spicy. The runway extends over the sea on stilts for added jeopardy.
In short, I'd recommend NOT to hire a car. The roads are steep, labyrinthine, narrow and busy. Meeting a coach on a hairpin is not fun. Parking looked to be a nightmare too.
Taxis are cheap (make sure they put the meter on - they like to try to scam you). Some are ancient 80s Mercs (which I found quite charming). I think Uber works there, so language isn't a problem, but all our drivers spoke good enough English.
We did a fair amount of walking in Funchal - most of the sights are there. We didn't do any of the mountain walks but there are tours. We looked into hiring a taxi for the day and were told €60-80. We didn't do that in the end but it felt like it was a reasonable sum (YMMV).
Also, don't sit a nervous flyer in the window seat for the outbound flight. Funchal airport is the most difficult approach in Europe. Combine that with wind and it can be a bit spicy. The runway extends over the sea on stilts for added jeopardy.
Purchase a ticket for a Big Yellow Bus tour. I think you can get some that last a couple of days. There are something like 26 stops.
You can get off at any one, explore and then catch the next one that comes along. Be sure to go to the overhanging glass platform on the cliffs, and the little fishing village.
You can get off at any one, explore and then catch the next one that comes along. Be sure to go to the overhanging glass platform on the cliffs, and the little fishing village.
Stayed in Funchal a number of times. No car required and plenty of places of interest within walking distance or taxi. We have stayed on the outskirts of Funchal in The Residence Porto Mare hotel which was very nice but a 20-25 min walk to the centre if you want more choice. Friends with a healthy budget stay at Reids Palace and loved it. We have also stayed in the Porto Bay hotel which is very central and adults only but not much entertainment in the hotel that suited us. But other places nearby for our music fix!
wax lyrical said:
I've never been to Madeira before but wife and I are planning a short break in mid-October.
we'd like to stay in a 'nice' hotel/ resort with swimming pool/s but close to nice restaurants too - didn't want to hire a car. Is this possible or a mistake as we should be exploring the island a bit?
All advice appreciated!
Look up the Next hotel by Savoy. Fraction of the cost as some of the others but a great hotel. Saltwater pool and bar ground level. Rooftop pool with bar also. 10-15 minute walk into centre of town. We loved our stay there. we'd like to stay in a 'nice' hotel/ resort with swimming pool/s but close to nice restaurants too - didn't want to hire a car. Is this possible or a mistake as we should be exploring the island a bit?
All advice appreciated!
Every day a journey said:
Look up the Next hotel by Savoy. Fraction of the cost as some of the others but a great hotel. Saltwater pool and bar ground level. Rooftop pool with bar also. 10-15 minute walk into centre of town. We loved our stay there.
Their website makes it out to be a hotel for people in their late teens - twenties, is it really like that?The Gauge said:
Their website makes it out to be a hotel for people in their late teens - twenties, is it really like that?
Nope. Nothing like that at all! From someone that’s rapidly approaching their half century and it was only two years ago we stayed there ?
Edited by Every day a journey on Monday 1st September 20:20
And awesome wedding day sunrise from room 207
Edited by Every day a journey on Monday 1st September 20:21
We did a week there at start of school summer holidays. Stayed at Royal Savoy which was fine. Restaurant opposite does some great meats on skewers. Definitely worth doing one of the day tours in a minibus. We did the west side tour and it was brilliant.
We also got an extra night as it was too windy to land when our flight was due. First we've experienced a cancelled flight.
We also got an extra night as it was too windy to land when our flight was due. First we've experienced a cancelled flight.
We stayed at the Pestana Promenade a couple of years ago, a bigger hotel than we’d usually choose but recommended by trusted friends and it was really good. Car hire seemed expensive , we managed fine using buses and taxis. First time in Madeira, really enjoyed it and going back next year.
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