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Funchal

One in three of the islands inhabitants live in the capital Funchal. Much of Madeira's charm lies in the fact that it looks tropical and feels European. Funchal both looks and feels very European, with actual traffic jams, tall buildings and no parking space.

Driving in Funchal is not for the faint of heart as the streets are narrow, the hills are steep and everyone seems to be in a hurry. If you're going to drive be sure to get a good car with even better insurance!

Stuff you really have to do in Funchal: Have a ride in a balloon. Right smack in the middle of Funchal you can go on a balloonride, up 150 meters to see the surrounding countryside. Lovely and quite exciting.

Food
Some of the islands' best restaurants are in Funchal. If you want to splash out on something lavish, why not go all the way to Reid's Palace? Sprawled over a hilltop with spectacular views of the ocean and the city, Reid's has been a symbol of elegance for over a hundred years, a bit like The Raffle's Hotel in Singapore or The Savoy in London. Food here does not come cheap, but it sure looks nice!