DIS2025

Local Guide

Hello and welcome to Madeira!

There are plenty of guides talking about our beautiful trails, our nice beaches, our delicious food, etc. We put together this guide to help you plan your time in Madeira, highlighting some things that you probably won’t find in other guides. How to order a coffee in Portugal? Where to find a vegetarian restaurant? Why poncha is more than just juice?

We hope to update this guide during the conference, so if you have specific requests, ask an Student Volunteer or email the local chairs local@dis2025.acm.org .

https://viata.ai/event/dis2025We focus mainly on Funchal and places near the venue, but urge you to go explore the full Island. If you are travelling in or out of Funchal, the following interactive map shows some of our favourite places https://viata.ai/event/dis2025

map of Funchal island with points of interest marked.

The rest of this guide is divided into:

  • Official and Unofficial Guides/Maps/Itineraries
  • Getting around in Madeira
  • Local Food & Drinks
  • Coffee!!! Sugar!!! Food!!!
  • Food Allergies / Special Diets / Vegetarian / Vegan
  • FAQ & Tips

Official and Unofficial Guides/Maps/Itineraries

Main Guide

  • Visit Madeira is the main guide and updated regularly by the Madeiran Promotion Bureau. You can find information about the latest events, activities you can do, places to stay, etc.

Guided Tours and/or Levadas

Self-guided – Community Guides and Blogs

Self-guided – Maps

Self-guided – Itineraries

Getting around in Madeira

Funchal is very walkable (although we have some hills), and the center where most attractions and restaurants are located, can be traversed in 15 minutes. Hotels are normally located in the center or to the west of Funchal.

Public Transport in Funchal

The transport network in Funchal may not be extensive, but it covers most places, it’s cheap and on time. You can buy single ride tickets (on the bus, using cash) or get a rechargeable card for easier travel. Cards are available at bus stations, some hotels, and kiosks in Funchal. You can find bus schedules and routes on the official website or their app, but we personally prefer to use Google Maps.

  • Routes 1 and 2 (among others) service most of the hotels in Funchal, so they appear very often. Locals use public transports (specially during rush hours) so buses are often crowded (but not full).
  • Public transport for places outside of Funchal exist but are more limited.

Ride-hailing Services & Taxis

Ride-hailing services are limited to certain authorised services (e.g., Bolt, Rumus, Uber). Due to this limitation, there are less drivers; trying to book a service at a certain time of day might be challenging.

Some of these services are connected to taxi services, and will appear as an option when using the app. Taxis can also be requested by calling them directly (your hotel will easily do this for you). You can also search for the taxi operator (central de taxi) closest to you.

If you are traveling as a group, shuttle services or private driver services can also be booked online.

Driving in Madeira

If you are renting a car but planning to stay mostly in Funchal, you won’t get full use of it. Car rentals can be pricey during Summer, and free parking can be hard to find. Public/private transports will get to most places in Funchal worth seeing. If you are planning on exploring the Island, then we definitely recommend renting a car. Popular levadas, hikes and beaches are outside of Funchal, and public transport for these places is mostly used for locals.

Cities and Towns in Madeira are connected by a series of express roads (see https://madeira-travel.madere-leguide.com/madeira-roads); they are relatively easy to drive, free and fast (except for rush hour and when accidents happen).

When getting to rural areas, roads tend to be more difficult (being narrow, steep and winding) but still manageable. Take a look at these resources for an idea of what driving is like:

Local Food & Drinks

Starters

  • Bolo do Caco Don’t let the name fool you—this cake (”bolo”) isn’t sweet (although it has sweet potato). It’s a warm, chewy flatbread, cooked on a hot basalt stone (”caco”) and split open to contain a generous layer of garlic butter. Locals munch on it as a starter or a snack, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why. You can also have it in sandwiches.

Soups

  • Sopa de Trigo (Wheat Soup) On chilly island evenings, nothing hits the spot like this thick, warm soup. Packed with vegetables, pork, and buckwheat, it’s a staple around holiday time—but you’ll crave it year-round.
  • Sopa de Tomate e Cebola Don’t underestimate this rustic island soup. This soup is a Madeiran classic, made with simple ingredients—ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, and herbs—all simmered into a cozy, flavorful broth. But the magic comes at the end: a poached egg gently cracked into the soup and a slice of crusty bread soaking it all up. It’s pure comfort, especially on a misty evening.
  • Caldo Verde This “green broth” might be a mainland favorite, but its beloved in Madeira too. Made with potatoes, garlic, olive oil, and finely shredded collard greens (couve galega), it’s the kind of simple dish that hits the soul. A slice of chouriço floating on top adds smoky depth, and it’s best served with crusty bread for dipping.

Fish

  • Atum (Tuna) Madeirans know how to do tuna right. Whether it’s in a noodle soup, raw like sashimi, stewed with onions, or grilled just until medium-rare, tuna here is always top-notch. Pro tip: go for the grilled steak version—it’s a must.
  • Peixe-Espada Preto (Black Scabbard Fish) This deep-sea fish may look a bit scary, but it’s a local delicacy. It’s often grilled in fillets, and while tourists might pair it with fruit like banana or passion fruit, locals love it in sandwiches.
  • Lapas (Limpets) Grilled shellfish with a buttery garlic sauce and a splash of lemon—think of it as Madeira’s answer to oysters. Simple, fresh, and totally addictive.
  • Other Local Fish The ocean is generous here. Try bodião (parrot fish), espada (black scabbard), cavala (mackerel), chicharro (horse mackerel), or gaiado (skipjack tuna).

Meat

  • Espetada (Skewer) Beef never tasted better than when it’s cubed, salted, and skewered onto a bay laurel branch. Grilled over open flames, the aroma alone is mouthwatering.
  • Picado Grab your friends and a fork—this dish is made for sharing. Picture tender cubes of beef sautéed in garlic and wine, served on a giant platter with fries and olives scattered all over. Everyone dives in, no plates necessary.
  • Carne Vinha d’Alhos This marinated pork dish is a Christmas tradition, but you’ll find it all year round. The meat is soaked in wine, vinegar, garlic, and spices, then slow-cooked until it’s melt-in-your-mouth perfect. Often tucked into crusty bread rolls—just heavenly.

Sides

  • Batatas (Potatoes) Madeirans make a distinction: “semilha” is the regular potato, usually imported, often fried and topped with garlic and oregano. “Batata doce,” on the other hand, refers to sweet potatoes—especially delicious when roasted whole with a drizzle of sugarcane honey.
  • Milho Cozido (Boiled Corn) This humble dish of cornmeal and cabbage was once peasant food, but today it’s a comforting classic. You’ll find it hot with a fish stew or cut into crispy fried cubes to go with grilled meats.

Desserts & Sweets

  • Bolo de Mel (Honey Cake) Dense, dark, and full of holiday spice, this traditional cake is rich with honey, dried fruit, nuts, and lard. It’s so durable it can last an entire year—and it only gets better with time (especially paired with a glass of Madeira wine).
  • Queijadas These little sweet cheese tarts are delicate, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect with a coffee or as a mid-hike reward.
  • Local Fruits Madeira has a lot of delicious fruits that you have to try, starting with Bananas, a key export of the Island and known to be small and sweeter than regular bananas. Other than that, try: maracujá (passion fruit), papaia (papaya), anona (chirimoya/custard apple), and nêspera (loquat).
  • Rebuçados de Funcho (Fennel Candies) Funchal’s name comes from Funcho (Fennel) which predominantly covered its bays. Candies made from Funcho can be found around the island, and can be used to calm a cough or eaten at any time in the day. You can also find other candies made from local fruits.

Not enough desserts and sweets? Visit this page for more https://blog.madeira.best/22-madeira-traditional-sweets-you-must-try

Sandwiches & Snacks

  • Prego no Bolo do Caco Imagine a juicy steak sandwich, but instead of boring bread, it’s tucked into a garlicky bolo do caco. That’s the prego. Often served dripping with mustard or a fried egg on top, it’s the late-night favorite after a Poncha-fueled evening.
  • Sandes de Carne de Vinho e Alhos This is the sandwich that means business. Made from pork marinated in garlic, wine, vinegar, and bay leaves, the meat is slow-cooked until it’s bursting with flavor. Then it’s slapped into fresh bread and served hot.
  • Tremoços (Lupin Beans) The ultimate bar snack. These yellow beans are brined and served chilled, perfect for nibbling with a cold Coral beer. Pop one in your mouth, bite, and squeeze out the inside. Salty, satisfying, and addictive.

Non-alcoholic Drinks

  • Brisa Maracujá Forget Coke—this fizzy passion fruit soda is the go-to soft drink in Madeira. It’s bright, tangy, and pairs weirdly well with everything, especially seafood. You’ll start craving it the minute you leave the island.
  • Laranjada Another local soft drink classic, this bright orange soda tastes like summer in a bottle. It’s been around forever and is a nostalgic sip for most Madeirans.

Alcoholic Drinks

  • Poncha The island’s official welcome drink. The authentic version is a potent mix of sugarcane rum, lemon juice, and white sugar —no ice, no extras. Stir it with a caralhinho (”small cock”, yes, that’s really what the mixing stick is called) and toast like a fisherman. Local legend says it cures sore throats, too.
  • Nikita Think float-meets-cocktail: pineapple, white wine or beer, and ice cream blended into a creamy, boozy treat. It’s dessert and drink in one. And if you’re not drinking? There’s a non-alcoholic version just as tasty.
  • Coral Beer The island’s very own beer. Light, crisp, and super refreshing—especially with grilled fish or a plate of lapas. Try the Coral Tónica or Coral Sem Álcool if you’re feeling adventurous (or responsible).
  • Madeira Wine Of course, you can’t leave without a glass (or bottle) of Madeira’s iconic fortified wine. Whether you go for dry (great as an aperitif) or sweet (perfect for dessert), it’s steeped in centuries of history and flavor. Tours and tastings abound…
  • Pé de Cabra Don’t let the name (“goat’s foot”) scare you—it’s actually a rich, velvety drink that locals adore. Made with Madeira wine, dark beer, cocoa powder, sugar, lemon peel, and a touch of powdered chocolate or condensed milk, it’s blended into a creamy, boozy treat. Think of it as Madeira’s grown-up chocolate milkshake. If you ordered it, we don’t take any responsibility for your actions.

Coffee!!! Sugar!!! Food!!!

Looking for some extra caffeine to help you finish that presentation? Need some time alone with a piece of cake, a book and a view? Want to get out of the venue for a lazier lunch?

Ordering Coffee

The only Starbucks is in the airport (after the security check), so you will have to get used to ordering in Portuguese. Luckily, we love coffee over here, and love giving it weird names, different from the mainland.

Check the following guides for a crash course in coffee ordering:

Favorite coffee/dessert places close to the venue

Most cafés, restaurants and bars will pour respectable coffee, but here some of favorites:

Restaurants near the venue

Simply put, there are too many restaurants that we like to put here, so we are writing down some tips:

For lunch, some places have a prato do dia (daily dish) or combined menus that are cheaper than other things in the menu (à la carte). It’s common that these places also have different prices at night. For weekly or daily menus, most restaurants update their facebook or instagram accounts. For fixed menus, you can find the menu on the restaurant’s website, on Tripadvisor or Fork

Most restaurants accept walk-ins easily. If you are a big group, then it’s better to call ahead or to book through a service. Using the Fork app to book ahead, will in some cases (depending on the offer) give you discounts making some fancier restaurants more affordable.

Around the venue there are several restaurants, and you are a short walk from the Funchal center where you will find many more.

Ordering Food

Stuck at the hotel finishing slides?

  • Bolt Food
  • Uber Eats
  • Glovo
  • Bring Eat!
  • Some restaurants might have their own delivery services (but its rare nowadays)

Snacks? Ingredients to cook?

  • Supermarkets like Pingo Doce or Continente
  • Chen Supermarket (near the venue) for Asian products
  • Small supermarket (more like convenience stores) like Amanhecer, Mercadinho and Spar

Food Allergies / Special Diets / Vegetarian / Vegan

Food labelling laws follow European regulations. This requires the 14 major food allergens to be labeled if they are present in any pre-packaged foods. They must be clearly identified on the ingredient list with a clear reference to the allergen present, such as milk, wheat, egg, peanuts, etc. Restaurants should also present this information if you ask or if you show them a food allergy card.

Industrial kitchens (e.g., hotels) or restaurants often highlight vegetarian/vegan options, but might not indicate allergens. Be proactive in asking for help in deciphering menus. Most restaurants do not mind switching ingredients if they can. Some have gluten-free options on request (e.g., gluten free bread).

Waiters might not be aware of allergens/special diets if they did not get training for it. For example, it’s common to have to explain what gluten is. Politely ask to speak to the chef directly if you feel it is best. Even though restaurants offer gluten-free dishes, beware of potential cross-contamination risks.

More traditional restaurants are lax regarding menus. Some items might be mislabeled (e.g., a vegetable soup sometimes has meat; “sopa de trigo” (wheat soup) normally has meat) or use ingredients that are not clear in the description (e.g., frying in pork lard; using chicken stock in the preparation of rice sides). Again, be proactive and ask questions.

Dietary Alternatives

Supermarkets like Pingo Doce (https://www.pingodoce.pt/) and Continente (https://www.continente.pt/) have special sections for dietary alternative products (e.g., gluten-free products, meat replacements, snacks, etc.). They are pretty common and can be found around the Island.

In Funchal, there are also several food stores specialising in dietary alternatives:

Vegetarian/vegan Friendly Restaurants

Most Portuguese restaurants will have at least one or two vegetarian/vegan options. Recently, several new Asian (Chinese/Japanese/Indian/Nepalese/etc.) restaurants have opened, with several vegetarian and vegan options. The following list features some vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurants (as in they have more than two options…):

FAQ & Tips

Weather in July?

Summer is the most popular time of year in Madeira due to our warm weather. Average temperatures at this time of year are around 23ºC during the day, and 20ºC at night. Madeira has microclimates, meaning that it’s normal to have a bright sunny day on one side of the island, and rain and wind on the other side.

What can I do about mosquitos?

One of the downsides of living in a tropical humid climate is that we have mosquitos. They are more prevalent in some areas (e.g., river beds) and normally more annoying than dangerous. Most locals use repellents like Previpiq, which can be bought at the pharmacy or supermarkets like Pingo Doce and Continente.

Here with family and need babysitting?

Here are a few services, with different requirements (e.g., full day, minimum hours):

Avoid buying fruits and vegetables at the big Lavradores Market or supermarkets if you can.

Fruits and vegetables at the large market are sometimes more expensive and sellers often trick tourists (e.g., let you taste ripe fruits, but sell you worst products). Fruits and vegetables in supermarkets are most times imported (if local, there will be an indication or sticker that they are from Madeira). If possible, support small shops (frutarias) or vendors, as they have local products.

If you want some treats from the island to take home, here’s our favorites:

Get some cookies from Fábrica de Santo António – trust us on this one. Our favourites are Bolachas Quadrada, Broas de Gengibre, Paciências and the iconic Broas de Mel de Cana.

The best Bolo de Mel is always the one made by our grandma, but since we can’t have enough for everyone, we recommend either the one from Sociedade dos Engenho da Calheta or the one from Pereira d’Oliveira (Vinhos) or Fabrica de Santo António, sold in Funchal.

Fennel candies (or other flavors) are perfect to share and can be found in supermarkets. Supermarkets usually have a section with local products (e.g., jams, honey). They also have bottled poncha, but it will never quite be like the fresh one… You will just have to come back.