Christmas and New Year's Eve in Madeira

Some are born to like Xmas, some achieve a liking for Xmas, and some have Xmas thrust upon 'em!

Even if, like me, you fall into the last category, you will be pleasantly surprised by this season in Madeira as there seems to be little of the 'commercial-mas' aspect which many find offensive.

There are pageants and services for the more religious but for those who just like the whole Christmas thing, the lights, the celebrations and the atmosphere are pleasantly excessive without being clichéd.

Madeira, particularly Funchal is known for it's Christmas lights and this year they have excelled. Switched on progressively from late November, at the time of writing this they are all on and blaze a path all the way from the Lido to the old town (where you will find the best of them) and many other streets too.

Pre-Xmas celebrations peak with the 'Market Night' street parties around Funchal's famous Mercado dos Lavradores, culminating in Midnight Mass on the 24th.

But that is not the end of it, oh no! After a short respite, the parties continue until the fantastic fireworks of New Year's Eve. It's impossible to find superlatives sufficient to describe this pyrotechnic phenomenon, suffice to say that it currently holds the Guinness Book Of Records entry for the biggest, most lavish firework fantasia anywhere in the world!

Resources:
There is a list of hotels still with New Year's Eve availability here.
Or a private apartment in Canico.
And a good list of Christmas festivities and celebrations here.

When to visit Madeira

One of the most common (and most relevant) questions I'm asked is the best time to visit. With most other places that's an easy one but Madeira is unique; It's going to depend on what you want.
Madeira is undoubtedly a year-round destination, it has it's temperature variations, especially the higher one goes, but as a good example, I've just got back to a cold wet and windy UK after 2 weeks of undisturbed sun and daytime temps of around 27c - in late October!
To be objective, here are some tips:

Spring
If you like flowers, go and see the Flower Festival. It's associated with Easter so tends to move. Be aware that it does rain in Madeira and like the UK, April can be showery but usually a couple of days at the most.
The months of April and May are great for wild flowers and the Botanical Gardens are at their most colourful. Popular destinations can be busy, like the cobbled streets of Funchal but that can add to the atmosphere.

Summer
June is normally fine, not too hot if you have a heat sensitivity and still flowery.
The summer months, although not hot in comparison with some Mediterranean destinations can be a little sticky. But that's never a problem in Madeira; go to the unspoilt north coast or to the mountains, also a good trick if it clouds over!

Autumn and Winter
Perhaps my favourite time is during the autumn and winter months; generally good weather, perfect for walking, mild days and nights, and best of all, no cold feet. The one exception is tourist restaurants; better to avoid empty ones (especially those that specialise in fish) and go for the well-visited joints that the locals visit.


So when is the best time? All year round, depending on your preference.

For a list of Madeira's festivals and events, see here

Where to stay in Madeira - Hotels Quintas and Apartments

There's a great choice of accommodation in Madeira but for peace of mind, facilities and service the ones to go for are certainly the 4 or 5 star hotels and 'Quintas'. Rooms are generally listed with 'sea' or 'mountain' (inland) views, sometimes both. Mountain view rooms are generally a bit cheaper but some offer a great view; the climate is often visible with clouds and mist on the higher points making for a dramatic and interesting backdrop. So, if you spend a lot of time on the balcony it pays to find a room with a view you like, but if you only sleep at the hotel then save your money and go for a room without the premium of a stunning view.

Hotels
My personal favourites are the Tivoli Madeira and the Golden Residence; the rooms are excellent, breakfast is fine and the staff are just that bit happier than most. Both these hotels can provide a variety of rooms, views and facilities.

Quintas
These are Madeiran Manor Houses. They are generally smaller than hotels, offering a more personal touch. I like the Quinta Perestrello for its central location between Old Funchal and the vibrant Lido. Views are mainly 'mountain' across Funchal to Canico and the food is excellent.

Update:
Had a perfect 2 weeks in a spacious apartment in the very laid-back Madeiran town of Caniço, between the airport and Funchal. You will need a hire car to get the best of it here as the hills are steep, but within a short drive are the famous Village Pub (thankfully not an English pub) with a fine selection of international intoxicants and a fantastic fish restaurant at Reis Magos; the house wine is excellent. In fact I was so impressed with the accommodation that I had another 2 weeks there the following year and intend to stay again!
Details on the Canico Apartment here.

Resources:
Madeira Hotel Guide
Madeira Island Hotel Directory