Calheta is loved for its spas, and entices visitors with its popular attractions, including Casa das Mudas Arts Center and 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco.
Ready for an education in local botany? Madeira Botanical Garden should make your list of places to visit, located 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from central Santa Maria Maior. Want to stretch your legs a little more? Head to Pregetter's Orchid Garden, just a short walk away.
If you like haggling for the best price, you might want to head out to Funchal Farmers Market in Old Town Funchal and take in the atmosphere. There are also lots of shops and restaurants in the area if you fancy a wander. Splash some more cash at Avenida do Mar, La Vie Shopping Center and Arcadas Sao Francisco Shopping Center.
If you're planning a bit of sightseeing during your trip, head to Town Square – just one of the monuments in central Sé. You could also start your cultural experience by heading over to the museums in the area. It's also full of great shops and restaurants, so you can spend the afternoon having a wander.
Imagine strolling along Funchal Marina for some great waterfront pics when in the heart of Sé.
It's also full of great shops and restaurants, so you can spend the afternoon having a wander. If you carry on walking you'll get to Sao Tiago Beach and Complexo Balnear Barreirinha for some more water views.
The centre of Sé is home to cultural attractions such as CR7 Museum, so you might want to stop by during your stay. Hotels.com travellers also say the area is great for couples and that it has lots of nice beaches. It's also full of great shops and restaurants, so you can spend the afternoon having a wander. If you want to experience more of the culture Sé has to offer, head to Madeira Casino, Funchal Marina, and Funchal Municipal Garden.
Check out the Madeira Region hotels guests love right now
Enotel Lido – All Inclusive
10/10 Excellent
"The food at this hotel makes up for all the shortcomings! Obsessed with buffet food and Italian restaurant was great too. The only downsides of this hotel are the only two small elevators for the whole hotel and lack of entertainment. Other than that spa is good, massage is amazing. The covered pool is everything. Overall recommend this hotel "
"Clean and comfortable room and friendly staff.
However the pool was closed on the day of our arrival as a pigeon had drowned in it.
Was told it would b shut for two days but it opened the following day but we were not told until 6pm.
The hot buffet breakfast items in particular scrambled eggs, mushrooms, bacon and beans were lukewarm warm at best irrespective of the time breakfast was taken.
Our room 107 was over a side street above a cafe.
Lovely room, very clean and comfortable with a great shower bathroom etc.
However the adjacent cafe was very noisy, not their customers but the staff shutting up around midnight and then opening at 0500, dragging tables and chairs about made it impossible to sleep with the windows open.
Such a shame as it’s a lovely hotel in a prime location, I can get over the adjacent cafe as it’s the price of a city centre location and the hotel can’t be blamed for the pidgins inability to swim. So it’s just the cold (hot) breakfast that I’m really unhappy about, it put me off trying the hotel’s restaurant. No bad thing as it’s surrounded by so many places to eat at.
A good stay that with a bit more attention would have been excellent."
"All inclusive. What else can be said?! Great location. Outside of the city but that’s exactly what we wanted. A couple great hikes in the surrounding areas. Just a very pleasant and perfect situation!"
Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
10/10 Excellent
"We had a great experience at the Savoy, its beautiful and staff was very friendly and helpful. Most importantly, its location is perfect, easy to explore surrounding attractions.
Breakfast was excellent, with great variety.
Staff were super good.
Will definitely recommend it highly."
"I can’t rave enough about this hotel!! Parking included, fantastic and knowledgeable staff, unbelievable brunch/breakfast and the room was just outstanding. Reception was so patient with all my questions. Female staff really spent time with me and gave me the best advice. I really wish I remembered her name but she is exceptionally good at her role. I do wish there was a bottle opener in the room instead of having to get it from the front desk but that’s a small suggestion. "
"This very dated hotel is central so that makes it quite good. The rooms are fine and there are things to do.
The food is average and flavourless. The staff seem always unhappy and overall I would say it is fine because of location but quite expensive given how dated and how I felt the service was.
They had said I would stay in my room for 2 nights given a tour group I was joining night 2 - yet they yelled at me at the front desk and make me move in a rushed format when I went to confirm.
I would not stay here again."