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45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

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Here are 45 of my favourite things to do in Funchal, Madeira, as well as a few things to do in Madeira more widely. I’m a bit of a Madeira geek (or expert!) and have visited many times over the years. This means I can give plenty of tips on how best to spend your time in this beautiful island city.

I’ve tried to avoid anything too obvious that you’ll see in every guidebook, like the Monte toboggans. And I’ve only focused on the city of Funchal itself and day trips you can easily do from it (without a car) rather than looking at the entire island of Madeira… Otherwise, this will turn into 45 million things to do and no one will have the patience to read it. 

Please note: I update this guide on my regular trips to Madeira, adding new finds and removing outdated stuff as frequently as I can. But if you spot anything listed that may no longer be open/doable/good, please comment to let me know. Feel free to leave your own recommendations too!

Anyway, read on if you want some tips from a self-confessed Funchal/Madeira addict…

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A quick guide to beautiful Porto da Cruz, Madeira

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How to do a day trip to Porto da Cruz, Madeira | PACK THE SUITCASES

The little seaside village of Porto Da Cruz, Madeira, is one of my favourite villages to visit when on the island. It’s on the north-eastern coast, tucked in a cove where rugged cliffs meet the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery is so dramatic, with lush green hillsides as a backdrop to quaint winding streets and cosy cafés. There’s a small black-sand beach where the local surf school is located, making it a perfect spot for people-watching as there’s always someone trying to learn to surf (featuring lots of falling off!). And although Porto da Cruz is slightly off the proverbial beaten path, it still has enough going on to keep you entertained for an afternoon.

After first visiting many years ago on a day trip from Funchal, I quickly fell in love with Porto da Cruz and often picture myself sitting there watching the waves crashing when I’m stuck in work. I thought I’d put together this little guide on how to visit it by bus, what restaurants to visit while there, and things to do and see. Pour yourself a drink and get reading…

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Where to eat in Tavira, Algarve: the best restaurants, cafés and more

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If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Tavira and where to eat in around the town more generally, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sampled so many of Tavira’s eateries recently that I feel a) chunky and b) ready to recommend my favourites. 

I love Tavira and I love eating so this is my guide to combining the two. I’ve listed some of the best restaurants in Tavira, because that’s probably what most people will be looking for in their holiday research, but I’ve also covered some of the best cafés/snack bars/bakeries/food stalls too. I should also add that finding any veggie or vegan-friendly restaurants here (or indeed in any Portuguese town) generally requires some effort. Like most of Portugal, the Algarve is both fish- and meat-heavy. But there are restaurants that do cater to vegetarians and vegans really well. As I eat a mostly plant-based diet, I’ve made sure to include them here.

Anyway, dig out all your clothes with elasticated waistbands. Let’s get onto some of the best cafés, bakeries and restaurants in Tavira…

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25 fabulous things to do in Faro, Portugal: the Algarve’s capital

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Here are some of my favourite things to do in Faro, Portugal, the capital of the Algarve. It’s somewhere I’ve got to know quite well recently as I spent a month living in the Algarve. So now I can give you plenty of tips on how best to spend your time in this underrated and colourful city.

Most visitors to the Algarve will fly into Faro but bypass the city itself, heading to other places. They’re missing out. As lovely as other towns in the area are, Faro definitely has its own charms and shouldn’t be missed. It’s a decent-sized city, packed with brilliant spots to eat, including lots of vegan restaurants and cafés. It has a pretty old town full of cobbled streets and fragrant orange trees. It’s got chic tiled boulevards lined with nice independent shops. And most importantly, Faro is on a coastal train line, which makes it an ideal base for exploring the rest of the Algarve, especially the beautiful Ria Formosa lagoon and nature reserve.

If this all sounds up your street, have a read of these things to do in Faro, Portugal, that I personally recommend…

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23 of the best towns and cities to visit in Portugal

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Here are some of the best cities to visit in Portugal (and some towns too), from the big hitters to the relatively unknown. Having spent 3 months travelling around the country recently, I wanted to share my love for some of the many gems I’ve discovered. Portugal will always be one of my favourite European countries. It has excellent food and drink, varied landscapes from dramatic mountains to breathtaking coastlines, and some of the friendliest locals you could wish for. It’s also much more affordable to visit than some European cities, which is a bonus.

In order to make this a more comprehensive guide to Portuguese towns and cities, I wanted to include places I’ve not yet been to or that I’ve been to too briefly to be knowledgeable about. So to help me out, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their recommendations for their favourite towns and cities in Portugal. A big ‘thank you’ to these other bloggers because I now have this absolutely huge guide! Of course, I now need to go back to Portugal and visit all the towns/cities I’ve not yet done…

Anyway, whether you’re on the hunt for a bustling city break or a seaside town escape, I reckon you’ll find a town or city in Portugal that takes your fancy out of these. Let’s get planning…

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17 lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal: a seaside town fit for royalty

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Things to do in Cascais, Portugal | PACKTHESUITCASES

Here are a few lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal, a charming seaside town with a beautiful lighthouse, arty/cultural vibes, flower-lined streets and loads of seafood restaurants. Cascais is one of the most popular day trips from the capital, as it’s only about 40 minutes on the train from Lisbon. But it’s a world away from the busy, bustling city. Cascais is all about a slower pace of life, where you can stroll along the beach and stop for a drink and a people-watch on a quiet tiled street.

The royal family made Cascais their official summer residence in the 1870s, so all the wealthy people soon wanted to flock to this seaside paradise too. It’s retained its affluent nature to this day, being part of what tourist boards call the ‘Portuguese Riviera’. But it’s so much less touristy and in-your-face than the French and Italian versions, which is why I love it. Not to mention that it’s home to one of the prettiest views in the whole of Portugal: a little cove where you can look out to a charming blue stripy lighthouse, turquoise sea and palm trees. 

If this all sounds up your (tiled) street, have a read of my favourite things to do in Cascais…

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