Madeira

Portugal

Things to do in Madeira:

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Madeira Restaurants

Cheap (20)

The Vagrant

All aboard a boat once owned by the Beatles, now a restaurant serving dishes such as scabbard fish and bananas. read more
Affordable (24)

Chega de Saudade

Jazzy and modern space with excellent international fish, meat and salads - the salmon with a mozzarella crust comes highly recommended. read more
Good quality (19)

Xopana

High above Funchal, the fusion cuisine served here - game, seafood and speciality breads - is as sublime as the city views. read more

Madeira Nightlife

Chilled (21)

Espirito do Baco

Sample some of Madeira and Portugal's finest tipples at this tiny wine bar in the heart of the Old Town. It also serves tasty local cheeses, cakes and snacks. � read more
Live Music (16)

Santinho

A lively sports bar overlooking the harbour. Expect wicked caipirinha cocktails, theme nights and frequent live music. read more
Clubbing (17)

Copacabana

James Bond meets John Travolta: a glitzy casino disco with a diverse array of groovers hitting the dancefloor. read more

This Month in Madeira (March):

By Matthew Hancock

Shopping: Spring sees Funchal's main market, the Mercado das Lavradores, at its most colourful and vibrant. The perfect place to stock up on picnic items, it also sells a range of crafts and wickerwork (Large das Lavradores, Funchal).

Sightseeing: Top-league soccer action takes place this month when Lisbon giants clash with Funchal's big boys: Nacional takes on Benfica on 14 March (nacionaldamadeira.net) and Mar�timo takes on Sporting on the 28th (csmaritimo.pt).

Key areas: Walk the seafront promenade along Funchal's hotel zone. The most interesting stretch runs from the fantastic Ponta Grande lido complex out to Praia Formosa, an extensive stony beach.

Day trips: A 30-minute car or bus journey from Funchal, Porto da Cruz is a spectacularly sited fishing village nestled below towering mountains. Chill out at the town's sea-water swimming pools.

Madeira Trivia

March: Legend has it that in 1478 the Duke of Clarence, who was held prisoner in the Tower of London, chose to die by drowning in a butt of Madeira's Malmsey wine.
February: Up until the early 20th century, wealthy visitors to Funchal were transported via hammocks slung on two poles and carried by two strapping men.
January: Did you know that Madeira is actually an archipelago? The main island, Madeira Island, and Porto Santo are the only inhabited islands.