Madeira: Shopping Holiday

Madeira is not the place to go if shopping is the main aim of your holiday. However, if you fancy a spot of retail therapy when you’re on holiday in Madeira there should be enough to occupy you. Madeira is famous for its embroidery and wickerwork. The wicker centre of the island is in Camacha, in the east of Madeira, where you’ll find a large shop and factory. If you want to buy embroidery when you’re on holiday in Madeira, it’s worth shopping around as quality varies. And this may be one time when it’s worth visiting the more expensive shops in Madeira.

All over Funchal, the capital of Madeira, you’ll find interior arcades lined with small businesses – try the Bazar do Povo, with its grand staircase and wooden counters. If you’re shopping in Madeira for designer clothes and shoes, you’ll find boutiques along the Rua dos Ferreiros and Rua das Pretas. You’ll also want to leave some space in your suitcase for a bottle or two of Madeira wine – Sao Francisco Wine Lodges is the main outlet for the Madeira wine company.