Madeira, Portugal

View of Funchal, the capital city of the Madeira Autonomous Region, Portugal. Photo: Bengt Nyman / Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Madeira is a sub-tropical archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and is an autonomous region of Portugal.

The archipelago is made up of two populated islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and two groups of unpopulated islands called the Desertas and Selvagens Islands. Geographically in Africa, it is an ultra-peripheral region of the European Union.

Known worldwide as the Islands of eternal spring, Madeira, "Ilha Jardim" {Garden Island} or "Pearl of the Atlantic", it has a mild climate throughout the entire year.

Madeira island is 500 km from the African coast and 1,000 km from the European continent, only 1.5 hr flight from mainland Portugal and about 3 hr from all the main countries in Europe.

Madeira is a popular destination for tourists of all ages.

Its constant mild climate (temperatures between 20 and 27°C) keeps the spring on Madeira all year round.

The levadas, an ingenious system of stone- and concrete-lined watercourses distributing water from the rainy north to the dry south, help flowers and crops flourish all year. That's why this island is called the Garden in the Atlantic.

The maintenance pathways for these water canals provide wonderful level trails for hiking in the mountains (up to 1861m) and through the tremendous landscape.

Cities

• Funchal – island capital and largest city in Madeira, home to tourist resorts, gorgeous panoramas, and local color.

• Santa Cruz — city and home of the Madeira airport

• Machico — second biggest city on Madeira

• Porto da Cruz — beach village in the northeastern corner of the island

• Santana

• Paul do Mar — scenic village on the west end of the island

• Calheta — town, home to one of the only working sugarcane mills / rum distilleries on Madeira

• Ribeira Brava — town

• Câmara de Lobos — The "chamber of the sealions" is a town near Funchal.

Climate

Madeira has been classified as a Mediterranean climate. Based on differences in sun exposure, humidity, and annual mean temperature, there are clear variations between north- and south-facing regions, as well as between some islands.

The islands are strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream and Canary Current, giving mild year-round temperatures; according to the Instituto de Meteorologia, the average annual temperature at Funchal weather station is 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) for the 1980–2010 period.

Get in

Madeira has the same immigration laws as the rest of Portugal, and is thereby part of the Schengen Area.

By plane

• Madeira International Airport/Funchal (FNC), formerly known as Santa Catarina Airport, about 30 minutes from Funchal, in Santa Cruz municipality.

The following airlines fly regularly to Madeira International Airport: TAP Portugal, Portugália, SATA, British Airways, Norwegian Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air France, easyJet, Finnair, First Choice Airways, Thomson, LTU, Thomas Cook, Condor, Niki, SAS, Sterling, Transavia, My Travel, Binter Canarias and Jet2.com.

If you go to/from the airport by (rental) car, ask for directions to the parking area you need; there are 7, and they are badly signposted. Note that some smaller rental companies operate from sites near but not at the airport, and provide transport between terminal and depot.

By boat

• Cruise ships port here.

• There is a car ferry between Porto Santo and Madeira, two hours one way. Ferry Service Funchal-Porto Santo.

See

• Levadas An impressive system of aqueducts built between 1461 and 1966 to bring water from the mountains to farmland.

• Cabo Girão One of the world's highest ocean cliffs (590m/1,935 ft. above sea level).

• Jardim Botânico Funchal Botanical garden.

• São Vicente Caves. Volcanic caves (grutas) where you can visit lava tubes.

• Jardim do Monte Palace Magnificent gardens of the former Monte Palace hotel.

• Jardim Orquídea Orchid garden.

• Fireworks on New Year's Eve The biggest fireworks in the world (Guinness world record 2007). Best places to see the fireworks include the tip of the marina of Funchal, on a cruise ship and Pico dos Barcelos (on the side where you can see the Funchal's marina).

• Miradouro means viewpoint. Splendid views of the island can be seen from various viewpoints, including Pico dos Barcelos, Pico do Arieiro, Pico de Facho, Curral das Freiras, Monte.

• The Laurisilva of Madeira — a special kind of subtropical forest found only on Madeira, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Do

• Hiking at Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern part of Madeira is a nature reserve with wonderful panoramic views of the Atlantic and spectacular volcanic rock formations. Many unusual species of plants are found here and are best seen from the footpath, such as the Ice Plant, Everlasting, Cardoon and many more. The hiking trail, which in recent years has been upgraded with stone steps and safety railings, can be walked comfortably with a pair of good hiking boots.

The full walk, including a circuit of the reserve at the far end, will take several hours, so carry food and drink. Down the cliff from the road before reaching the trailhead is a secluded beach called Prainha, the island’s only natural black sandy beach. Very popular with the locals, it’s great for swimming.

• Santo da Serra Golf

• Palheiro Golf

• Porto Santo Golf

• Fishing

• Sailing

• Snorkelling

• Scuba diving

• Surfing The Atlantic offers waves for moderate to experienced surfers. Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar are the most popular surfing places.

• Birdwatching

• Canyoning in Madeira is great for beginners and pro's alike. Abseiling down high watersfalls and jumping into crystal clear pools of fresh water is something you shouldn't miss.

• Horse riding.

Stay safe

Emergency Service telephone number is 112 Some police in Funchal have red armbands, this signifies that they speak another language other than Portuguese, mainly English and German. Crime figures for Madeira are very low.

In some of the larger towns and cities on Madeira there is public free Wi-Fi Internet access sponsored by the Madeiran government. You'll find a 2m tall white and blue board telling you that Wi-Fi is available. There is also free access in the airport terminal. In addition, some bars and cafés offer Internet access too.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Benidorm, Spain

Benidorm is an ideal sun destination both in summer and winter due to the mild climate where day time temperatures rarely fall below 18°C.

Berat, Albania

Berat is a city in Albania. In 2008 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town.

Montenegro

Montenegro is a country in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, home to 680,000 people. Infrastructure greatly improved since independence as Montenegro became home to numerous five-star hotels, glamorous new settlements and investments in roads, energy, water and sanitary pipelines.

Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Višegrad is a city on the banks of the river Drina in Sarajevo Region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The town is well known for its UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye is the largest of several hundred islands in the northernmost waters of Belize, Central America. This simple island is a top destination in Belize for tourists worldwide,and its lack of high-rise hotels or big city public transportation gives the island a relaxed, laid-back feel.

Sedona, United States of America

Sedona is a town in Arizona, United States of America, 120 miles north of Phoenix. Known for its beauty and serene setting amidst the beautiful Red Rocks, the town is famous for its vibrant arts community with nearly 100 art galleries and events including the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and the Sedona Jazz Festival.