Recommendations for ACTIVITIES IN NATURE
Levada walks: so many to choose from, have a look through our guidebooks. Levada is pretty much always a flat easy walk as it follows an irrigation canal (the Portuguese word 'levar' means to carry, i.e. to carry water). Try the local Levada Nova and Levada Moinho that pass nearby and you can reach it on foot from the back gate of our house. Try to avoid the most popular levadas due to many tourists doing the same, resulting in overcrowding.
Coastal walk at the tip of the island – Ponta de São Lourenço. A rewarding medium difficulty 3-4 hrs return walk which you can combine with food at the Muralha’s Bar visit in Caniçal.
Beaches: Ponta do Sol (small local pebbles), Ribeira Brava (small local black sandy), Calheta (artificial sandy), Seixal (black sand with a small waterfall and fantastic green mountains), Prainha do Caniçal (tiny sandy enclave), Porto Moniz (natural rock swimming pools), Calhau da Lapa (remote place surrounded by residential caves accessed by a fairly difficult walk down the cliff next to a waterfall.
Pico do Arieiro - one of the highest points on the island. There is a high-difficulty walk leading to another mountain peak and back (perfectly doable within a day), but you can also make it into an easy stroll just by going down for 10-15 mins for the stunning vistas with clouds rolling in from deep valleys (interesting during any kind of weather, and spectacular at sunset).
Cabo Girão - some of the highest cliffs in Europe with a vertical drop where you can stand on a skywalk made of glass. It’s easily done en route to/ from Funchal.
Garajau – with its monumental statue of Christ, it’s already worth visiting. Underneath the hill, however, there is a nice secluded rocky beach with a bar/ restaurant. You can drive down via a narrow road or take a cable car for the ultimate experience.
Achadas das Cruz – an out-of-this-world experience in a remote village at the bottom of the cliff that you can access by a cable car. Recommended to hike down (difficult but excellent) and ride back up.
Sports facilities (Centro Desportivo da Madeira) - next to the Continente supermarket there are picturesquely located and affordable tennis and padel courts. You can use the rackets we keep in the garage and book the courts at +351-291950120
A few external useful links:
- Live cameras from key locations on the island to check the weather before you go:
- Hiking guide for the best adventurous walks:
Our suggested trip itineraries
Recommendations for RESTAURANTS:
Bar O Caçador – Pizzaria & Churrascaria (2-minute walk)
A local favourite offering a wide selection of freshly prepared dishes, including excellent wood-fired pizzas and traditional Madeiran meat skewers. Perfect if you don't feel like driving.Angelina's Place (3-minute drive)
A beautiful, Thai-inspired restaurant with stylish surroundings and delicious food. A lovely choice for a relaxed evening or a special meal.Muralha Terrace (Ribeira Brava 10-minute drive)
One of our most reliable recommendation. A modern indoor/outdoor restaurant serving consistently excellent food and a very good wine selection.Casa de Pedra (Madalena do Mar 20-minute drive)
One of our favourite local restaurants, located just by the beach. The upstairs terrace is a wonderful place to enjoy lunch or dinner while watching at the sun.A Poita (Madalena do Mar 20-minute drive)
A relaxed seafood restaurant popular with both locals and visitors. Expect fresh fish, moderate prices and a charming atmosphere inspired by Madeira's fishing heritage.Miradouro Cruz da Caldeira (Cabo Girão 15-minute drive)
A fantastic viewpoint overlooking the greater Funchal area and an excellent place to enjoy traditional Madeiran Espetada—juicy beef skewers cooked over a wood fire and served on a hanging metal skewer.
Muralha's Bar (Caniçal after the airport)
A relaxed spot close to the beach with affordable prices and plenty of outdoor seating. Their speciality is Lapas Grelhadas (grilled limpets), alongside a variety of seafood dishes to share (picado) that are popular throughout Madeira and the Azores.
Casa de Abrigo do Poiso (by Camacha, on the way to Pico de Areeiro)
Nestled in the mountains, this cosy wooden restaurant is famous for its traditional Espetada. The mountain setting makes it a memorable stop before or after exploring the island's central peaks.
Sol e Mar (Paul do Mar 30-minute drive)
A relaxed seafront restaurant offering good food at reasonable prices. After your meal, take a stroll along the promenade, where you'll find several small cafés and bars overlooking the ocean.
Las Caraibas (Seixal beach)
A slightly more refined dining experience with wonderfully friendly service, beautifully presented dishes and a stunning location beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Restaurante Cachalote (Porto Moniz)
Perfectly located next to the famous natural swimming pools. Whether you're looking for a casual lunch on the outdoor terrace or a more elegant meal inside, this is always a great choice.
One of our favourite local dishes here is Espada com Banana—Madeira's famous black scabbard fish served with banana.
PONCHA places (traditional Madeira fruit & sugar cane rum drink bars)
Taberna da Poncha in Serra D’Agua – a legendary place where it is made locally and eaten with peanuts thrown onto the floor
Bar A Quinta in Quinta Grande - a local place, 15-mins drive. They offer a unique taste of strawberries & lime - very refreshing. It is called mora-lima poncha (morangos in Portuguese is strawberries)
Rei da Poncha in Funchal - one of the best places in central Funchal with outdoor tables
Sugar cane rum factory (Sociedade dos Engenhos) in Calheta - an exhibition and a shop with a variety of bottled rum drinks, ponchas and one of the best Madeiran cakes to buy as fantastic souvenirs
ICE CREAM
Baloo - Gelados Artesanais in Ponta do Sol – a legendary artisanal home-made with exciting flavours, just by the main promenade, next to the Palm Spot Restaurant. The opening hours are not fixed, so be on the lookout mainly in the evenings, from about 6 pm
Ritz in Funchal - a magnificent hotel by a beautiful park. For delicious and not-that-expensive ice cream, you can find the on-the-go counter on the right of the restaurant. Or you can sit down and enjoy the outdoor tables.
Holiday practicalities
Rent a car
You need a car to travel around the island comfortably. Technically, there is a bus that you can take from outside our house to Ribeira Brava and then change to go to Funchal or the Airport, but these are only for the adventurous ones. The buses are local and therefore slower, making them not very convenient, except for use in emergency situations.
Here are the rental car companies that we can recommend:
Supermarket
The most convenient big yet not crowded supermarket is 7 mins drive – Continente Modelo. It is in Ribeira Brava, picturesquely located by the mountains, usually with a waterfall visible in the distance on your right. Open 8 - 23 everyday!
The exact address: Continente, Modelo, Sitio da Meia Légua, Ribeira Brava, 9350-131 Funchal, (important not to mistake it with a smaller local market under the same name that is in the Ribeira Brava town centre).
We also leave you the supermarket’s loyalty card attached to the house keys that give you some pretty good discounts.
