Madeira Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

From the airport, 18-20 km east of Funchal along the winding VR1, there is no train at all: the transfer takes 20-25 minutes by taxi (25-40 euros) or 25-35 minutes with the Aerobus SAM 113 (5 euros), which stops along the city's western coast. For this reason, the coastal strip running from the harbour to the Lido remains the most practical choice: almost all the large resorts with pools and sea access are concentrated here, useful because Funchal's coasts are cliffs and pebbles, not sand. Those who play golf and prefer the green hinterland can aim for the historic Palheiro estate, a few minutes from the centre; those wanting an isolated all-inclusive resort, with a private marina and wild nature, go as far as Caniçal, almost 30 km further east, towards the Ponta de São Lourenço.

Zona Hoteleira and Lido

Neighbourhood · The Aerobus SAM 113 stops along this coastal strip in 25-35 minutes from the airport (5 euros); a taxi or a private transfer covers the 18-20 km in 20-25 minutes (25-40 euros). There is no rail link anywhere on the island.

Best for: Those who want ocean-front pools, a spa and resort life within easy reach, with the harbour and the historic centre still only a few minutes away on foot or by bus.

Pros

Almost all of Funchal's large resorts face this stretch of coast, from the harbour and the Santa Catarina Park to the Estrada Monumental, often with seawater pools that compensate for the island's cliff and pebble beaches
The Pestana Casino Park and the Pestana CR7 are a few minutes on foot from the historic centre and the marina, handy for those who also want city life

Cons

The resorts farther west, such as the Pestana Royal in Praia Formosa, remain about ten minutes by car from the centre
Several reviews report dated rooms and furnishings in some of the Pestana group's historic hotels, despite the good location

Recommended hotels in this area

Pestana Carlton Madeira Ocean Resort Hotel: 290 rooms a few minutes on foot from the Casino and Santa Catarina Park: two outdoor pools, one with direct sea access, plus two heated indoor pools, a dive centre, Turkish bath and Scottish sauna.
Pestana Casino Park Hotel & Casino: A 1976 building designed by architect Viana de Lima (often attributed to Oscar Niemeyer, who collaborated on the initial design), next to the marina and the Casino da Madeira, 5 minutes on foot from the centre of Funchal; 379 rooms, heated indoor pool and Turkish bath.
Pestana CR7 Funchal: A 49-room boutique hotel born from the collaboration between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Pestana group, 300 metres from the marina and facing Funchal's harbour; rooftop infinity pool and free entry to the Museu CR7 next to the hotel.
Pestana Royal All Inclusive Ocean & Spa Resort: All-inclusive resort 2 minutes on foot from Praia Formosa beach and about 10 minutes by car from the centre of Funchal; two outdoor pools, indoor pool with spa, mini-golf and a tennis court.
Meliá Madeira Mare: In the heart of the Zona Hoteleira in Lido, with direct access to the seafront promenade and the pebble beach of Praia do Gorgulho; 10 minutes from the centre of Funchal and about 20 from the airport.

See more hotels in this area →

Palheiro Estate

Neighbourhood · About 6 km and 10-15 minutes by car or taxi from the centre of Funchal; from the airport you can only get there by car or taxi, as there are no direct bus links to the estate.

Best for: Those who play golf and prefer a secluded stay amid greenery, within a historic estate, rather than the coast's beach life.

Pros

18-hole golf course designed by Cabell Robinson, award-winning botanical gardens and a panoramic view of Funchal and the Atlantic from almost 500 metres of altitude
Enclosed, quiet estate, far from the traffic of the coast

Cons

No beach and no venue within walking distance: every trip requires a car or a taxi
Accommodation in an independent apartment within the estate, not in a hotel with its own reception or dining

Recommended hotels in this area

A Slice of Paradise - Palheiro Golf: Apartment with garden and mountain views within the historic Palheiro estate, next to the 18-hole course and the award-winning botanical gardens of the estate, almost 500 metres above Funchal.

See more hotels in this area →

Caniçal

Nearby town · About 12 km and 15-20 minutes by car from the airport, in the opposite direction from Funchal; from the centre of Funchal it's instead 29 km and about 26 minutes by taxi (35-45 euros), or 1 hour 20 with bus line 113 (2-3 euros).

Best for: Those seeking an isolated all-inclusive resort, with a private marina and quick access to the wild nature of the Ponta de São Lourenço, accepting staying far from Funchal.

Pros

Private marina one minute on foot from the resort and quick access to the Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve and the Museu da Baleia
Panoramic position on the Atlantic, on the wildest eastern tip of the island

Cons

The centre of Funchal and its nightlife are still half an hour away by taxi
Fishing-village area, without the shops and restaurants of Funchal's centre nearby

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Ziva Madeira: 366-room all-inclusive resort in Caniçal, on Madeira's eastern tip, with a private marina one minute on foot away and quick access to the Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve; renamed in 2024 from Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina to Hyatt Ziva Madeira with the arrival in Europe of Hyatt's all-inclusive collection.

See more hotels in this area →