Madeira

We went here three years ago early March and the weather was warm and sunny. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We did some of the walks and booked tours as I didn't want to drive. We stayed in an apartment in Funchal and could walk or bus to main centre. Go and enjoy.

Quinta Bella Vista hotel is right at the bottom harbour part of Funchal so you don’t have to climb the hill. Lots of lovely restaurants in that area all on the flat as well. Then walk to the other side of the promenade to catch the cable car to see the lovely gardens and there are a couple of restaurants at the to there too and a cafe in the gardens. The gardens are hilly and in tiers so fine going down, a pull coming up but well worth it, beautiful flowers . If you don’t want a hotel there are apartments to rent and then you can eat out . I love Madeira, been 3 times.

Lemongrove I would go back to the Cliff Bay, just take antihistamines. If you like Italian Food have a look at Villa Cipriani.

I shall rack my feeble brain to think of the names of the restaurants. There is one in”The Castle” in Funchal, cannot remember the name but food was good, I think they will send a vintage car to pick you up.

We're Royal Savoy fans. It's nearer the harbour and has a fabulous lido. We've been meny times to Madeira and are very fond of it. The temperate climate is fine all year round and flowers seem to grow in any spot of soil. So much to see and do and lots of nice places to eat. I'm sure you'd love it

Thank you all SO much for your helpful suggestions!

That’s where we have booked ( the Cliff Bay Hotel )
However the Eden Mar is also very nice, with lovely gardens and walks next to the sea.

morethan2 I put my asthma flare up to the cleaning products used in the Cliff Bay. The pharmacist in Funchal was extremely helpful.

I struggled with my asthma in Madeira but staying at the Cliff Bay made up for it. Happy golden wedding anniversary

Love yr comment Pantsglas1 a girl after my own heart.

I’ve never been to Madeira Newquay but a couple of friends have. They said the flowers were stunning. They thought it was expensive and very hilly but loved it.

That was such a shame but tbh I felt overall their dining options didn’t quite reach the mark of their 5 stars and although we were booked in for DBB we were also bit underwhelmed with their restaurant and ate out in the evening a couple of times. However that was maybe just us. If you are a lover of fish it’l suit. I loved everything else about our stay, our room was beautiful and would return.

I thought the thread would be about the drink. Have some Madeira, m'dear!

Brunette10, we have stayed at the The Cliff Bay, lovely hotel.

We ate in their “Michelin Star”
Restaurant one night and were considerably underwhelmed.

Villa Cipriani next door in Reid’s was 100% better.

We stayed at The Cliff Bay which is lovely and very central and can recommend. Had Afternoon Tea at Reid’s which is a must if you enjoy that sort of thing. Hope you have a lovely time celebrating your special anniversary.

Love it Pantglas1 ??. Fond of a snifter myself, the island's pretty too!

I love Madeira and been a couple of times. We stay in Funchal near the port which is at the bottom of the hill. Many hotels including Reid’s Palace are a good 20 minute walk down the hill although many hotels run a bus into the centre.
April is a good time to go and if you love flowers go to Jardin Palheiro. You can stay there in Quinta de Palheiro which is fabulous but up the hill and quite a way from Funchal although there are buses.

I like Madeira as well but only over ice.....oh sorry, I’ve misunderstood.... again.... hic!

It will be beautiful in Spring but also other times. I would stay in Funchal if you can where it is flatter as there are some very steep hills. My sandals broke going up and down so much! Near the port is good as well and also Reid's and Cliff Bay as suggested by GrannyGravy because you can walk into Funchal from there and gorgeous views. We stayed in Porto Mare Hotel which is also lovely but a little bit further along. Botanic Gardens worth a visit as suggested and go up and down in the cable car - there was a sledge trip down the steep streets which we braved! There is a good bus service and taxis. We did a couple of excursions which were interesting but nerve wracking for me as very mountainous and I don't like these kind of roads.

If you like Italian food Villa Cipriani is part of Reid’s Hotel but in a separate “Italianate” villa. It is the best Italian meal I have ever had, ideal for a celebration.

It has a balcony overlooking the sea and the sunset was sublime.

I love Madeira, been there a few times, good buses go all over and plentiful taxis. We walked back to Funchal from one of the big gardens, I would not recommend the walk, it is tremendously steep and toes became black and blue slipping forward in shoes. The market is lovely and close to the centre try to get a Funchal hotel with a garden for evening sitting and easy strolling by the sea. There are plenty of levada walks but we only did a couple and tbh most are scary, narrow paths at a height

Climate is perfect

Been in November- sunny but with a breeze and some thunderstorms and in May- better weather. Buses are excellent and you can buy a ticket for 2 days. But there are also lots of mini-bus and coach trips. It is a very hilly island but there are flat walks on sea front etc. If you want to go up in the cable car get there early before the cruise passengers arrive when there is a long queue. Beautiful gardens. If you want to see how the rich once lived pop into Reids Palace Hotel in Funchal for a drink on the terrace. Winston Churchill stayed there and lots of film stars.

There are regular buses in any case, so no need to drive, or even walk too far.

Go to the flower market - really stunning.

We loved Madeira in the spring - amazing plants and flowers. You can get a cable car up to it. We also did a lovely dolphin watching boat trip - the owners picked us up in a taxi from our hotel, the boat was clean and comfortable plus we saw lots of dolphins. For €25 each we thought it great value.

Madeira has a temperate climate all year round. We went there in early November, and it was in the 70s most days.
Funchal is the main resort, with many hotels to choose from, but as already mentioned, it IS quite hilly. I can't comment on bus services, but there are lots of taxis, which are quite reasonable. Driving isn't a good idea - we hired a car for a few days, but the drivers are a bit manic, and the mountain roads can be a bit nerve-wracking due to rocky outcrops.

There is a beautiful Botanic garden nearby, which, due to the climate is always nice to visit.

Congratulations on your Golden anniversary!

Can thoroughly recommend Reid’s and Cliff Bay(?) which is next door. Short 5 minute walk into Funchal.

The gardens are beautiful in early May, I hope you have a wonderful trip.