Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

Parrot Park & Depending on the age of your
children, you can either let them
enjoy the playful antics of parrots
and parakeets, or engage them in
a discussion about the ethics of
keeping wild creatures in cages for
human amusement. While you’re
here, you can also explore the
Botanical Garden (see pp20–21).
* Monte Cable Car
The Monte cable car (see
p27) is as good as a theme-park
ride as you fly high over the João
Gomes Valley. Once in Monte,
you can explore the Palace Tropical
Garden (see pp28–9), where
children under 14 get in free.
( Shopping
If your children are mad
about shopping, head for
Madeira Shopping (see p69),
with its branded fashion outlets,
fast food cafés, seven-screen
cinema and bowling alley. d Cinemas
Castello Lopes: 291 706 760
) Swimming
Trout farm, Ribeiro Frio
Toddlers have a pool just
made for them at Ponta Gorda in
the Hotel Zone, just west of the
Club Navale. For older children and
confident swimmers, the Lido
complex, in the Hotel Zone, has
a big pool, sunbathing decks and
access to the ocean. d Map Q1
Top 10 Tips for
Families
! Hotels
Stay in a five-star hotel for
the extra facilities, such as
pools, tennis, games rooms,
mini-golf and satellite TV.
@ Indulgence
Madeirans love children,
so yours will get plenty of
friendly attention.
# Downtown
You can safely let older
children wander on their own;
crime is almost non-existent.
$ Downtown Cinemas
The Anadia Shopping
Centre opposite Funchal’s
main market (see pp18–19)
has a two-screen cinema. d
Map P4 • 291 207 040
% ”Beatles” Boat
Moored in concrete on
Avenida do Mar is a boat
owned by the Beatles in 1966,
a cool place for an ice cream.
^ Playgrounds
The best playgrounds in
Funchal are in the grounds of
Quinta Magnólia and Jardim
de Santa Catarina (see p44).
Funchal Marina & Stroll around the marina to
spot fish, boats and pictures
painted on the concrete walls
by visiting sailors. d Map Q3
* Promenade
Families stroll along Avenida
do Mar and buy snacks
from Turkish-style kiosks.
( Porto Moniz
Known as “nature’s pools”,
the rock pools at Port Moniz
are great for bathing in warm,
shallow water. d Map B1
) Porto Santo
Virtually traffic free, Porto
Santo is a place to let your
children off the leash to
explore by bike or on foot.
Madeira’s Top 10 53