Looking for a Walkable Madeira Base? Where To Stay Without a Car
Wherever I look, people are asking for what would be a “good walkable Madeira base”. The problem with this quest is that Madeira is not, well, very walkable. Outside of Funchal, you’ll 100% need a car. In Funchal, even something 20 minutes away from the city center will usually entail a steep walk up the hill. Plus, even if you don’t need a car to walk around the city, there’s much more to the island than Funchal. Which is why it’s very hard to come to Madeira without renting a car, hiring a driver or a few private tours.
That said, there’s a small area in Funchal downtown where you can both walk around the city and catch buses to other parts of the island. Besides, should you hire a private tour, it will be very easy to find operators who can pick you up in downtown Funchal – unlike what happens if you decide to stay further away. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of the best areas to stay in Funchal, as well as a few recommendations about where to stay.
1. Old Town / Zona Velha
Zona Velha is the oldest working class neighbourhood in Funchal. Granted, very few people still live in the area, which is now a hotspot for restaurants, bars, the odd hostel and tourist apartments. It’s right at the heart of Funchal, so you can walk anywhere, catch buses near the cable car, or find a taxi at any time of the day. However, there are a few caveats: first, the noise from the hotels and bars; the smell of food all day long; and narrow, pebble streets aren’t accessible by car, so you’ll probably need to walk a little bit.
2. Lido / São Martinho
Lido is the “hotel area”. Packed with five-star resorts, it feels more like a busy Little Monaco tailored to tourists than a small town. Restaurants will promptly hand out English and German language menus, there’s the odd Irish pub, tour buses, expensive small mini-markets with an unexpected selection of internacional sauces, and a surprising amount of ragtime and jazz concerts. If you’re staying here, there’s always something open. However, you’ll be a little removed from the old town and the highlights.
That said, there are always buses coming back and forth the city center. Rodoeste, heading to Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and even Porto Moniz also stops near the biggest hotels, which means you have some options to get out of Funchal as well. So, technically, you can do without a car, but I wouldn’t say it’s “walkable”. Unless you prefer a hotel with tons of amenities – which is not a bad idea, especially when the weather is unpredictable – I wouldn’t choose this area for an AirBnB.
3. Cathedral area
This is the city centre proper, and by far the most walkable area in Funchal. From here, you’ll also be able to find buses, tour pick-ups, and all sorts of ways to go around the island. It’s calmer at night than the Zona Velha, so it’ll be easier to sleep at night. There aren’t a lot of good hotels in the area, but there are nice holiday apartments at a premium price. In fact, there are so many of them that very people still live there, which can make the streets a little eerie after the sun sets.
I should also give you a word of caution regarding apartments in the São Pedro, Santa Luzia and Imaculado Coração areas, which often appear pretty close to the city center on the maps. However, due to the hills, these can easily become quite strenous walks. My advice is to check on Google Maps how long does it take from the city center to your accommodation – which is the way up – and see if you feel okay with that. If you want to rent an apartment in these areas, look for ones that include parking. You know, just in case!
Other parts of the city, such as Monte, Santo António and São Gonçalo, are further way from the city center and you’ll need to either rent a car or hire a private driver. While some hotels offer excellent views of the bay, just beware that these are not “walkable bases”.
Top hotel & Airbnb picks
Here are a few places that can work as a walkable base in Madeira:
Hotels
Castanheiro Boutique Hotel – located in the Old Town; it has an historic feel with modern comfort, rooftop views. Occasionally organises concerts and events.
The Vine Hotel – modern, stylish, central and very walkable, on top of the shopping centre so you have everything you need at your feet.
Tourist Apartments
Tourist apartment in São Pedro near the city centre, spacious and still walkable.
Tourist apartment centrally located, on the same building as the Vine Hotel.
Small but cosy apartment in the city centre, near the Municipal Garden.
Apartment in the Old Town, but away from the busy restaurant area.
Luxury apartment at the heart of Funchal, near the Farmer’s market.
Apartment between the city centre and Lido, with a pool, sea view and parking.
Apartment close to the casino with excellent reviews.
Charming apartment near the casino and the Funchal cruise port.