If driving in Madeira does not appeal to you, a fun way to see the island is to use the local bus services. By doing so, you will imbibe the local atmosphere and enjoy the adventure and accomplishment of making your own way around. Once you have an idea of how the public transport system works, the buses are very accessible and generally on time. All the bus timetables are available online.
There are three main bus companies.
Horários do Funchal
These distinctive yellow buses service the Funchal area (and beauty spots of Monte, the Botanical Gardens, Palheiro Gardens, Pico de Barcelos), as well as providing bus services to Curral das Freiras, Camacha, Santo Da Serra, Ribeiro Frio, Santana.
Monte
Monte is a “must” if you are visiting Madeira. It has the Monte Palace tropical gardens as well as extensive municipal gardens and a beautiful church (Nossa Senhora do Monte). Monte has an air of old world, dilapidated charm, with large quintas (or manor houses) and carreiros, or sledge runners, dressed in straw boaters and white outfits (the sledge runners take tourists in wicker baskets down the steep, winding road to Funchal).<
Bus stop: Rua 32 Janeiro, s (9)
Horários no 20
Horários no 21
Bus Stop:Rua Artur Sousa Pinga (4)
Horários no 22
Alternatively, take the cable car take the cable car to Monte and enjoy the spectacular views as you go up.
Botanical Gardens
Bus stop: Cais (1A)
Horários no 31
Horários no 31A
Palheiro Gardens
These gorgeous gardens are one of my absolute favourite places in Madeira. The Palheiro gardens belonging to the Blandy family verge on the Palheiro Golf course. The gardens have a little chapel, beautiful flower beds filled with aromatic flowers such as jasmine and wisteria, extensive trees of camellia and ponds filled with water lilies. A must for the nature lover. You will often spot the Madeira Trocaz pidgeon with its distinctive red bill and toes. At a close view one can observe its stripped silvery patch on neck-side and its pinkish chest.
At the bottom of the gardens, there is a tea room, offering an assortment of cakes and light snacks, which also serves as the half way station for the golf course.
Bus stop: Cais(1A)
Horários no 36
Horários no 36A
Horários no 37
Curral Das Freiras and Eira do Serrado
Isolated from the rest of Madeira and surrounded by high mountains, Curral das Freiras is a tranquil, leafy village and an escape from the coastal areas and busyness of Funchal. One feels hidden from the world in this peaceful mountain retreat with its pure air and in fact, this village was a hideout for the nuns of the Santa Clara order in the fifteenth century who were fleeing from the Corsairs who had invaded the island. The buses stop at Eira do Serrado, where there is a viewpoint to Curral das Freiras below. If you are feeling energetic you might like to walk down the mountain path from Eira do Serrado to Curral. (about 45 minutes walk).
Bus Stop from Funchal: Teleférico Término (4A)
Horários no 81
Camacha
Camacha is famous for its wicker works and its folklore groups. It is also a good place to get on to the Levada da Serra do Faial, and walk along the levada either to Santo da Serra or to Choupana.
Bus Stop in Funchal: Teleférico/Término (4A).
Horários no 129
Santo Da Serra
A charming little village above the town of Santa da Cruz, it has a thriving Sunday market where the local farmers sell their produce. The Quinta da Junta, the former home of the Blandy family, is now a lovely park. It is frequented by picnickers in the summer months, has deer, horses and peacocks and a belvedere overlooking the Machico valley.
The best time to come to Santo da Serra is on a Sunday, where you can look at the market, and have your lunch at “Barraca da Tia Rita”, open every Sunday selling a standard menu of chicken, chips, fried maize and salad (a fun place to eat). Try Rita’s sangria to accompany the meal.
Bus Stop in Funchal: Teleférico/Término (4A).
Horários no 77
Ribeiro Frio
Another gorgeous place to visit! It has a trout farm and stunning walks in natural forest. You can follow either of two walks. The Balções path is a distance of 1.5km and ends in a belvedere with panoramic views of the valley of Ribeira da Metade and the parish of Faial. The levada walk goes all the way to Portela, but this will take you several hours, alternatively walk as long as you want and then come back to Riberio Frio.
