Around Madeira

  Bus transport is changing in Madeira, with the aim of providing a modern network with integrated ticketing under the name SIGA . Starting on 1st July, on routes historically operated by SAM, EACL and Rodoeste, you'll start to see new white buses with the SIGA branding. HF buses will retain their present yellow livery for now, with an additional SIGA logo. The initial ticketing changes will mostly affect pass-holders as through-ticketing won't be available to start with. Eventually, there will be one ticketing system covering Madeira and Porto Santo, but the changes are being implemented in phases. The Getting Around page has been updated accordingly. Also, it has been announced in the press that public transport in Madeira and Porto Santo will be free on 1st July. That could go either way...

According to local media, the popular Levada do Furado trail (PR10), which has been closed after significant damage in March caused by a landslide, has reopened between Ribeiro Frio and Portela - but with a detour that bypasses the damaged section of the levada.  Owing to the extent of the reconstruction required and the difficulty of getting materials to the site, the original route is likely to be closed for some time. The alternative route, which diverges approximately 7.2km from Ribeiro Frio before returing to rejoin the levada at Lamaceiros, has been signposted, but involves a climb over the Pico do Suna  and adds around 1km to the journey, making it a rather different proposition to the largely flat original route.  The IFCN website had not (as of 8th May 2024) been updated with the new information.

From April 3rd to September 13th, the Centro de Estudos de História do Atlântico - Alberto Vieira (Funchal) has an exhibition of archival material relating to the history of Madeiran embroidery.  On show will be material from the records of the former manufacturer João Eduardo de Sousa, Lda., which are in the process of conservation, as well as material from four catalogues documenting embroidery and clothing from the latter part of the 19th century through to the 1940s. Centro de Estudos de História do Atlântico - Alberto Vieira is located R. das Mercês 8, Funchal and its listed opening hours are 9.00am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

New charges will be introduced in 2025 for visitors to some popular tourist destinations on the island. This has been in the works for some time - already there are charges at Cabo Girão and Ponta de São Lourenço : the charge for the latter will be increased in 2025. The additional locations likely to be affected are: Balcões Pico do Areeiro Rabaçal  The Rabaçal area is the location of a number of very popular walks including the Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco. Increasing numbers are causing problems, particular with parking, and it is hoped that the charges will help control numbers and raise revenue to meet the increased level of maintenance required. However, the charges will be very modest - around 2 euros - and local residents will be exempt, so the results remain to be seen. It has also been announced that a 2 euro charge will be levied for each passenger disembarking cruise ships in Funchal from 2025.

The ferry service to Porto Santo is back in operation following its annual maintenance, but the future of the air service remains unclear. Binter Canarias had a concession from the (national) government to operate the air route which has been the subject of last-minute and short-term extensions. The concession was most recently supposed to end on 24th February, but has now been extended until April 21st. The long-term arrangements are still unknown.

  There's a series of concerts  taking place roughly monthly in four of Funchal's museums: the Cidade do Açúcar Museum , the Henrique e Francisco Franco Museum , the Natural History Museum and Monte Station . The programme can be found here where tickets can also be purchased.  Alternatively, tickets (5 euros) can be purchased from the ticket office at the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias.