Where to Stay in Madeira
Every visitor to Madeira needs a base. Whether you want a boutique hotel in Funchal's old town, a traditional quinta in the laurel forest, or a cliff-top guesthouse on the north coast — here's how to choose.
Funchal
Old town, marina, cable car — the classic base
- Boutique hotels in Zona Velha
- Seafront resorts in the Lido
- Apartment rentals in São Martinho
Best for: First-timers, food lovers, nightlife
Note: The steep hills above the old town if you dislike walking uphill
Full Funchal guide →
Santana
Thatched-roof villages and laurisilva access
- Traditional quintas with gardens
- Levada-side guesthouses
- Rural tourism cottages
Best for: Hikers, nature lovers, quiet stays
Note: Expect fog and cooler nights; restaurants close early
Full Santana guide →
Porto Moniz
Volcanic pools on the wild north-west coast
- Clifftop hotels over the Atlantic
- Family-run B&Bs
- Self-catering apartments
Best for: Swimmers, coastal walkers, sunset views
Note: The north coast is cloudier and wetter than the south
Full Porto Moniz guide →
Machico
Madeira's first settlement — calm and sunny
- A small beachfront hotel or two
- Guesthouses in the old quarter
- Family-run B&Bs
Best for: Families, golden-sand beach, local atmosphere
Note: Smaller dining scene than Funchal — but much more local than touristy
Full Machico guide →
Calheta
Golden-sand beach and marina life
- Marina apartments
- Hillside villas with pools
- Small boutique inns
Best for: Sun-seekers, sailors, relaxed coastal stays
Note: Less nightlife; plan to drive to Funchal for evening dining
Full Calheta guide →
Caniço de Baixo
Seaside resort villas with a local restaurant scene
- Seafront hotels (3–5 star)
- Residential apartments
- Clifftop villas with pools
Best for: Families, Reis Magos beach, value vs Funchal
Note: A short drive to Funchal for big nightlife or major sights
Full Caniço de Baixo guide →
Câmara de Lobos
Churchill's fishing village, now a Funchal suburb
- Clifftop villas
- Traditional town houses
- Budget guesthouses
Best for: Budget travellers, local atmosphere, poncha bars
Note: Traffic into Funchal at rush hour
Full Câmara de Lobos guide →
Booking tips
- Book early for festivals. The Flower Festival (May) and New Year's fireworks fill every room in Funchal months ahead.
- Check parking. Many old-town hotels have no private parking. Funchal's street parking is paid and tight.
- North-coast stays need a car. Buses run, but once or twice a day. A rental opens up trailheads and viewpoints.
- Quintas often include breakfast. Many are half-board or serve a generous local breakfast — ask when booking.
Real common complaints by area
Aggregated from thousands of English-language reviews on Booking, Google and Tripadvisor over the last 24 months. Use this to filter listings before you book.
Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha)
Top complaint Noise from bars & restaurants until 01:00
- Steep cobbled streets — luggage struggle
- Limited private parking; public garages €12–18/day
- Small rooms in converted 19th-century townhouses
How to filter: Look for 'double-glazed windows' and a room facing an internal courtyard.
Funchal Lido / São Martinho
Top complaint Long walk (or steep hill) into the old town
- Some 1970s-era resorts feel dated inside
- Sea views often mean street noise on Estrada Monumental
- Pool areas overcrowded on cruise-ship days
How to filter: Book a renovated block; ask for a floor above 4th for sea view without traffic noise.
Caniço de Baixo
Top complaint Very steep hills between hotel and beach
- Some hotels rely on cliff lifts that break down
- Quiet in the evenings — you need a car for Funchal dining
- A handful of large hotels dominate the strip — book early
How to filter: If mobility is a concern, choose a hotel with its own working elevator to the ocean.
Porto Moniz
Top complaint Cloudier and rainier than the south coast
- Very quiet after 20:00 — few restaurants open late
- Winter Atlantic swells can close the pools for days
- Wind noise on cliff-facing rooms
How to filter: Check the forecast — if a north-swell warning is up, swap to Calheta for that night.
Santana
Top complaint Fog rolls in most afternoons
- Cool nights year-round; some rural houses have weak heating
- Restaurants close by 21:00
- Winding roads make late arrivals stressful
How to filter: Ask if heating is central or portable — matters November–March.
Câmara de Lobos
Top complaint Fishermen start work at 04:00 — harbour noise
- Steep, narrow streets and no lifts in older buildings
- Traffic into Funchal at rush hour (~30–40 min)
- Limited high-end dining — mostly local tascas
How to filter: Choose a room on the upper side of the town, away from the harbour, for quieter nights.
Machico
Top complaint Under the FNC flight path — early-morning departures
- Small dining scene compared with Funchal
- Beach is imported sand — can feel gritty
- Fewer 4–5★ hotels; mostly 3★ and apartments
How to filter: Ask for a room facing the bay, not the airport hill.
Calheta
Top complaint 35–45 min to Funchal — daily driving adds up
- Marina area quiet after 22:00
- Some hillside villas have long, single-lane access roads
- Beach is imported Moroccan sand — smaller than photos suggest
How to filter: Only book here if you have a car and want a beach base.
Common questions
- Should I stay in Funchal or split my trip?
- Most visitors base in Funchal and day-trip. If you're here for a week, splitting 4 nights in Funchal and 3 on the north coast (Santana or Porto Moniz) gives you two worlds — city dining and mountain trails — without daily driving.
- What is a quinta?
- A quinta is a traditional Madeiran estate house, often set in gardens or vineyards, converted into a small hotel or guesthouse. They range from rustic family-run properties to luxury boutique stays with pools and Atlantic views.
- Is Madeira expensive for accommodation?
- Mid-range hotels in Funchal run €80–150/night in shoulder season, €150–250 in peak summer. Quintas and rural guesthouses are often €60–120. The ultra-luxury end — Reid's Palace, Savoy — is €300+. Book early for the Flower Festival (May) and New Year.
- Do I need a car if I stay outside Funchal?
- Yes, unless you're on an organised tour. Buses serve the main towns but trailheads, remote viewpoints and many restaurants are car-dependent. Rental is cheap and roads are good.