MADEIRA

Madeira in a nutshell

Portugal's most charming island is a location that keeps all its subtropical holiday promises, geologically dramatic, brimming with exotic colour, and warmed year-round by the Atlantic sun. The island of everlasting spring, the Atlantic pearl... Madeira is well-deserving of its wacky moniker and the fondness that both visitors and locals have for this small volcanic island that has so much to offer.

Madeira, which has been awarded Europe's and even the world's top island destination on numerous occasions, is a diverse spot to visit when it comes to vacationing. This is an outdoor heaven, with black sand beaches, the frothing Atlantic, towering rock cliffs, and flowing streams and irrigation systems. Wine tasting, touring beautiful botanical gardens, and seeing embroiderers and wicker weavers at work are among the quieter pleasures available. The most popular activity is hiking the levada irrigation channels, with tens of thousands donning hiking boots to explore Madeira's hidden interior.

Some journeys leave an indelible impression on the mind. Moments that elicit a feeling that reflects what we seek in a particular location. Everything is available in Madeira and Porto Santo. "What are we going to do next?" will be asked repeatedly from the very first minute. These islands cater to a wide range of visitors. Landscape, culture, gastronomy, surprises, and entertainment are not the only things to look forward to. They're a lot more. Every day of the year, they provide the fulfilment of a thousand wishes.

Dramatic natural landscape, towering mountains and tropical woods can be found on the island, as well as a kind and hospitable population that reflects the Portuguese's laid-back nature.

Madeira isn't your standard beach vacation spot; it's a place to go exploring, immerse yourself in local culture, or find serenity while climbing one of the island's many beautiful paths.

If you're looking for a peaceful vacation, Madeira has it all: world-class hotels, a beautiful environment, and a lively social scene, all at a great price.

There is more to Madeira than cruise ships

Cruise ships do certainly dock in Funchal, but the temporarily departing passengers tend to tend to stay there. The charming island capital is a lovely place where the pace of life is not too intense. Having said that, the Old Town comes alive with more vibrant vibes after midnight. Madeira has a pleasant, European nightlife. It isn't until the wee hours of the morning that anything gets started. In clubs and pubs, it's primarily locals.

In Madeira, seeing dolphins and whales is quite popular. Rigid inflatable boats account for the majority of the boats on the water. So keep an eye on everything. Swells in the Atlantic are dangerous.

Madeira's Atlantic is popular among surfers. Porto da Cruz is a great place to start if you're a beginner. Jardim do Mar attracts the pros.

Peaks and ravines can be found inland. Climbing, canyoning, and off-roading are popular activities in Madeira. Mountain bikers are put to the test by mountainous rides.

Hikers can explore the forest to its farthest depths. Simply follow the old levada, which stretches for almost 2000 kilometres. The island is connected by these thin canals, which are distinctly Madeiran.

Do more than just look at dolphins in the coastal waters. From Funchal, take a boat to swim with dolphins and make a memory that will last a lifetime!

There are many excellent hiking trails all over the island of Madeira to keep outdoorsy folk entertained.

Be amazed by an incredible place to visit

The word "Madeira" means "wood" in Portuguese, and it can refer to a cluster of four islands in a chain found off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, a Portuguese autonomous territory, or the name of the archipelago's main island.

The Madeira Archipelago is made up of two inhabited islands, Madeira Island and Porto Santo ("Holy Port") Island, as well as two uninhabited islands, Ilhas Desertas ("Uninhabited Islands") and Ilhas Selvagens ("Wild Islands").

It's surprising how much Madeira and Porto Santo differ from one another. Madeira is regarded as the "Atlantic paradise garden," with gorgeous mountains, towering cliffs, lava pools, breathtaking dramatic environment, vegetation, unique flora, waterfalls, and stoney shores.

Of course, there's also a big link with Cristiano Ronaldo who was born in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira and is now its pride and joy. His name was even given to the airport.

Madeira shares an identical time zone as Portugal's mainland and the United Kingdom. Madeira is around 600 miles from the European coast and just around half that from the African coast.

Is it possible to visit Portugal's mainland and Madeira Island in one week? Despite the fact that there airlines easily bookable for a trip from Lisbon, and indeed the notion is appealing, we do not believe it is worthwhile. Because both locations offer so much to see and do, we recommend spending at least a week on the mainland of Portugal and separately several days in Madeira if you want to see everything on your vacation.

But what is there to see that makes Madeira so appealing?

The most popular hiking paths in Madeira are undoubtedly those that go along the levadas, that are drainage ditches that generally travel through the historic UNESCO Laurissilva woods.

Hikers will love Madeira, but even those with mobility challenges should be able to fully enjoy breathtaking vistas. Many locations are easily accessible by automobile and provide breathtaking views without requiring a trek.

The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens & Madeira Botanical Garden are two of Madeira's most magnificent botanical gardens. It also draws visitors with its secret locations, such as Faj dos Padres, Rocha do Navio, and Achadas da Cruz, which can only be reached by cable car.

There are loads more options to spend a few excellent days on this outstanding island destination, so check out the links below to plan an itinerary and enjoy!