Planning before & after your Madeira sailing course is part of a great sailing experience. A calm arrival sets the tone, and a few extra days ashore let everything sink in.
Madeira feels alive the moment you reach Funchal. You hear halyards tapping in the marina. Dark cliffs rise straight from the water, and the Atlantic stretches wide beyond the harbor.
We’ll cover where to stay near the marina, how to get around easily, and what to do before and after sailing.
Madeira offers the kind of sailing that teaches you fast without overwhelming you. Trade winds often sit between 10 and 20 knots, which keeps sails full and lessons consistent.
The scenery never fades into the background. Sheer basalt cliffs drop straight into deep water. Green slopes roll down from the mountains, and the coastline stays in sight for most passages.
Wildlife adds to the experience. Dolphins and whales are common sights offshore, thanks to deep water close to land.
Madeira blends practical sailing conditions with unforgettable scenery, which makes it an ideal place to learn.
You’ll meet your crew in Funchal, right by the marina, where the sound of halyards and the smell of espresso drift through the harbor.
The same spot welcomes you back after the course, which keeps travel simple and familiar.
You’ll fly into Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (FNC), the island’s main airport. It sits about 13 miles east of Funchal, with a direct coastal drive into the city.
Most travelers connect through Lisbon or Porto, with frequent daily flights. In the high season, direct routes open from several major European cities.
The flight to Madeira is memorable, with the runway stretching out over the ocean.
Once you land, getting into Funchal is easy. There are three best ways to reach Funchal.
Insider tip: If you arrive with sailing gear or bulky bags, book a Bolt or taxi. You’ll appreciate the direct drop off at your accommodation.
Staying close to Marina do Funchal makes the arrival day easy. You can walk to the meeting point, grab breakfast nearby, and avoid morning logistics.
Here are reliable places within walking distance, from boutique comfort to budget-friendly stays.
Location: São Pedro District
Price: Around €165 per night
Distance: About a 5-minute walk to the marina
Hotel Caju feels quietly polished. The building blends old stone walls with clean modern interiors, which suits Funchal well.
Rooms are comfortable without feeling flashy, and the breakfast sets you up properly for a morning on the dock.
Staff are used to travelers coming and going and handle early checkouts with ease.
Location: Sé District near the Cathedral
Price: Around €170 per night
Distance: About a 9-minute walk to the marina
Sé Boutique Hotel puts you in the middle of Funchal’s historic core. Step outside and you’re among narrow streets, tiled facades, and church bells marking the hour.
The rooftop is the highlight. It’s a good place to watch the city soften at sunset before heading to bed early.
Location: São Pedro District
Price: Around €71 per night
Distance: About a 12-minute walk to the marina
29 Madeira Hostel suits independent travelers who like comfort without excess. It’s clean, well-run, and social without being loud.
Private rooms offer good value, and shared spaces make it easy to meet others passing through Funchal for short stays.
Location: Old Town
Price: Around €88 per night
Distance: About a ten to 16-minute walk to the marina
Santa Maria Hostel sits on one of Funchal’s most character-filled streets. Painted doors, small taverns, and local music fill the evenings.
Inside, the atmosphere stays relaxed, with outdoor seating and common areas that invite slow mornings.
Arriving a day or two early helps you settle into island life before stepping aboard. Keep things light. You want to enjoy Madeira without wearing yourself out.
Here are some activities you can enjoy before your sailing course.
Cost: Around €35
Whale watching is one of the best ways to meet the Atlantic before sailing it. Boats leave directly from Funchal Marina and head into deep water within minutes.
You’ll often see dolphins riding the bow wave. Pilot whales appear often, too. Choose a catamaran for comfort or a Zodiac for speed and spray.
Cost: Around €5
Right on the waterfront, the CR7 Museum celebrates Madeira’s most famous locale. Even non-football fans enjoy the quick visit. It’s an easy stop between coffee and a marina walk.
Cost: Free
Rua de Santa Maria feels alive from late morning onward. Artists have turned old doorways into an open-air gallery.
Restaurants and wine bars line the cobblestones, making it a good place for a relaxed dinner before an early night.
Cost: Free entry
Mercado dos Lavradores is colorful and full of local flavor. On the lower level, fishermen unload black scabbardfish from the night’s catch.
Upstairs, fruit stalls overflow with passion fruit varieties and tropical produce. Go early for the best atmosphere.
Once the course wraps up, your body is tired in specific places, and your mind is full of new information.
The best post-course plans support recovery while keeping you close to Funchal.
Cost: Varies by treatment
Line handling and winch work strain the shoulders, forearms, and lower back. A spa session helps release tight areas that build up over the week.
Thalasso Sea Spa at Vidamar Resort and Laurea Spa at Savoy Palace offer thermal pools, saunas, and steam rooms that help ease salt and sun exposure.
Cost: Drink prices vary
Funchal’s hills create ideal rooftop views. Galáxia Skybar at the Savoy Palace overlooks the harbor and city. The 360º Bar at The Vine Hotel offers a quieter atmosphere close to the marina.
For a more relaxed setting, the rooftop terrace at Sé Boutique Hotel looks over the Cathedral and the ocean. It’s an easy place to mark the end of the course without staying out late.
Cost: Varies by option
The cable car from the waterfront climbs above Funchal in about 15 to 20 minutes. From the top, you see how the city spreads from the harbor into the hills.
Monte feels cooler and quieter, with gardens and walking paths.
For the return, the traditional wicker toboggan ride follows steep roads back toward the city. It’s organized and rooted in local tradition.
Cost: Varies depending on the location and package inclusion
One popular option follows the Madeira Wines Route and costs around €175 per person.
It includes vineyard and cellar visits, a tasting of six wines, traditional tapas, and a typical Madeiran lunch with espetada.
For something shorter and more relaxed, head to Boaventura on the north coast.
Terrabona Nature & Vineyards offers an intimate tasting hosted by the owners, with prices starting at about €45 per person.
The winery sits in a quiet natural setting near the sea and focuses on small-scale production.
Both options offer a memorable way to experience Madeira beyond the marina.
A few local details can make your stay in Funchal easier, especially around sailing days. These tips focus on what visitors tend to ask once they arrive.
Portugal uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in Funchal, including restaurants and hotels.
Carry some cash for buses, small cafés, markets, and local poncha bars. Coins are useful for short taxi rides and tips.
Tipping isn’t expected but appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is common.
Madeira stays mild year-round, but conditions change quickly with elevation. It can feel warm and calm at the marina and cooler in the hills.
Pack light layers and a thin rain jacket, even in summer.
From a sailing perspective, October through May often brings more consistent trade winds. Summer months feel warmer, though winds can be lighter on some days.
Portugal is part of the EU, so EU visitors can use roaming plans without extra charges.
If you are visiting from the U.S. or the UK, local SIM cards from Vodafone or MEO are easy to buy at the airport. Plans usually cost around €20 to €25.
eSIM services also work well and activate quickly if your phone supports them.
Beachwear is fine near the water but not around town. Cover shoulders and torsos when visiting churches or wine lodges.
A simple greeting like “Olá” or “Bom dia” is polite when entering shops or elevators.
When walking on levadas or trails, stay to the side and do not block narrow paths. Locals use them daily.
If you finish sailing and have a late flight, luggage storage services near the marina can help. Storage apps often charge around €3.50 per bag for the day.
This lets you explore Funchal freely without hauling bags through town.
Madeira isn’t just a scenic place to sail. It works well as a focused training base. The conditions support learning, and the setting keeps everything practical and close together.
In Madeira, Sailing Virgins’ students usually complete two ASA certification levels in one week, depending on experience and preparation.
Most sailors follow one of these paths.
Once you complete ASA 104 or higher, you’re eligible to apply for the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC).
Many European charter companies require it, so this is an important milestone if you plan to sail abroad.
Madeira combines serious sailing time with a city that feels easy to settle into. Plan a little time before and after your course to make the most of the week.
What sets Madeira apart is the sailing itself. The island offers longer passages and more open water sailing than many typical training destinations.
Conditions feel more adventurous, which makes the learning sharper and more rewarding.
Arrive early to get familiar with Funchal and recover from travel. Stay a bit after the course to eat well and explore the island at an unhurried pace.
That time off the boat helps the experience settle.
Join our week-long Madeira sailing courses and earn globally recognized ASA certifications in one of the Atlantic’s top training grounds!