What to see and do
÷ Fancy a hike?
THE levada trails are popular. These 16th-century irrigation channels criss-cross the island, through ancient laurel forests, under waterfalls and around mountains. Go on a guided walk with Adventure Kingdom (£32, madeira-adventure-kingdom. com). A walk not to be missed is along Ponta de Sao Lourenco, the jagged peninsula marking Madeira’s easternmost point. To reach it, hire a car (from £36, drivingmadeira.com). ÷ Explore the Old Town STROLL the Old Town’s streets edged by galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Don’t miss Rua de Santa Maria. Here, about 200 doorways have been rejuvenated with vivid paintings, transforming the street into a permanent art gallery.
Stop at Tapas do Anibal for a tuna sandwich (£2.22) and glass of wine (£1.78). ÷ Jump in a basket TAKE a cable car (£9.76 one way) to Monte, a hilltop suburb of Funchal, and visit the Palace Tropical Gardens (£11), which displays tropical plants from around the world.
When you’re finished, take Madeira’s famous toboggan ride back down again.
Introduced in the 19th century to transport goods down the three-mile hill, wicker toboggans now whizz tourists back towards Funchal (£26.60 for two people).
Not for the faint-hearted. ÷ Pack a picnic FUNCHAL has myriad parks brimming with beautiful flowers and plants. Grab picnic food at a supermarket or bakery and relax in Santa Catarina Park. From here you can admire Funchal Bay and enjoy a refreshing homemade lemonade (£2.90) from the cafe overlooking the harbour. ÷ Must-see museums THE museums cover everything from electricity to embroidery. Footie fans will enjoy CR7, Cristiano Ronaldo’s museum housing more than 150 trophies, plus balls, shirts and other memorabilia ( museucr7.com). Try to fit in a visit to Madeira Story Centre, which charts the island’s history ( madeirastory centre.com). ÷ Island hopping HOP on the ferry (£43 return, portosantoline.pt) and spend the day on sister island Porto Santo, with its six-mile sandy beach. The crossing takes two hours, but you’ll be awestruck at Madeira’s towering landscape from the sea. ÷ Enjoy promenading ADMIRE the black-and-white mosaic pavements along the marina towards the eastern side of the seafront. Head to the bustling Workers’ Market, where a profusion of fruit, veg, flowers and fish produces a feast of colour and aroma.