An island of gardens, inland valleys and flowing levadas — irrigation channels, which double as hiking trails — Madeira draws legions of tourists, including many retirees from across Europe all year long. For decades, huge numbers of British tourists have visited Madeira, and one consequence of this tourism history is that Madeirans tend to speak English very well.

Funchal is the largest city on the island, as well as the regional capital. It’s so cute it hurts. The municipal gardens overflow with flora, and the streets are full of beautiful Portuguese tile work. The museums are great, too. The Old Town (Zona Velha) is beguiling and atmospheric. The modern bits of Funchal are also charming.

Many use Funchal as a jumping-off point for countryside walks or even the neighboring island of Porto Santo. Check out Outdoor Madeira, published by the Madeira Islands Rural Tourism Association, for more information on Madeira beyond Funchal. While you won’t come to Madeira for the beaches, you can find idyllic beaches on the nearby island of Porto Santo. Reach Porto Santo by ferry (€57.40 round trip April to September, €47 in low season; 2.5 hours’ duration) or plane (round-trip fares starting at €83; 15 minutes). For more information, check the official tourism resource for Porto Santo.

Related:
• A 10-Day budget itinerary through Portugal
• 10 Easy ways to save in Portugal
• Budget guide to Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Funchal, Madeira budget travel tips

Here are five easy ways to save on your trip to Funchal, Madeira:

1. Take the cable car… one way.

By all means, take the Madeira cable car (Teleférico do Funchal) up the mountain to the Botanical Garden. The views are amazing and there are some lovely gardens to check out.

But instead of coughing up €15 for a round-trip fare, pay €10 for a one-way journey up the mountain and walk back to town. The hills are very steep, and you’ll need to wind your way down carefully. (If you’re quite fit, walk uphill and take the cable car down the mountain.) Whether you walk or ride, the views are amazing.

2. Explore Funchal’s affordable museums

Take advantage of Funchal’s very inexpensive museums. The Casa-Museu Frederico de Freitas (€3) has a remarkable tile collection. The over-the-top Universo de Memórias João Carlos Abreu (€3.50) houses its namesake’s personal collections. The worldly Abreu, Madeira’s former Minister of Tourism, has a quirky aesthetic vision, and this museum makes for a very entertaining exploration. There is also café on the premises.

3. Eat well for cheap

It is easy to eat well in Funchal without breaking the bank. One good local restaurant among many is Taberna Madeira (Travessa de João Caetano 16). Sandwiches start at €2.50 and the local soup of the day is €3. Order the roasted lamb for two for only €20.

For snacks and fresh produce, try the Mercado Dos Lavradores, a vibrant farmer’s market.

4. Shop for local gifts (while you sip glass of wine)

Stop by Made in Madeira (Rua Serpa Pinto 27) for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine — and a spot of shopping. This lovely little shop-cum-café sells reasonably priced local handicrafts and delicacies as well as clothing. It focuses on local production in an attractive and compelling manner.

A budget stay at Hotel do Carmo includes a beautiful rooftop pool!

5. Stay at Hotel do Carmo

Madeira resident Kash Bhattacharya recommended this lovely budget-friendly charmer, located in the middle of Funchal. The style of the gorgeous lobby is late 1960s Portuguese modernism, with sharp lines and a well-lighted bar at night. It looks like the set of a period spy caper.

Rooms are very simple no-frills affairs and rates start at €54 per night for a double room. The best perk of staying at Hotel do Carmo? There is a rooftop swimming pool, too! Find out more about Hotel do Carmo.

More hotel options: Search over 500 hotels in Funchal and over 1,200 properties across the Madeira islands.

Your Funchal tips

Do you have suggestions for ways to save when visiting Funchal or Madeira, in general? Share your tips in the comments section below.

The post Funchal, Madeira: 5 Budget tips for an island getaway in Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: Search for hotel rooms across Portugal

Add to that a mild, sunny climate and events to interest any type of traveler year-round (everything from traditional medieval fairs to massive music festivals), and you’ve got a can’t-miss destination in Europe that won’t break the bank.

Need a little more convincing before you book your flights? Read on!

Our top 10 reasons to visit Portugal in 2017

1. Strong dollar to euro exchange

Portugal’s been a dream destination for budget travelers forever. Even when the euro traded higher, prices were cheaper here than almost any other destinations in Western Europe.

Now, in 2017, it costs $1.06 to buy €1 (at the time of writing), which means you can easily estimate Portugal’s already very reasonable prices for hotel rooms, food, and activities at almost a 1 to 1 ratio.

Related: 10-day budget-friendly itinerary starting in Lisbon and ending in Porto

2. Cheap flights from the US

At the time of writing, there are round-trip flights from JFK to Porto on offer for $600 or less (sometimes less than $400) from late January through September. Check TAP Portgual, Iberia Airlines and Royal Air Maroc. Flying into Lisbon is a little pricier, but if you choose your dates wisely, it’s still easy to get there and home again for under $700.

Fly TAP Portugal from the US for low fares, especially in the offseason. Photo: Oliver H.

Cheap flights between Porto and Lisbon: Whichever city you fly into, budget carrier Ryanair has made it cheaper to travel between the country’s two largest airports with flights starting at an astonishing €20.

It should also be noted that if you want to add Portugal to your trip, round-trip flights on European budget airlines like easyJet and Vueling from cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam and Munich can be had for €100 or less when booked far enough in advance.

For the best possible deal on airfare, be flexible with times and dates, willing to make at least one connection in Europe and book as soon as you can. Use our Cheapo Flight Search to find the latest prices.

3. World-renowned musicians and music festivals

Beyond Fado, the traditional music Portugal is known for worldwide, destinations throughout the country will feature big names in music at concert halls and major festivals in 2017.

Lisbon will host Bruno Mars on April 4, Simple Minds on May 3, and Aerosmith on June 26. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the Super Bock Super Rock Festival in Parque das Nações. The Foo Fighters and Depeche Mode will play at the Nos Alive Festival (July 6-8) in the community of Algés. If urban and electronic music is your tune, there is also the Sumol Summer Fest.

4. Carnival in Madeira

The city of Funchal in Portugal’s Madeira region has one of the liveliest carnival celebrations in Europe — Carnaval da Madeira. There are two main parades visitors should try to catch: The more formal parade on the Saturday of Carnival Weekend (February 25) featuring samba musicians and dancers in costumes like those in Rio de Janeiro and the free-for-all Fat Tuesday Parade (February 28) wherein locals and visitors alike can dance and parade through the city center in wild and daring costumes.

Search for hotels in Funchal

A souk vendor at the Islamic Festival in Mértola. Photo: Jose C.

5. The Islamic Festival in Mértola

Mértola, Portugal (near Faro) was the capital of Taifa, as an independent Muslim-ruled principality, and an important port between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa between the 8th and 13th centuries.

In 2017 (and odd-numbered years), the destination celebrates its heritage during the Islamic Festival of Mértola. Featuring traditional dancers and musicians, a souk full of artisans, and chefs preparing traditional North African dishes such as couscous and mint tea, the festival takes place from May 21 to 24.

Search for hotels in Mértola

6. Marathons and races

If fitness is part of your New Year’s resolution, why not organize your trip to Europe around a marathon? Runners can choose between panoramic views of the country’s capital in Lisbon’s Half Marathon (March 19) or a scenic run through the country’s best-known wine region in the Douro Valley Half Marathon.

To keep the cost of running in the races in check, register as soon as possible, as the Lisbon Half-Marathon is €38 plus tax through January 31, and the Douro Valley Half Marathon is €16 through March 31 (after the cut-off, prices go up).

If you love races, but you’d rather watch (it is a vacation, after all), Portugal’s hosting the Algarve Grandfondo (February 15-19) cycling competition, as well as the Ironman 70.3 competition in the beautiful coastal community of Cascais (September 3).

Visitors arriving at the Shrine of Fatima. Photo: Noel P

7.  100th anniversary pilgrimage to Fatima

2017 marks one hundred years since the Virgin Mary revealed herself to three children in Fatima during a dark time in European and Portuguese history (World War I), converting the tiny town into a pilgrimage site for Catholics. Today, it is one of the largest shrines dedicated to Mary in the world.

It’s a great year to visit, particularly between May 12 and October 13 when special cultural events including concerts and exhibitions will take place in honor of the 100th-anniversary celebration. From April on, visitors can also take part in a nightly candlelight procession at 10 pm. Book your hotel in Fatima early to experience this special celebration.

8. Medieval fairs

There’s nothing quite like a medieval fair in a destination that actually survived the highs and lows of the medieval era. In such towns in Portugal, saints’ days and holidays throughout the year are excuse enough for many locals to dress up in traditional costumes and have a go at working and partying the “old-fashioned” way.

The walled city of Viana do Castelo makes a great setting for locals dressed for the part selling artisan wares and performing medieval music in mid-June.

From August 2 to 13, Santa Maria da Feira returns to its medieval roots as the historic city center transforms into a big medieval fair with knights jousting in tournaments, artisans, blacksmiths, bakers, mule-drivers, tavern keepers, acrobats, jugglers, and fire-eaters.

In Vila Baleira, a medieval festival in September (14-16) is dedicated to medieval maritime culture and Columbus’ time on the island.

Other towns with notable medieval fairs include Castro Marim and Silva.

9. Film festivals

Whether you’re into sci-fi or indie documentaries, if cinema’s your thing, Portugal has plenty on offer in 2017.

February 22 to March 6, 2017, there’s Fantasporto, Oporto’s International Film Festival dedicated to fantasy and science fiction cinema, considered one of the best in the world.

In April (17-23), indie fans can head to Madeira Film Festival for a healthy dose of independent shorts, features, and documentaries, with a focus on nature-oriented films.

Lisbon’s Indie Film Festival from May 3 to 14 makes the perfect excuse for a late spring trip to the Portuguese capital.

The Óbidos International Chocolate Festival. Photo: Ivo A.

10. Óbidos International Chocolate Festival

Indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to Portugal’s best-known chocolate festival from March 10 to April 2, 2017. Wander the narrow streets of Óbidos, a medieval town in Central Portugal, and taste an array of chocolate and chocolate-themed sweets and cakes. Book your accommodations in Óbidos as early as possible if you want to attend.

There are also chocolate and baked good competitions, cooking classes, chocolate sculptures and even a kid’s chocolate house for young visitors. Check out the official website or Facebook page for more information.

The post 10 Reasons to visit Portugal in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

To help independent travelers think about how to launch themselves to the sun from London, we’ve reviewed the least expensive return airfares from the capital of the UK, along with recommendations for independent, non-chain hotels in five dependably sunny places: Gran Canaria, Sharm el-Sheikh, Larnaca, Antalya, and Madeira.

Prices are a lot cheaper than you probably think for three-star hotels. Most of these sleeps offer plenty of amenities and cost no more than €60 per night.

Gran Canaria, Spain

One of Spain’s very popular Canary Islands – and the second most populous of the archipelago’s seven main islands – Gran Canaria can typically be relied upon as a sunny destination all year long.

Flights
easyJet, Norwegian, Thomas Cook, Thomson Airways, Iberia Express, and Ryanair fly to Gran Canaria’s Las Palmas Airport from various London hubs. The cheapest return fare we found in early June runs £119.98 ($186) on easyJet via Gatwick. (check flights)

Flying time: 4 hours 15 minutes.

Hotel
Tusity Bed&Chic (General Vives 76, Las Palmas) offers double rooms for around €60 per night. Rooms are modern and cheerful and beautifully maintained. (see all hotel options)

Tip
Head inland. Gran Canaria might be a beach destination, but its mountains are full of great, well-signposted hiking trails. Check out Rambling Roger’s site and apps for more information.

Sunny skies and blue waters await at Larnaca, one of the most popular spots in Cyprus. Photo: Peter Fristedt

Larnaca, Cyprus

Larnaca is one of Cyprus’ two major gateways. Long popular among British tourists, it has become a major hub for tourists from across Europe.

Flights
Aegean and British Airways, easyJet, Monarch, Norwegian, Thomas Cook, and Thomson Airways fly from London airports into Larnaca Airport. The cheapest return flight we found for travel in early June: £151.98 ($235) on Thomson in and out of Gatwick, with a rather inconvenient return in the middle of the night. (check flights)

Flying time: 4 hours 30 minutes.

Hotel
Kalimera B&B, located in the village of Agia Anna, is a well-loved guesthouse with rates beginning around €60 per night. A rental car is highly recommended for guests. (see all hotel options)

Tip
Take a break from the beaches in Nicosia, the world’s last remaining divided capital.

Take a vacation along the sunny Turkish coast in Antalya. Photo: Stephen Downes

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya, located along the Mediterranean coastline of southern Turkey, is a massive tourism center as well as a major city in its own right – Turkey’s eighth largest.

Flights
easyJet, Monarch, Pegasus, Thomas Cook, and Thomson Airways fly from various London airports to Antalya Airport. The least expensive return flight we found in early June was on Thomas Cook from Gatwick, at £138.98 ($215). Like the cheapest round-trip to Larnaca, however, this flight features a middle-of-the-night return journey. (check flights)

Flying time: 4 hours 20 minutes.

Hotel
The 16-room Hotel Twenty (Tuzcular Mh., Imaret Sk) is located in the center of Kaleiçi, the old town of Antalya. Double rooms are priced very affordably at around €30 per night. (see all hotels options)

Tip
Walk through Hadrian’s Gate, one of Kaleiçi’s star attractions.

The stunning island of Madeira makes the perfect getaway destination. Photo: lietz.photography

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira, a Portuguese island located north of the Canary Islands, is loved for its verdant gardens and hilly terrain.

Flights
British Airways, easyJet, Monarch, Norwegian, and Thomson Airways fly from London airports into Madeira-Funchal. The least expensive flight we found in early June was on Monarch in and out of Gatwick, for £151.98 ($235). (check flights)

Flying time: 3 hours 45 minutes.

Hotel
Pensao Astoria (Rua João Gago 10, Funchal) offers double rooms from €38 close to the city center. (see all hotels in Funchal)

Tip
Try a glass of sercial, the driest of the Madeira wines. Tastings can be organized at Blandy’s Wine Lodge, at Avenida Arriaga 28 in Funchal.

The waters are bluer than blue in Sharm el Sheikh. Photo: Mr. Theklan

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, attracts tourists from across Europe and beyond all year long.

Flights
easyJet, Monarch, Thomas Cook, and Thomson fly from various London airports. The cheapest return airfare we found for travel in early June runs for £280.98 ($435) on Monarch into and out of Gatwick. (check flights)

Flying time: 5 hours 30 minutes.

Hotel
Sunshine Divers Club is a popular diving hotel located in Sharks Bay, an independent hotel in a field of chain outfits. A double room for a single week goes for around €275 (about €40 per night) in June, including breakfast. Check out more hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Tip
Escape the hubbub of the resort town on a desert stargazing tour.

The post 5 affordable and reliably sunny breaks from London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.