Area Code

  The country code for Portugal is 351; the area code for Madeira is 291.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

    Most ATMs (available 24 hr. a day) are found in Funchal. But there are also some ATMs in towns throughout the island.

Business Hours Shops

Shops are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm. They're closed Sunday. Municipal buildings are open Monday to Friday 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 5:30pm.

All banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm.

Consulates & Embassies

United States:
Rua Alfãndega 10 (Tel. 291-235636), off Avenida do Infante, Funchal.

United Kingdom:
Avenida Zarco 2, second floor, Funchal (Tel. 291-212860)
E-mail: brit.confunchal@mail.EUnet.pt )
Web:   http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1053700030207

South Africa:
Largo Antonio Nobre, Madeira Carlton Hotel, Funchal (Tel. 291-223521)
E-mail: embsa@embaixada-africadosul.pt )

Brazil:
Rua Ponte S. Lazaro nr. 7, first floor, Funchal (Tel. 291-227250)

Venezuela:
Rua Aljube nr. 7, second floor, Funchal (Tel. 291-226107)

Holand:
Rua Leichlingen nr.5, Funchal (Tel. 291-703803)

Australia: (in Lisbon, Portugal)
Web:  http://www.portugal.embassy.gov.au/lbon/LawFunchal.html

Drugstores / Chemists

 Drugstores (chemists) are open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 3 to 9pm. The rotation emergency, night service, and Sunday schedules are posted on the door of all drugstores.

Emergencies

Call tel. 112 for a general emergency,
tel. 291-222022 for the police,
tel. 291-741115 for the Red Cross, and
tel. 291-705600 for a hospital emergency.

Hospital -- The island's largest hospital is the Hospital Distrital do Funchal, Cruz de Carvalho (tel. 291-705600).

Lost Property

Check at the island's main police station on Rua João de Deus in Funchal (tel. 291-222022).

Newspapers/Magazines

   The island stocks a good selection of such English-language publications as Newsweek, Time, and the International Herald Tribune, as well as periodicals in French, German, and Spanish. Especially useful is a locally produced English-language publication, the Madeira Island Bulletin, distributed free at the tourist office and in many of the island's more visible hotels, which features descriptions of island activities and lists special events.

Police

  Dial tel. 291-222022.

Post Office

  There are several postoffices around the Island. The main Post Office in Funchal is the Zarco Post Office, Avenida Zarco 5-7, 9000-069 (tel. 291-202831), near the tourist office. From here, you can also place long-distance phone calls (without steep hotel surcharges) and send telegrams, faxes, and telexes. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8pm, and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

Other post offices offering the same services are Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian (open Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm), near the Monument of the Infante Dom Henríque; Monumental, on Estrada Monumental, near the Lido swimming pool (Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm); and Mercado, Rua do Arcipreste, near the Municipal Market (Mon-Fri 8:30am-6:30pm). Signs in the center of Funchal that read CORREIOS point the way to the nearest post office, or look for mailboxes on the street.

Safety

  In terms of crime statistics, Madeira is safer than mainland Portugal, especially Lisbon. However, as in any area that attracts tourists, there is a criminal element that preys on visitors. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are the major villains. Protect your valuables, as you would at any resort.

Taxes

  Madeira imposes no special taxes other than the value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services purchased in Portugal.