🇵🇹 Funchal, Portugal
Alto Lido
📍 Hotel Baía Azul Rua Quinta Calaça, 1 , Funchal, 9004-530
Photo: official website
Your stay — Alto Lido
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Funchal.
The Property — Alto Lido
The Alto Lido is a straightforward, no-fuss four-star perched above Funchal’s lido strip. It’s a solid, mid-range base for sun-seekers: think white tiles, a palm-fringed outdoor pool, and sea-view balconies that face the Atlantic. It suits couples and older travellers who want reliable comfort near the promenade without the fuss of a resort complex.
Chronicles of Funchal
Funchal was founded in 1424 by the Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco, who named it after the abundant fennel (funcho) growing there. Its prosperity grew from sugar and later Madeira wine, which built the town’s baroque churches and grand manor houses. The 19th-century brought British influence – tea, cricket, and villa-lined hillsides. Today Funchal is a cosmopolitan harbour city that balances cruise-ship tourism with a quiet, walkable old town of cobbled lanes, azulejo-tiled pavements and a year-round spring-like climate.
Best Time to Visit
Full Funchal guide →Best months
May, September: reliably warm (22-25°C), low rainfall, and manageable crowds before the summer crush. Good for hiking or lounging.
Peak / festival surge
August: school holidays push hotel occupancy above 90%, prices spike 20-30%. The Atlantic Festival (fireworks and classical music on Saturdays) and the end of the Madeira Wine Run draw visitors.
Budget shoulder season
October–November: cooler (18-21°C) but sunny, hotel rates drop 30-40%, flights cheaper. The Madeira Wine Festival in September/October is a draw but not a crowd nightmare.
Weather & packing
Funchal’s microclimate means sun on the coast can turn to drizzle within minutes – a lightweight waterproof jacket is essential. Pack layers: shorts and T-shirts for midday, but always a cardigan or jumper for evening breezes.
Live City Briefing — Funchal
- Funchal’s cable car to Monte is operating normally after winter maintenance, but the toboggan ride now requires advance booking online – walk-on tickets are often sold out by 11am.
- The Zona Velha (old town) has a new pedestrianised square near Rua de Santa Maria, with extended terrace seating until midnight, but traffic on the Avenida do Mar remains disrupted due to ongoing sea-wall repairs.
- A new direct flight route from Manchester to Funchal (Ryanair, twice weekly) started in June 2026, making July arrivals busier at peak hours.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alto Lido, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above 3) to minimize potential noise from the street, as Rua Quinta Calaça is a relatively busy street. Consider rooms on the east-facing side of the hotel for a better view of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be more prone to noise from the street and the hotel's service entrance.
Best views
East-facing rooms on floors 4-5 for views of the surrounding area
Quietest floors
3-5
🔊 Noise notes
Potential noise from Rua Quinta Calaça, which is a residential street with some traffic, and the hotel's service entrance, which may be used by staff and deliveries.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's free parking, but note that spaces may be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a balcony, as it's a great way to enjoy the views of the surrounding area and get some fresh air.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alto Lido
free for up to 2 devices, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary access to PressReader, no physical papers
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 09:00, late check-out until 12:00 for €50
available 24/7, €5 per bag per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries, adapted rooms available on request
valet parking available, €25 per night, nearest public car park is Parque da Cidade, €1.50 per hour, 24/7, EV charging available at the hotel
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person, per night
Deposit & card hold: €50 advance deposit + €100 incidental card hold at check-in for stays on weekdays, €100 advance deposit + €150 incidental card hold at check-in for stays on weekends
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capela da Ajuda (328 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Igreja da Nazaré (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Capela de Nossa Senhora do Amparo (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Capela da Nazaré (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Suite Hotel Eden Mar — 650 m · ~8 min walk
Jardim Panorâmico — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Arquivo e História Adelino Rodrigues — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Ilhapark — 143 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 288 m · ~4 min walk
Lido — 666 m · ~8 min walk
Spar — 377 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Euros are the local currency; you can exchange at banks, currency exchange offices (Casas de Moeda), or withdraw from ATMs; avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist areas as the rates are unfavorable
Credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments, are widely accepted; mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted in many places
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated; 5-10% in restaurants and bars, €1-2 for taxi drivers, and €1-5 for hotel staff
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (small coffee) at a local café costs around €1-1.50
A traditional Portuguese sandwich or pastel de nata (egg tart) at a local bakery or café costs around €3-5
A main course at a local restaurant or food truck costs around €8-12
Street food is found at the Mercado dos Lavradores and in the streets around the hotel
Local supermarkets like Lidl, Continente, and Pingo Doce are within walking distance
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like the Mercado dos Lavradores and high-street stores like H&M
The cheapest way to get around is by bus (€2-3 for a single ticket) or on foot/bike; a day pass for public transport costs around €5-6; from the airport, take the bus (€6-7) or taxi (€20-25)
Buy a rechargeable public transport card (Zapping) for frequent travelEat at local markets or food trucks for affordable mealsAvoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist areas
Good to know — Funchal
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Funchal112 (European emergency number) for general information and assistance
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Funchal, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alto Lido
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 288 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Lido — 666 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal City Centre (near Living Funchal Bloco-III)
💡 A hop-on hop-off service that allows you to get off near your hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 Buy tickets on the bus or at the bus station; then take a taxi or walk to the hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Living Funchal Bloco-III
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher prices during peak hours
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 A cheaper option, but with less frequent departures
About Funchal
Wikipedia ↗
Funchal (Portuguese pronunciation: [fũˈʃal] ), officially City of Funchal (Portuguese: Cidade do Funchal), is the capital, largest city and a municipality in Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of 105,795, making it the sixth largest cit...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alto Lido?
Request a room on a higher floor (above 3) to minimize potential noise from the street, as Rua Quinta Calaça is a relatively busy street. Consider rooms on the east-facing side of the hotel for a better view of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alto Lido?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be more prone to noise from the street and the hotel's service entrance.
Is Alto Lido noisy?
Potential noise from Rua Quinta Calaça, which is a residential street with some traffic, and the hotel's service entrance, which may be used by staff and deliveries.
Which rooms have the best views at Alto Lido?
East-facing rooms on floors 4-5 for views of the surrounding area
What are insider tips for staying at Alto Lido?
Take advantage of the hotel's free parking, but note that spaces may be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. Request a room with a balcony, as it's a great way to enjoy the views of the surrounding area and get some fresh air.
What time is check-in at Alto Lido?
Check-in at Alto Lido is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alto Lido have Wi-Fi?
free for up to 2 devices, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alto Lido?
€2.50 per person, per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Alto Lido?
A traditional Portuguese sandwich or pastel de nata (egg tart) at a local bakery or café costs around €3-5
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alto Lido?
The cheapest way to get around is by bus (€2-3 for a single ticket) or on foot/bike; a day pass for public transport costs around €5-6; from the airport, take the bus (€6-7) or taxi (€20-25)
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
May, September: reliably warm (22-25°C), low rainfall, and manageable crowds before the summer crush. Good for hiking or lounging.
Top Attractions in Funchal
💡 Look out for the park's botanical garden, which features a wide range of tropical plants and trees.
💡 Take a guided tour to learn more about Ronaldo's early life and career, and see some of his personal belongings on display.
💡 Look out for the centre's beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings.
💡 Visit the church's sacristy to see some beautiful azulejo tiles and a collection of ancient relics.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best views and a spectacular sight.