Funchal has a fantastic historical heritage, she is over 500 years old but you still have all the conveniences of a modern city. Wonderful museums, beautiful old streets, magnificent churches, pretty squares plus, if you need to buy something, Funchal has 3 modern shopping centres, (2 also have cinemas) where you can shop till you drop or watch a movie (all Hollywood films simply have Portuguese sub-titles).
Take a bus or cable car to one or both of the world famous gardens of Monte and the Funchal Botanical gardens overlooking the city, (both are visible from your balcony), or just stroll down the road to enjoy the gardens of Quinta das Cruzes, the English Church, the Jardim Municipal and Santa Catarina park. Play golf on the beautiful Palheiro (18 hole) or Santo da Serra (27 hole) courses, go snorkelling, try hang- gliding, gorging or sailing, take a cruise on a catamaran or a replica of Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria and see Whales & Dolphins. Maybe try your hand at deep sea fishing for Marlin & Tuna or catch the twice daily ferry to visit the nearby island of Porto Santo with its 9km golden sandy beach and yet another 18 hole golf course.
If you want to say out till the early hours Funchal also has a growing night-life with many new bars and discos opening and with late winter night time temperatures still in the mid to low teens no need for an overcoat when you are outside. In summer the night-time temperatures do not usually fall much below 20, even at 4am!
If you need to relax, unwind & recharge your batteries after a long night out there are numerous 5 star spas located in hotels both in Funchal & around the island most of which are open to non-residents for a moderate one off daily or weekly fee.With various festivals throughout the year including Carnival (February / March), Flower (April), Atlantic (June), Jazz (July), Wine (September), Film (November) plus spectacular Christmas decorations (mid Nov - Early Jan) and record breaking new year fireworks (Grandstand views from your balcony and terrace) there is not really a bad time to visit Madeira.