Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

The vast majority of visitors to Madeira base themselves in and around Funchal. It's by far the largest place on the island and has a vast choice of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. It's also the island's transportation hub. That's not to rule out staying in other parts of the island (Canico is establishing itself as a resort and the villages dotted along the south coast are quiet but very scenic), but as a first-time visitor, you'll probably appreciate the convenience of Funchal as a base.

Hotels in Funchal are concentrated mainly to the west of the centre in an area popularly known as the "Hotel Zone"m but there are other choices in the Old Town and on the hillsides to the north of Funchal. You pays your money and takes your choice... Check out tripadvisor for good advice.

You say you are considering a package holiday - that's what the vast majority of people do, although we've been several times under our own independent arrangements. One advantage from the package deals is that airport/hotel transfers are normally either included or are available for about 15 euros per person per transfer extra. There are local buses as well but they won't take you directly to your hotel, as well as local taxis which are more expensive, so take the transfer option when you book your package.

Not entirely sure what you mean by "self-catering deals" at the hotels. Generally most hotel packages in Madeira operate on a bed & breakfast rate. Half-board (i.e. B&B + evening meals) are usually available too for an additional supplement, if you like that sort of thing. Personally we prefer the excellent choice of local restaurants in the eveing and for lunch. A few of the hotels are basically "apartment hotel" set-ups where you get a suite or studio with a small kitchenette - popular with families with young children. There are a few reasonably big supermarkets if you want to self-cater some or all of your meals in ths way.

Day trips out of Funchal are numerous and easy to arrange on the spot either via your hotel or at the many tourist info / tour operator kiosks dotted around the hotel zone and near the harbour. We always hire a car and drive around under our own steam. But a word of warning: if you're not comfortable with driving around on precipitously steep and narrow country roads, take a bus tour or hire you own car plus driver for the day.

As a walker, you must try some of the famous levada walks - these are narrow paths that run along side the enormous network of irrigation channels across the island. The scenery and tranquility from many of these walks is quite breathtaking. You'll need to reseach this in more depth though as the levada walks vary considerable in levels of fitness needed and how scary the drops are.

Madeira is in a quite isolated position in the Atlantic, so the only ferry trip available is to the nearby island of Porto Santo. Porto Santo is a very quiet backwater (in the nicest sense of the word), but is popular with golfers, horseriders and sunbathers (it actually has miles of sandy beaches, unlike Madeira which has none). Be warned that the ferry journey over to Porto Santo takes about 3 hours each way and can be quite rough. Personally I wouldn't bother on a first visit to Madeira, there's enough to do without leaving the island.

Feel free to come back with any specifics.