Funchal

Funchal is the largest city in Madeira and has been the capital of this tropical island for over 5 centuries. It has a population of over 100,000 and was the birthplace of famous footballer Christiano Ronaldo. The city of Funchal has a history spanning back to the early 15th century when it began life as a small settlement. There are many attractions to experience in this beautiful city including the Story Centre, a place where visitors can learn about the history of Madeira. There are many architectural and natural wonders on this island to explore too like the Se Cathedral or the basalt cave of Capela de Sao Vicente. Other natural attractions include the Laurissilva forest and the Garajau Nature Reserve.

There are dozens of hotels in this fantastic city, and each can offer you something to truly enhance your experience during your Madeira holiday. A hotel situated on the cliff will give you unparalleled views of Madeira's coastline, and there are hotels based further inland offering immediate access to the city's attractions. The Porto Mare Hotel offers tourists splendid views of gardens and the coast as well as self catering facilities. The staff here are vibrant and helpful and visitors have the hotel safe at their disposal. An apartment in Funchal can be rented for as little as around £30 a night. Fitted kitchens are built into every apartment and many of them are situated within 1km of a beach.

So why should you come to Madeira? Firstly this island boasts terrific climate conditions and the temperatures can soar up to 30 degrees during summer. The scenery is second to none and a cable car ride up the mountain will highlight this fact more clearly. A stay in any hotel or apartment in this city will also give you access to the many bars and clubs. Copacabana for example is a lively nightclub and entry is only 10 Euros. Guests staying in a hotel or apartment in Funchal are also within range of the Pestana Casino Park, popular with both tourists and locals. There is a hotel within these grounds with 340 rooms and this park is home to 15,000 sq ft of landscape gardens.