Your Funchal holiday from superdestinations.co.uk includes everything for a seamless escape. Return economy flights from major UK airports, 7 nights at Belmond Reids Palace Madeira, private airport transfers and full ATOL & IATA financial protection are all included in the advertised price.
Prices are per person based on two adults sharing. Contact our specialists for a personalised quote.
Why You'll Love It
UNESCO Laurisilva Forest
Madeira’s extraordinary Laurisilva, UNESCO World Heritage listed in 1999, is one of the world’s most precious and scientifically significant natural environments: the largest surviving fragment of the ancient subtropical laurel forest that once blanketed much of southern Europe before the Ice Ages. This ancient forest, covering 22 per cent of the island, is alive with endemic birds, rare plants, and an atmosphere of extraordinary primeval beauty accessible via the island’s remarkable levada walking network.
Extraordinary Scenic Landscape
Madeira’s landscape is among the most dramatically varied of any island in the Atlantic: from the world-class sea cliffs of Cabo Girão, the wild volcanic north coast with its waterfalls and natural rock pools, the mountain plateau of Paul da Serra with its rolling cloud vistas, and the extraordinary volcanic peninsula walking trail at Ponta de São Lourenço, every drive and walk reveals new and astonishing scenery within a very small geographical area.
Legendary Reid’s Palace
Belmond Reid’s Palace has been welcoming the world’s most discerning travellers since 1891, its clifftop Victorian setting above the Atlantic providing one of the most magnificent hotel views in the world. The famous afternoon tea service on the ocean terrace, the extraordinary clifftop seawater pools, and the hotel’s four outstanding restaurants together create an experience of civilised luxury that has defined the Madeira holiday for over 130 years.
Madeira Wine & Gastronomy
Madeira wine is one of the world’s most extraordinary fortified wines, produced in a unique process of deliberate oxidation through heat that creates extraordinary complexity and almost unmatched longevity – historic bottles from the nineteenth century are still drinkable. The island’s gastronomy extends to rich espada fish with banana, hearty açorda bread soup, and an extraordinary variety of tropical fruits grown in Madeira’s warm, fertile volcanic soil.
Day by Day
Arrive at Funchal Airport and transfer to the legendary Pestana Carlton Madeira. Explore the hotel’s extraordinary clifftop grounds and take a first aperitif on the famous ocean terrace before a welcome dinner at one of the hotel’s outstanding restaurants.
After a leisurely Pestana Carlton Madeira breakfast, join a guided levada walk through the extraordinary UNESCO laurel forest: flat irrigation channel paths winding through ancient laurel trees in an atmosphere of primeval natural magic.
Drive west along the spectacular coastal road to Cabo Girão, one of the world’s highest sea cliffs at 580 metres, with a glass-floored viewing platform looking vertically down to the sea. Continue along the dramatic north-coast road through waterfall country.
Take the cable car to the beautiful mountain village of Monte, then experience the extraordinary Monte Toboggan Ride – wicker baskets descending two kilometres of cobbled streets guided by traditionally dressed drivers in a uniquely Madeiran tradition since 1850. Visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Drive north through mountain tunnels to the wild north coast: Santana’s extraordinary A-shaped thatched houses, the spectacular natural volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz carved by Atlantic waves, and dramatic waterfall scenery throughout.
Explore the beautiful eastern cape of Madeira: Ponta de São Lourenço’s extraordinary volcanic peninsula walking trail with panoramic Atlantic views on both sides, and the wine village of Câmara de Lobos where Churchill famously painted.
Visit the extraordinary Mercado dos Lavradores flower and fruit market in Funchal for the island’s remarkable tropical produce before a farewell lunch in the Old Town. Buy Madeira wine as the definitive souvenir before transfer to airport.
Where You'll Stay
5-star hotel
Ten minutes' walk from central Funchal and about 1km from the marina, Pestana Carlton Madeira opened in 1976 facing the Atlantic. Two saltwater pools sit above the ocean, a platform gives direct access to the sea, and the Magic Spa adds a heated indoor pool. Suits couples and families wanting town and sea together.
| ✈ Flights | Return flights from UK included |
| 🧳 Baggage | 23kg checked baggage |
| 🏛 Hotel | 7 nights accommodation |
| 🚌 Transfers | Private airport transfers |
| ✈ Airport Taxes | All airport taxes included |
| 💳 Deposit | 30% per person to secure booking |
Planning Madeira Holidays 2026 has never been more straightforward. Funchal offers stunning beaches, rich culture, and exceptional dining – all packaged with return UK flights, hotel accommodation, and private transfers. Whether you're looking for a 3-night city break or a full 7-night escape, our Funchal holiday packages are designed to deliver outstanding value with full ATOL & financial protection as standard. Funchal delivers a consistently rewarding experience that brings UK travellers back year after year – and it's easy to understand why.
Funchal offers a rich blend of history, architecture, and local culture that rewards every visitor. The city's historic centre, museums, and cultural landmarks provide fascinating context for the region's unique character and traditions.
Funchal's coastline and natural surroundings offer outstanding opportunities for swimming, water sports, and outdoor exploration.
The local cuisine of Funchal draws on centuries of culinary tradition, with fresh seafood, local produce, and regional specialities served in restaurants ranging from traditional family-run tavernas to celebrated fine-dining establishments.
Funchal represents outstanding value for UK holidaymakers, with excellent flight connections from major UK airports, a straightforward destination, and a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference.
Funchal's climate is unusually even. The IPMA observatory records average highs of about 20°C from December to March, 22°C in May and 26–27°C in August and September, so this is a year-round destination rather than a summer-only one.
Rain is the main variable. October to March is the wet half of the year, with roughly 100–135mm a month spread over nine to twelve rainy days, while July and August are close to dry. The sea runs from about 18°C in February and March to around 24°C from August to October. Funchal's shoreline is mostly rock and pebble, so most swimming is from lidos and hotel pools.
Some dates fill fast. The Flower Festival's main parades fall on 2 and 16 May 2027, and the Madeira Wine Festival runs from 22 August to 12 September. New Year's Eve is the busiest of all, with fireworks across the bay, so book December well ahead. For levada walking, April to June and September to October usually give the best mix of drier paths and mild temperatures.
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