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For shopping, visit the Workers' Market (Mercado dos Lavradores), an open market that is alive with activity, noise, color and the hustle and bustle of the locals. Here you can buy any Madeira's specialties such as fresh fish, vegetables, spices, exotic flowers and local handicrafts. The building is in the late 1930s art deco style and designed by Portuguese architect Edmundo Tavares. Local handicrafts in the region include hand made embroidery and lace items, ceramics, tiles, and wicker objects. Locally made honey is a perfect souvenir.

If you want to find tiny shops with little treasures to give as gifts or for yourself, explore the backstreets of Funchal for its hidden stores, boutiques, and souvenir shops. Additionally, Funchal is chock full of very impressive, upscale shopping centres and malls throughout the city.

The food in Madeira (as in most of Portugal) is delicious and different to the rest of the Med. You can eat very well here without spending a fortune.

Cataplana is a traditional Portuguese dish made with various seafood named after the pan it is cooked in. Espada is a fish found only in the waters of Madeira and it is prepared in many different ways and can be served with banana, passion fruit and garlic. Seafood lovers will find so many menu options here including swordfish, bream, red mullet, and tuna also prepared in a variety of ways and very fresh.

Beef dishes here include espetada which is grilled on an open fire on skewers with sea salt and bay leaves, and prego no prato which is grilled beef with chips, rice and salad.

Vegetarians may find dining out a little more challenging here as most dishes are predominantly cooked with fish, beef, or chicken to some extent. But there is always plenty of rice dishes, potatoes, and salads on offer in restaurants.

One aspect of Madeiran life which should not be missed is the cafe culture as coffee shops are prevalent in Funchal and the region as the Portuguese love their coffee. Most common here is the espresso but besides a variety of coffee, coffee shops often also serve delicious pastry. The warm and sunny weather will make it enticing to sit outside at a table to relax and enjoy the coffee, city life, and the view.