Funchal holidays

Funchal won’t let you down on the food front. With a mild climate on its side, get ready to sample the freshest fruit from papayas to bananas and passion fruit. Locals also make use of its Atlantic waters with restaurants loaded with fish dishes. Head to the city’s bakeries and try a pastel de nata, a Portuguese custard tart with a hint of cinnamon. For a sit-down dining experience, O Tasco is just the place. Combining a laid-back atmosphere with traditional cooking, it doesn’t get much more authentic than this popular eatery. If you’re a lover of meat make sure you look out for espetada, which is basically chunks of beef with a coating of garlic and salt, served on a large stick. When you’re looking for something to wash it all down with, sample the local beer Coral, which has been brewed since 1872, or choose between sweet or dry wines. But Poncha is the island’s most famed beverage, and you can’t miss it thanks to its bright orange colour.

You’ve got a good choice of beaches when you come to Funchal. Holidaymakers can head for its famous Lido or opt for Praia Formosa, the largest out of them all, stretching for two kilometres and split into four beaches. Filled with black sand and a great choice of amenities, this is Funchal’s main coastal lure. To the east, you’ll find Praia de Barreirinha, a sheltered pebbled number filled with multiple sea pools. Its purpose-built lidos are equally as inviting with a separate children’s pool perfect for those holidaying with little ones in tow.

Funchal lives up to its capital status. Whether you come here to bask in its subtropical temperatures, stumble across natural assets or wander the Old Town exploring its historic side, everyone is catered for. Outdoorsy types will love taking on Levada Walks, a network of paths transporting water to each part of the island. As for evenings, holidaymakers can head to the marina for their clubbing fix with cocktail spots and the odd nightclub providing hours of party fun.

Take the cable car up to the Botanical Garden: You can’t come to Madeira without stepping foot in one of its most beautiful gardens. Perched high in Funchal’s hillside, ride the cable car to the top and take in mind-blowing vistas as you travel over João Gomes Stream Valley. This exotic attraction is home to over 2,000 plants taken from all over the world including orchids, magnolias and cacti. As for wildlife, look out for 60 species of birds, each singing their own unique song. And you can’t beat the many viewpoints, where you can capture aerial photos of the city surrounded by miles of Atlantic Ocean.

Speed downhill in a wicker toboggan: If you’re looking for a truly unique experience during your time in Funchal, then this is it. Head to the upper terminal in Monte and get ready for an unconventional experience as you ride downhill from a wicker toboggan pushed by men dressed in white suits and straw hats. This tradition dates back to the 1800s and was how locals used to travel through the city. Starting from Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, the two-kilometre-ride picks up rapid speed along the way, before reaching you final destination Livramento.